If you love dogs as much as I do, you know how difficult it can be to lock them in a crate when you are at work or away from home for hours on end. Dogs need love attention and freedom just like you or I; however if your dog is a chewer or get's on furniture while you are away, the crate may seem like the only option.
I am here to tell you there are so many other options.
Option #1: You can put your dogs into a "doggy daycare" facility. This can be a really good option, but the costs can be upwards of $30/day for one dog. Some facilities like the Pampered Pets Inn in Mooresville, NC, offer unlimited monthly passes for reduced rates. Looking at their rate for one dog at $426/month for unlimited doggie daycare pass and assuming 20 days/month (Mon-Fri) for 4 weeks, you would be saving $114/month with this pass. The best part about this option is your dog's interaction with other canines and people. Some places like Pamper Pets Inn offer a lot of dog centered activities including play-time, grooming, and even a pool for them to swim. The downside would be the affordability for the average family and if you are not using every day the crate will still be a necessity.
Option #2: You can hire a in home dog sitter service. In home dog sitters will come to your house for a selected amount of time to play with your dog and even take them for a walk if the weather permits. Here in Mooresville, NC we have a great company offering this type of in home dog, cat and even plant care, Barks and Blooms. They offer a 30 minute visit to your home for $18. This would save you $66 for the 20 days/month over the doggie daycare option I described above.
Option #3: Create a dog safe space inside your home and give the dog access to your back yard via a doggie door. If you do not have a fenced in yard and do not want to spend the money to do so, you can construct a small fenced in area outside of your doggie door. For this outside area the best ground cover is artificial turf. This allows for a natural look and a pet friendly bathroom surface with easy cleanup. Check out my upcoming blog on how to construct an outside dog area.
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