The Pack Is Back

The guest books one dog on the reservation… and arrives with six. Fur and a chewed-up couch later, you learn why pet policies aren’t just for decoration.

The Booking: Sounds Innocent Enough

When you’ve hosted as long as I have, you learn to read between the lines. You can spot red flags in a booking request like a sixth sense. But this one? Totally clean.

Let’s call her Lisa. She booked a cozy weekend at my two-bedroom cottage in a quiet neighborhood, big fenced yard, pet-friendly with approval. She said it was just her and her support dog for a quiet weekend away.

One dog? Fine. The rules were listed:

●      No dogs on the furniture.

●      Pick up poop from the yard.

●      One pet max.

●      $100 damage deposit, refundable if all is clean.

She confirmed everything. I sent the door code. Smooth, easy, uneventful.

Until arrival day.

Arrival: And Then There Were Six

It started with the ping ping ping of my driveway cam. First alert. Then another. Then six in a row.

I opened the app expecting a basic “guest arriving” shot.

Instead, I got the entire cast of 101 Dalmatians Live Action, Low Budget Edition.

Out popped Lisa. And then:

1. A lab mix.

2. A fluffy mutt that looked part wolf, part wet mop.

3. Two small terriers running in chaotic circles.

4. A big brown pit mixed with a plastic cone on its head.

5. A tiny, bug-eyed pup that jumped out of the driver’s window.

   
   
   
   

Lisa stood smiling as the dogs swarmed the front yard, tail-wagging and scrambling around her like she was their pack leader. She bent to pet each one and didn’t look surprised at all.

No leashes. No bags. No shame.

I stared at the screen, blinking. Was this a rescue operation? Did she break down on the highway and gather strays?

I took screenshots immediately and opened the Airbnb app to message her:

“Hi Lisa, just a reminder that your reservation was approved for one dog. My camera is showing six pets on the property. Can you please clarify?”

No immediate response.

The footage continued. One of the dogs jumped into the flower bed. Another ran full-speed toward the side gate.

I documented everything.

The Evening Barking Mess

That evening, I continued watching the motion alerts as the dogs paced around the yard. Neighbors complained that barking could be heard from the sidewalk. But Lisa had clearly settled in with no plans to correct the situation.

Still no reply from Lisa.

I messaged again through Airbnb:

“Lisa, please respond. I need confirmation about the number of animals staying in the unit. The reservation only allowed one. We’re now well over that limit, and this needs to be addressed immediately.”

Finally, hours later, she responded:

“They’re all emotional support. I didn’t think it would be a problem since it’s a pet-friendly listing. We’re being super respectful!”

At that point, I contacted Airbnb support directly, explained the violation of the pet policy, showed the video evidence, and requested to terminate the reservation due to policy breach.

Airbnb agreed and initiated the process to have the guest vacate the property.

The Checkout: A Trail of Fur and Fury

When Lisa left, she didn’t say a word. No note. No apology. No heads-up that she’d basically turned the house into a cross between a chew toy and a haunted forest of fur.

When my cleaner arrived that afternoon, I received the full report:

I arrived in gloves. You could smell the dog. The good couch? Hair embedded in the fabric. Rug by the bed? Destroyed. And someone had let a dog dig—dig!—at the corner of the back door.

Even the air felt sticky.

I took photos. Every room, every stain, every “gift” left in the yard. My cleaner suggested burning sage. I suggested burning the couch.

I filed a claim through Airbnb with the pics. She tried to dispute it, claiming her dogs were “angels” and that “no real damage occurred.” Thankfully, I had receipts, timestamps, and video.

Airbnb sided with me. The deposit didn’t cover everything, but it helped.

Lessons from the Dogpocalypse

Here’s what we tell other hosts now, especially new ones: At NSM Staging & Design, we empower hosts to handle unexpected situations with confidence by sharing real lessons from real hosting disasters.

Don’t take “just one dog” at face value.

If they say they’re bringing a pet, clarify the details early. Politely confirm how many pets they’re bringing and whether it’s a service animal.

 While you can’t ask for photos or deny service animals, you can outline house rules, pet limits, cleaning expectations, and applicable fees.

Make your pet policy crystal clear in your listing. Spell out weight limits, breed restrictions (if allowed in your jurisdiction), and how many pets are allowed per stay. Booking sites expects consistency, so what’s in your listing should match what you enforce.

Need Pet Rule Template?

Charge a pet fee & hold a pet deposit

Put your pet rules in writing

Send a follow-up message after booking with clear expectations, even if they’re already in your listing. That way you’ve got proof that they saw them.

Don’t be afraid to cancel

Use the platform to contact Airbnb support and report any immediate policy violation. If something feels off, act before it escalates.

Use security cameras and noise alerts

Outdoor-only security cameras (never facing private spaces or doors) and pet-alert systems give you a real-time sense of what’s happening. They’re essential for protecting your space and your case.

Protect your furniture

Pet covers, waterproof pads, even limiting pet access to certain rooms it’s all fair game.

 

Final Thought

The next time someone says, “Don’t worry, he’s just a little support animal.”

We don’t worry, we document, clarify, and pet-proof. Because at NSM Staging & Design, we know experience is the best trainer.

Until then, I’ve got a new sign on the front gate:

One dog allowed. Two is pushing it. Six? Hope you're bringing a mop, a priest, and a peace offering.