How to rent with a service dog?

Hi! I’m looking for a new apartment and was wondering the best way to go about the rental process with a service dog? (I’m in Boston)

Given how most apartments and landlords don’t allow pets, I don’t want to hinder myself by disclosing I have a service dog early in the process, since that will just give them an easy reason to reject me.

Other considerations: if I look at pet friendly places, I may have to deal with bumping into other pet dogs, but then again easier to simply have a dog. Then with non-pet friendly places, no risk of running into pets, but possibly face the ire of landlords or other tenants.

When do you disclose you have a service dog? What has worked and what has not? Hearing people’s experience would be great!