My whole life revolves around the care and love for animals of all kinds. I've been working in the veterinary field for over 5 years and I wouldn't have it any other way. I am well versed in the specific needs of all pets, whether it be a simple walk to go potty, or administering insulin to a diabetic cat. I am currently employed as a Certified Vet Tech in the Tampa area. My job allows me to be around all types of animals, which in turn has helped me become very comfortable with watching pets that have different behaviors and needs. I am also very active and have no issues giving the exercise needed pet specific. I know how hard ... View Profile
Staff are just as critical. In speaking with staff members, a clear interest in animals should be evident. If staff seem annoyed by the dogs and cats surrounding them, are short-tempered or curt, you can expect their demeanor to be worse when you leave. Think of the kennel as a type of extended family — choosing the right service means balancing price with the comfort of your dog or cat.
Exercise: Consistent physical exercise is important to the growth and happiness of your pup – of course, there’s a whole lot of health benefits, too! Dog obesity is a serious health concern, as it increases the risk for osteoarthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney disease, cancers, ligament injuries and decreased life expectancy (up to 2.5 years). Plenty of playtime enhances dog health and longevity, leaving furry children happy and relaxed. With 8-10 hours of off-leash open play, Dogtopia offers pups plenty of exercise to help ensure a healthy weight, a strong heart and a good night’s sleep!
Your dog will get social development with how to deal with other dogs and people in a controlled environment. This development is important for you and your pets, as they become accustomed to group surroundings. And, dogs make friends too! Our dogs play in packs, get to know each other, and make friends that they look forward to seeing each day or week!
Our safe and fun playrooms are designed to encourage exercise and comfort. You won’t see any chain link fences at our facilities. Instead, we separate our playrooms with walls to prevent the spread of airborne contagions and reduce noise. This also provides a relaxing environment for our dogs since the sight of other dogs between rooms may lead to barrier frustration.
Our boarding facilities are fully equipped to handle dogs of all shapes and sizes. We encourage you to bring your pup to our location for daycare prior to an overnight or extended stay. We recommend at least one day of daycare prior to your dog’s overnight stay – three days of daycare is ideal – to allow your pup to get used to the facility and have a better overall experience. Your dog will become comfortable with our staff, and learn that you will be coming back to bring them home. It will also give our staff an opportunity to learn your pup’s personality and play preferences.
While in-home dog care might feel uncomfortable to some because of giving a stranger access to your home, having someone stop by can be much less intimidating for the dog than having to stay in a crate or small room overnight with other dogs around. If you are one of those dog owners who would rather your dog be in his or her own home while you are out of town, you may want to check out local dog sitters near you.
How much does it cost to watch a dog overnight?
Dogtopia is a very active environment, with the dogs interacting for several hours per day. Even if your dog did not run all day, simply being awake can make them very, very tired. At home, most dogs sleep the day away getting 18 or more hours of sleep. Although we have a two-hour nap, and the dogs sleep approximately eight hours per night, they will be tired. Please let them rest. We do not recommend that you take them to the dog park or any other social environment for at least a few days.
Do you need a license for doggy daycare?
Do dogs like being in kennels?
Is Doggy Daycare good for separation anxiety?
The difference between dog sitting and boarding is the length of stay and attention of care. Dog boarding is like hotel, where it's typically an overnight stay at a kennel where your dog is around other dogs. On the other hand, a dog sitter will watch your pet at either their or your home, or they may just stop by to care for your pets two or three times per day.
Dogs boarding with us will enjoy a staycation, burn off any excess energy during a full day of play with our daycare dogs. Dogs are separated into supervised playrooms depending on size, play style and temperament, ensuring the comfort and safety of all our guests. They’ll enjoy 8-10 hours of open play that features brain games designed to improve manners and behavior. There will also be plenty of time for naps and breaks, should they require them. If your dog is having lunch, he/she will be fed at the start of naptime and will have plenty of time to digest their food before they are allowed to play again. This private time is also when we administer any medications, if applicable.
Education: At Dogtopia, dogs don’t just play; they learn. We coach all dogs on every visit to ensure they live up to their full potential. They learn how to behave in social situations and be more comfortable around new dogs and new people. Our certified Canine Coaches provide quality care through 8-10 hours of open play with brain games to improve behavior and manners, and keep dogs engaged. Every Canine Coach is educated on canine body language, managing dogs in open play, special considerations of dogs in the playroom, preventing scuffles and much, much more!