Boarding your dog can be a great option when you are away from home and cannot take your dog with you. It is important to choose a facility that prioritizes your dog’s safety, well-being, and happiness.

Dogtopia Boarding vs. Other Facilities

Temperament Testing

Dogtopia:

Requires dogs to pass a temperament test before they can participate in open play to ensure the safety and comfort of all dogs in the facility.
Uses a comprehensive behavioral assessment not only to determine if a dog is a good fit but also to personalize care.

Other Facilities:

Some other facilities may conduct temperament assessments.
It is important to ask the facility about their temperament testing process to ensure they take appropriate measures to evaluate dogs before allowing them to interact in a group setting.

Supervision and Staff Training

Dogtopia:

Boasts spacious, climate-controlled playrooms with live webcams so pet parents can observe their dogs.
Maintains a consistent group of dogs each week, facilitating safer play because the staff gets to know each dog’s behaviors and preferences.
Employs a team well-versed in dog behavior and body language, ensuring each dog has a positive experience by allowing dogs to engage in supervised play at their own pace.
Provides professional-level pet care education to their team, who are trained to handle emergencies or behavioral issues.
Dogtopia of Cypress offers individual and group training classes.

Other Facilities:

Some other facilities are primarily focused on housing your dog so limited playtime and interaction compared to Dogtopia open playrooms and if they do they will typically charge for each interaction.
Some other facilities do more than dogs and are not specialized for dog behavior.

Enrichment Activities

Dogtopia:

Offers enrichment activities to keep dogs mentally stimulated, including puzzle toys, interactive games, and training sessions – mostly all included with your boarding stay.
May include activities such as kiddie pools and bubble machines in the summer and more structured activities indoors during colder or warmer months – all included with your boarding stay.

Other Facilities:

Many daycare facilities provide structured playtime, rest periods, and sometimes training sessions but will typically itemized each as charges.
Many other facilities are not geared for inclement weather with large outdoor design.
Other facilities may offer various enrichment activities but typically will charge for each item.

Cleanliness

Dogtopia:

Strives to maintain clean and safe facilities using pet friendly and vet approved solutions.
The Dogtopia set the industry standard for dog safety and quality care.
State of the art fresh air system with UV filtration reduces virus load significantly

Other Facilities:

Cleanliness is essential for preventing the spread of illness.
It is important to inquire about the cleaning procedures and the chemicals used.

Choosing a Boarding Facility

When choosing a boarding facility, it is important to consider your dog’s individual needs and personality. If your dog is well-socialized and enjoys the company of other dogs, a facility like Dogtopia that offers open play and enrichment activities may be a good fit. However, if your dog is more independent or anxious in social situations, a facility that offers individual playtimes or more structured interaction might be a better choice.

Regardless of the facility you choose, it is crucial to visit the facility beforehand and ask questions about their procedures and protocols. This will help you feel more confident that you are leaving your dog in a safe and caring environment.

Key questions to ask:

How do you group dogs for play?
What is the staff-to-dog ratio?
What type of training does your staff have?
What are your emergency procedures?
What types of enrichment activities do you offer?
Can I see the play areas and boarding kennels?

By carefully evaluating your options and asking the right questions, you can ensure that your furry friend has a comfortable and enjoyable stay while you are away.