I gave Mutt Lodge a try based on the recommendation of a friend but I have to agree with the previous reviewer (Patty K) - the "$15 mandatory nail-clipping" is a disappointment and seems like a cash churner. I dropped by dog off for day care, which is $23 - and I get handed the payment terminal punched in at $42 (incl. tax) - without even a mention of what this is for, until I asked why! To which I got told -- oh yeah I saw his nails, he's getting a nail-clipping. It's good for the next 3 weeks and you'll be charged $10 instead of $15 after that. If you go longer than 3 weeks, the price will be $15 again. I have multiple issues with this policy. Firstly - a nail-clipping anywhere else, is a standard cost. I don't see why it should vary. Secondly, I disagree that my dog's nails needed a clipping. We have a cat at home and the both of them roughhouse all the time - if he needed a clipping, the cat would have been scratched up by now. Thirdly, I get my dog's nails clipped every 1-2 months on average. I don't think anyone clips their dog's nails every 3 weeks. Basically, they're making $10-$15 extra on almost every dog that comes in. I've heard they also give "mandatory baths" btw if your dog is boarding with them for a period of time. If staff is being "commonly scratched" and that's your reason for "safety protocol" nail trims, I question what goes on here - the place is off-limits to the public so you don't really get to see your dog interacting with the other dogs or staff anyway. Happy to give this place a pass. I don't appreciate cash grabs. read more

I am writing this review with disappointment. I have a dog who is now 8 years old and I have used boarding services at the above-noted place a handful of times throughout his life. I also was a regular customer who ordered raw food through the same boarding service when it was known as Doggie Minder. I have never had a problem with either boarding or raw food orders in the past, however, this has changed recently. I attempted to board my dog for one night and was quoted a price of $68.00. Upon inquiring about the high price for a single night of boarding, not including food or any other amenities, I was told that the price included a mandatory nail-clipping. This isn't normally an issue for me, however, I made mention that my dog had recently been to the groomers and had his nails already grinded down. I had agreed to send an e-transfer for the boarding night immediately to book my reservation, but asked that his nails be assessed upon arrival. I was then told by the owner, Corinna, that I would be charged ahead of time for the nail clipping regardless, and was also cautioned to respect the safety protocols in place, as other boarding members and staff members are commonly scratched by dogs being boarded. I have no issue with respecting any safety protocols at all, and was simply hoping to not be charged for things in advance, especially if there was a potential discrepancy or dispute about the state of my dog. The manner in which it was explained to me is my main problem here. This is, word for word, what I was told via email regarding my dog's boarding: "Please respect our safety protocols. It is not worth our time to argue with you about $15 for a nail trim for the safety of our regular boarding customers." I don't recall disrespecting anyone or arguing here. My inquiry was clearly found to be offensive. I ask questions when I believe that I'm being overcharged and unnecessarily. I found that response by the owner of this company to be extremely rude and uncalled for - "Not worth our time". Last time that I checked, the customer was much more well-respected than this, and because of that ill-advised and rude comment, I will never bring my business back to this company again. $15 may not seem like a big deal, however, my asking questions about the break down in what seems to be an unfair charge causing that sort of response is quite unprofessional. I hope that anyone else who has been mistreated by this individual will take some comfort in knowing that it isn't in fact the customer who is wrong here. Sometimes, attitude needs to be reassessed when dealing with members of the public. Lesson learned. I'm sure someone else will be happy to have my business. read more