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.
Dogs like to play like dogs! They will run, chase, be chased, grab each others’ necks, fall down, bark, trip, pull on each others’ ears and tumble around. To pet parents, this play could look worrisome, but this is standard dog play! The Canine Coach in the playroom will monitor your pup to make sure they are safe and having fun playing with the other dogs in the room. If at any point your dog gets scared or overwhelmed, our staff will intervene.
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.
At Dogtopia, your dog’s safety and wellbeing is our first and foremost priority. That’s why we have a number of safety protocols in place such as full walls, certified Canine Coaches, pet-friendly cleaning supplies, floors made from compressed rubber to reduce the impact on the pads of dog’s feet, joints and hips, soundproofing throughout to keep nervous dogs at ease, separate HVACs to maintain fresh air circulation and a climate-controlled environment.
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 dogs like being in kennels?


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
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.
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!

What is a dog attendant?


At Dogtopia, your dog’s safety and wellbeing is our first and foremost priority. That’s why we have a number of safety protocols in place such as full walls, certified Canine Coaches, pet-friendly cleaning supplies, floors made from compressed rubber to reduce the impact on the pads of dog’s feet, joints and hips, soundproofing throughout to keep nervous dogs at ease, separate HVACs to maintain fresh air circulation and a climate-controlled environment.

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.


When you need to be away, PetSmart makes it easy to give your dog or cat a fun getaway for overnight or longer. PetsHotel offers dogs and cats of every age and stage of life a safe, comfortable home away from home. It's the perfect pet hotel to board your pets with Standard Guest Rooms where dogs can bunk with buddies, Private Suites and Kitty Cottages for your favorite felines....

How much should you pay a friend to dog sit?