Socialization: Dogs must be safely socialized with other dogs in order to grow into well-rounded canine citizens. The best place to do that is at doggie daycare. Although dog parks can be a fun outlet for both you and your pup, it’s hard to predict what types of dogs will be there, if they will be aggressive, if they will listen to their owners, if their play is safe and appropriate or even if they are vaccinated and healthy. At Dogtopia, we pre-screen and evaluate every dog before they are approved for open play and assign playrooms based on size and temperament. Although dogs can get sick just like at a child’s daycare, we also have a strict cleaning protocol called the Pet-Safe Cleaning Program that reduces the transmission of illness. Additionally, our playrooms are monitored by high caliber staff that is extensively trained in pack management and canine communication. Dogtopia provides a fun, nurturing environment where dogs are 100% supervised during open play.
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?
Dogs need proof of Distemper, Parvo and Bordetella (kennel cough) annually and Rabies every 1-3 years. Puppies must be 10 days past their final round of distemper/parvo vaccination before kennels will accept them for boarding. Vaccinations need to be given no less than 7 days prior to boarding. If this is the dog's first Bordetella vaccination, it must be given 2 weeks prior to boarding.
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.
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.
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!