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Despite hurdles to find a pet friendly place–it seems as though the rental industry may need to change to accommodate the demands as pet owning households increase.

Look what a recent survey of renters around the country found:

Nearly 90 percent of the renters who responded said they have a pet.

Of the renters surveyed that do not currently own a pet, more than half plan to become pet owners within the next year.

More than 80 percent of respondents said a pet-friendly policy played a major role in where they chose to live and 30 percent sought out an apartment in close proximity to desirable pet amenities such as dog parks, walking trails and a veterinary office.

As devoted pet owners, renters are holding on to their felines and canines even when faced with obstacles during their apartment search. While the majority of respondents experienced difficulty finding an apartment that allowed pets, 89 percent said they were not put in a position where they had to choose between their beloved animal and a place to live.

Apartments.com has seen an upward trend of more and more properties welcoming pets. For survey respondents who said they were forced to give up their pet(s), the two main causes were identified as not being able to find an apartment with a pet-friend policy (65%) or not being able to afford the pet deposit (27%).

More than half of renters surveyed said they paid more than $200 for a pet deposit, and nearly 60 percent said they would be less likely to rent an apartment requiring a pet deposit.

Millions of renters from around the country are in need of pet-friendly apartments. In 2008, more than 11 million searches for apartments that allow cats and dogs were conducted on Apartments.com.

I’ve discussed this issue previously and suggested renters construct a Pet Resume.

In addition, you might want to read this post on the Mortgage Crisis & Homeless Pets.

To be successful in finding a rental, make sure you ask permission. Many landlords will accommodate you but some have a strict policy of “no pets allowed.”

If you have plans to get a pet make sure to check that it is okay before signing the lease.

If you are seeking a pet-friendly place, begin your search online. Most online apartment search sites allow users to conduct a pet-friendly apartment search.

Be sure to ask your potential landlord if there are any size or weight limitations. Some buildings may even prohibit specific breeds.

Plan on paying a pet deposit. Some properties charge an additional deposit to renters with pets, or may even ask for a monthly fee for pet rent.

When visiting a potential rental, confirm any additional costs associated with owning a pet. Remember to also ask if the deposit is refundable or non-refundable.

Will this mean that the rental industry will change?

Let’s hope so.

How are you doing on that tooth brush assignment?

Another big issue pet owners face is the lack of cooperation for nail trimming.

I’ve seen a lot of “drama dogs” that get reinforced by accident and so escalate into more non-cooperative behavior.

One of my dogs hated his tails trimmed but he let me do it because he was always rewarded.

I’d break the sessions down into smaller sessions but this video was done during a dog training session.

Usually you can make more impact if you stop at success at each level (or step). Then the next time you train–resuming at that level of criteria (level of success–notice you don’t go back).

You see how the trainer perseveres in this dog nail trimming video when the dog stresses–but since she doesn’t stop and doesn’t have a negative reaction, the dog settles down and moves forward in the process quickly.

If you have problems with nail trimming–have someone take a video of that process. Then try this training procedure and come back and let us know how you are doing and how long it took.

Above: My pal gets coaching with her two dogs.

I’ve been at Mandalay Shores over the holiday staying with a friend and my nieces and nephews–3 dogs and 8 cats.

Usually I spend hours out on the beach walking for miles and enjoying the wildlife.

However this trip was a little different.

My pal has been complaining that her dogs are super out of control and aggressive to other people and animals.

The dogs happen to be clicker phobic (except for the German Shepherd mix) so I use my voice and have been spending time with all the critters.

The cats all sat around and watched as the dogs began school.

It was funny.

Only one feline wanted to join in the school session–the rest consider it enrichment.

Imagine the surprise of my pals when I ambled out with the dog trio and came back to report that the girls were good.

Well, almost good.

They did act up but quickly responded when I told them to stop and asked them to sit instead.

Often, using an incompatible behavior replaces the one you don’t want.

In this case, a sit solves many problems. The behavior

• allows the dogs to watch,
• calms them down,
• stops them from leaping and lunging,
• reduces the frothing at the mouth,
• and eliminates barking or growling.

I’ve walked the dogs every day that I’ve been here.

Now they know that they need to sit if a dog or person approaches and when in doubt–they choose to sit.

Sometimes they need prompting but they all enjoy treats and being told that they are “good dogs” instead of entering into the drama that ensues otherwise.

The funny thing is that everyone in the neighborhood knows and avoids the trio.

So when I walk them I am sort of like a neighborhood celebrity…people smile and wave.

And those that used to cross the street with their dogs just keep walking and break out in big grins as they pass.

Now I don’t take any chances but I am amazed at how unwilling people are to change their behaviors.

For instance, we were walking up a narrow path when a big dog lunged at the fence and gate.

At the time I had two of my charges with me.

They were spooked but I moved to the side of the path and asked them to sit because I wanted them to be calm in that situation.

PLUS I saw two bicycle riders coming toward us.

Neither of the bicyclists had the sense to slow down or stop despite seeing the startled dogs.

If the dogs went off as they apparently have in the past, and if they were not under control, the additional stress would have sent them over the edge and possibly knocked over one of the riders.

As it was, the girls were jumpy because they had two dynamics present that each alone would have triggered a frenzy–never mind the double dose of stress.

My calmness and their new behavior helped–but it was a bit much for them.

They did great.

But it got me to thinking when it comes to animals out in public–whose fault is it if there is an incident?

My pals are dog lovers and do whatever it takes for their animals but they don’t expect them to behave nor do they teach them what constitutes good manners–and so they are wild–except for with me.

This is a problem I see escalating when I think it would be getting better.

Now most dog owners would be found at fault for failure to control their dogs. If you fail to pay attention, things happen that second you are distracted.

BUT what about those people who fail to adapt their behavior to adjust for the presence of a dog?

Could they also be at fault?

You’d have to get into the dog laws of the area and the specific circumstances to get a real answer but my point is that animal problems are usually a people problem.

If there is anything people should know (and keep at the front of their minds) it is that animals can be unpredictable.

So in the scheme of things we all should be more attentive to animals and slow down our vehicles or adjust our pace as we approach critters.

If more humans adjusted their behavior and developed better animal sense it might be better for everyone.

In the meantime, I hope my pals will adapt their behaviors to keep the better pet behavior going.

At any rate it will be interesting to hear what the neighbors have to say!

Do you have any thoughts on the matter? If so, please comment below.