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People are very opinionated about boarding their dogs. However, dog daycare is a whole different level of boarding. Although many dog daycares use kennels, others don’t have cages at all. And you can leave your dog for a few hours or the whole day.

I think dog daycare is a great option for someone who works long hours and can’t get home to let his or her dog out over a lunch break. I often considered this for Ace but decided the price wasn’t worth it.

Some benefits to taking your dog to daycare include knowing your dog gets to have fun while you are at work (assuming your dog likes other dogs and lots of activity), you don’t have to worry what kind of trouble your dog is getting into at home, and she will be OK if you have to work a little late.

On the negative side, often the staff members in charge of the dogs do not have a lot of knowledge in animal behavior and don’t know what to do when something goes wrong. The pick-up and drop-off hours are often inconvenient, and if you can’t pick up your dog by a certain time you will be charged a night’s boarding fee. And just like any boarding facility, you need to do lots of research to make sure the daycare is right for your dog.

What do you think? Does your dog go to daycare? Why or why not?

Email your dog-related question to me at Lindsay@thatmutt.com, and I’ll post it for others to answer.

(Image from K9sinkahoots.com)

The money I spend on my pets can really add up. Because of this, I keep track of what I spend on them each month and make sure to buy only what they need. Trust me, they do not know the difference, and they are still spoiled. Here are some tips for saving money on dog care.

1. Make a list of everything you spend on your dog.
I keep a monthly budget for all my expenses, including what I spend on my pets. Doing so makes it clear what I’m spending, and when it is a little out of control. It doesn’t have to be a very complex budget, even just a list of everything you spend on your dog is fine. It’s just good to be aware of where your money is going. Think about everything you spend on your dog, such as food, training, toys, vet bills, grooming, health-care products, treats, daycare, boarding, beds, kennels, cleaning supplies and replacing things he destroys. Once you have a list, you can decide where you can cut back.

2. Shop for toys at thrift stores.
My mutt’s favorite toys are tennis balls, which cost less than a dollar, and stuffed animals. At a pet store, stuffed dog toys might cost anywhere from $10 to $50. Instead, I buy Ace’s stuffed toys at thrift stores and garage sales for about 50 cents per toy. Usually they appear to be brand new. The cheaper they are, the more I buy.

3. Use less expensive brands for flea and tick prevention.
Your vet can recommend a flea and tick prevention formula that works just as well as the leading brand, but for less money. For example, I used Frontline on my dogs for years. For a 60-pound dog, Frontline costs about $45 for a three-month dose. Now I use cheaper brands that work just as well, such as BioSpot. You can find most brands online for a reduced rate, as well. Just make sure you do research and ask questions before you use any chemicals on your dog. Some dogs have allergic reactions to Frontline or BioSpot.

4. Groom your dog yourself.
In order to save $40 a month on a professional grooming bill, I bathe Ace in the bathtub at home. I use an $8 bottle of shampoo that will probably last a year, a sponge and a bucket to pour water over his back. Ace is 60 pounds and I have no problem washing him in the tub, so if you have a smaller dog, it should be even easier. Ace does have very short hair, however, which makes my job pretty easy. Maybe you could bathe your dog yourself every other time, or only bring him to the grooming shop  when he needs a haircut. Otherwise, you could buy an electric trimmer and cut your dog’s coat yourself. If my mom can do it, you can do it. When I worked at a grooming shop, I couldn’t believe how many people paid over $125 to have their long-haired dogs groomed every month. If I don’t spend that kind of money on a haircut for myself, I am not going to spend it on my dog!

5. Clip your dog’s nails yourself. 
Vets and groomers charge $10 or so for a nail trim. To me, this seems ridiculous, but people pay it. Ten dollars per trim adds up over the dog’s life. Just buy a $10 nail clipper, and learn to trim your dog’s nails yourself. It’s not that bad!

6. Buy treats and chew toys that will last the longest.
I use pieces of dry cat food to train my dog. This lasts much, much longer than a bag of dog biscuits or jerky, and he likes them more anyway. As far as chew toys, Ace chews on hollow bones or Kongs filled with peanut butter. That way he can reuse them. I buy him rawhides now and then, but not too often because he eats them in minutes. Hollow bones can last Ace weeks and Kongs last for years.                

7. Walk to the park instead of driving.
It’s easier for me to just drive a few miles to the park with Ace rather than walk. But this wastes gas. Plus, I find it hard to justify driving somewhere, when the whole point of getting there is for exercise. Why not exercise on the way to the park? In my case, it’s a ten-minute walk or a five-minute drive, so I might as well just walk.

8. Walk to the store.
Since you are going to walk your dog anyway, why not get something done in the process? I don’t do this, but it’s about time I start. I could walk to the post office, walk to PetSmart or walk through the bank drive-thru. It would be great exercise and I’d save gas money. Plus, it would make a routine walk a lot more fun.

9. Read about obedience training rather than taking a class.
Each dog obedience class costs around $50. If you are disciplined, you could train your dog on your own. There are dozens of books, online videos and blogs on dog training to help you out.

10. Hire a dog walker or go home on your lunch break.
To save money on dog daycare, which can cost more than $20 per day, I go home from work during my lunch break to spend time with Ace. As another option, you could hire a dog walker to let your dog out. This will cost a lot less than daycare. When I was a dog walker, I charged $5 for a half-hour walk. This makes a big difference over a year.

What are some ways you save money on dog care?

I used to put my mutt in his kennel when I went to work, because I couldn’t trust him to be left home alone. Now he stays out, at least most days. Here are a few ideas you can try to keep your dog entertained while you are gone. But more importantly, I’d like to hear some of your ideas.

1. Rotate her toys.
Don’t leave the same toys out every day for your dog. It’s better to mix them up. Leave four of five toys out when you leave for work, and leave different toys out the next day. When you come home, put the toys away. She will be much more interested in her toys if she doesn’t have access to them all the time.

2. Offer her some chew toys or bones.
Give your dog a new bone or something else to chew just before you head out the door. I buy hollow bones and fill them with peanut butter. Then I put them in the freezer. When the peanut butter is frozen, it keeps my mutt busy longer. A good chew toy to try is the Kong brand. You can fill these with peanut butter and some dog biscuits and then freeze them. Your dog will spend a decent amount of time licking the toy clean and trying to dislodge the treats. It’s a good puzzle for them.

3. Take your dog for a long walk.
If you get in the habit of walking your dog before work, she will be drained of energy and ready for a nap. That way she will spend more time sleeping while you’re gone, and less time looking for something to do.

4. Leave the radio or TV on.
I don’t know if my mutt cares or not whether the radio is on while I’m gone. But I leave a rock station playing anyway. At least it decreases that silent feeling of being alone. The sound of the radio will also block outside noise from the neighbors that might cause my mutt to bark.

5. Take her to dog daycare.
If you are willing to pay up to $25 a day, take your dog to daycare. Most dogs really enjoy this. Try it once a week or twice a month to begin with, maybe during your busiest weeks. You could also hire a dog walker to let her out. If you have friends who are dog owners, you could volunteer to host a dog play date on one of your days off, and they could take the dogs another day. Even doing this twice a month would add some variety for your dog.

6. Leave your pets together.
If your pets get along, why not leave them out together? My dog and cat don’t play together much, but they enjoy each other’s company. When they are left home together they don’t feel as lonely.

7. Hang out with your dog on your lunch break.
If you can, come home and let your dog out during lunch. Take her for as long a walk as you have time for. You can always eat your lunch later in the afternoon at your desk.

8. Buy her a dog bed.
If your dog has her own place to sleep where she feels safe and comfortable, like her own bed, an open kennel, a blanket or your couch, she will be more content to sleep during the day instead of finding trouble.

9. Don’t leave any temptations.
If you think your dog might chew your photo album or reach the box of cookies in the far corner of the counter, she will. Just assume she will find trouble if she has the chance.

10. Teach your dog a new hobby.
If all else fails, maybe your dog could knit you a sweater, paint or do some volunteer work. If you’re lucky, she might even cook your dinner.