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 comfortable accommodations & safety-certified associates provide a welcoming place for dogs & cats to stay while you’re away! Guests will feel at home with the around-the-clock care of our pet-loving staff. We offer a safe, clean, temperature-controlled environment, playtime, exercise, healthy meals & more. Book the ultimate staycation destination for your pet now!learn more

As Dogtopians, we’re a unique breed. Our team of dog care professionals provide quality care in a safe and supervised environment. Team members must complete rigorous training on dog body language and behavior. Our playroom attendants aren’t just watchdogs; they’re called Canine Coaches for a reason! Dogtopia Canine Coaches go through an extensive four-part training process. The custom curriculum, designed by a registered canine behaviorist, has been independently recognized by both the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT).

Can I leave my dog for a month?


12 p.m. – 2 p.m.: Well-deserved naptime. Each dog is provided some much-needed “me” time in a home-style crate so they don’t get over-stimulated in exciting environments like a playroom. During this time, we also provide lunches and/or administer medications when applicable. We also use this time to proactively clean each playroom before an afternoon of play! Our highly trained Canine Coaches will closely monitor your pup and may give them extra breaks throughout the day, if required.
Most kennels will have staff available 24 hours a day, though this can take several forms. One or two employees may be present on-site (in the case of a family-owned business on their property, for example), or the kennel may be monitoried by video and audio. Feedings are usually handled at the discretion of the owner; whatever food you prefer must be supplied, along with instructions on how much to feed and how often.

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.

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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.

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At Playtime Doggy Daycare we go the extra mile, because we service clients who are willing to go the extra mile for their loved ones. We bring a fun-filled, healthy approach to bringing excitement & joy to your beloved pups & enriching their lives. Doggy daycare is not for everyone. But if you see your pet as a genuine part of your family, then Playtime is the ideal place for your pooch! Doggie daycare does many things for your dog that translate to a more enjoyable lifestyle not only for your dog, but for you and your family as well. Here are some of the benefits of Doggy Daycare:

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Dogs don’t think about inside vs. outside the way people do. They view the world around them through smell, sight and sound in a different way. Their nose will be full of new scents to explore as they meet their new BFFFs. They will see many wagging tails and hear excited yips and words of praise for playing excitedly! Because the sights, smells and sounds of our indoor playrooms are different from what they experience at home, you don’t have to worry about it impacting your house training. After 15 years in the business, we can confidently say that open play at Dogtopia does not translate to dogs going potty in the house.
Poochie's Pet Hotel is located in Valrico, Fl. and is owned and operated by longtime Brandon resident Melissa Bostick. Poochie's Pet Hotel offers Dog boarding, Pet boarding and Doggy daycare. Melissa's plan to open Poochie's Pet Hotel has been planned out for many years. She wanted to provide the best quality care and wanted to offer her clients peace of mind when leaving their furry friends. Poochie's Pet Hotel is situated on Melissa's property, so you may rest assure your pet will be monitored day and night. Melissa has always had a passion for animals. Since she was young she has loved and cared for a variety of pets. In the past, she ... View Profile
My name is Linda and my daughters name is Christine. Together we are a team together. We have two dogs, 5 yr old Shar Pei mix and a 9 month old Blue Nose American Staffordshire Terrier. We have a two step meet & greet process, First is in a neutral area where all parties can meet, then if all goes well (and we have no doubt it will) we will then schedule another meet or simply have you us follow to our house. This way you get a feel for us and our pups and see our home, which will be their home for your away time. If anyone needs special accommodations you just need to let us know and we’ll take care of them as if they are our own. ... View Profile

Can a dog fly alone?


Hello, my name is Shawna, I am a licensed pet sitter, and the founder of Tampaws Pet Care. I am a pet owner and animal lover myself. I have owned a variety of pets in my lifetime, including cats, dogs, guini pigs, iguanas, turtles, birds,snakes, fish, and even a sugar gliders. Not only am I a pet owner, i am also very involved with local rescues in the Tampa Bay area and have been a volunteer/foster mom for Pug Rescue Of Florida for the past three years. This experience has allowed me to foster and care for a variety of pugs and given my first hand knowledge with dogs of all ages and conditions. I have experience with administering basic med ... View Profile
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

A good kennel or boarding facility should walk your dog several times a day — anywhere from two to five — and should also build in time for play or socialization. Some kennels offer free play with other animals in a common yard, while some keep dog play one-on-one with staff, for example playing fetch or in the pool, to avoid any conflicts. Rural properties may include hiking trails.
Your dog can make a splash in our specifically designed dog pool! We have an easy access beach front entry into our 3 1/2 foot deep center, or they can dive in from the deck, or just frolic in the fountains. Our 1/2 acre leash free backyard also provides great entertainment with chasing tennis balls, running with the other guests, catching a Frisbee or just catching rays on our sundeck.
Start by arranging a tour of the facility — most will have specific tour times throughout the day. Be leery of any facility that doesn't want you to visit. The dog and cat kennels should be clean, bright, and show signs of care; rusty fences or broken windows are a sign of neglect for the property, which can indicate a similar neglect for the animals.
It happens to the best of us—we have to go out of town or work on a big job and there’s no one to look after the dog. Thankfully, there are a fair number of dog boarding opportunities for your dog near your home. Dog boarding kennels provide your dog a safe and secure place to call their home away from home while you are away. Dog boarding is sometimes accompanied by other services, such as dog training and dog grooming.
I enjoy to get my daily exercise in while walking my pet. I feel it's important to get lots of playtime and plenty of water to drink. I will treat your babies just like my own. I would love to have the opportunity to get to know other pets. While I haven't taken care of other dogs that are not my own, I think this would be a lot of fun for me. I'm always donating to my local animal shelter to help out animals in need just waiting to get adopted. Anytime I see a dog I like to say hello to them because they make me smile. Sometimes that's all you need to completely turn your day around. Give me a chance to keep me smiling. ... View Profile
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!

How much does it cost to have a dog boarded?