WHY SHOULD DOGS ATTEND DOG DAYCARE IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA?<\/h2>\n
You may choose to bring your dog to daycare while you\u2019re at work or at school, have an event to attend, or need a pet-free home for the day. However, daycare can also be a great fit simply to add more wellness to your pup\u2019s lifestyle. Just like school for humans, our daycare can be a space that your furry family attends to catch up with their pals, learn valuable social skills, expend their energy, and more. At Dogtopia of Birmingham - Parkside daycare, we target:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Exercise: <\/strong>Daycare dogs enjoy 8-10 hours of play and log between 30,000-60,000 steps at daycare, which is significantly higher than what pups can achieve at home, which is typically under 8,000 steps. Keeping pups moving with fun activities makes exercising enjoyable for our daycare dogs and helps reduce their risk of doggie health concerns. We achieve this through:\n
- \n
- Agility-focused exercises:<\/strong> Our pups participate in exercises disguised as fun games that keep their energy levels high as they work on their cardio and strengthen their focus. We have secure play equipment throughout our playrooms that they can run and climb on, which hones their agility skills. Our team also organizes fun obstacle courses that can include tunnels, tire jumps, weave poles, and more.<\/li>\n
- Playroom bubble parties: <\/strong>We host periodic bubble parties in our playrooms with bacon- and peanut butter-flavored bubbles that float around the room (and into our dogs\u2019 mouths). This is not only a fun, social element, but it also helps our pups expend their built-up energy chasing the bubbles around the room. This fun, tasty activity boosts their cardio and keeps them moving while learning to play nice with others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Education: <\/strong>Strengthening our daycare dogs\u2019 minds is important to us, as we want all pups in our care to be their best doggie selves. We incorporate this through:\n
- \n
- Brain games: <\/strong>Designed to boost problem-solving skills, improve behavior and manners, and keep dogs engaged, our brain games strengthen our pups\u2019 minds as they learn new skills<\/li>\n
- Basic training: <\/strong>Our highly skilled team offers basic training, which can include simple commands, \u201cfollow the leader\u201d exercises, door control, name recall, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Socialization and fun: <\/strong>When dogs are around their furry friend group, they can tap into their natural pack instinct, form long-lasting, beneficial bonds with each other, and boost their confidence around others. Boredom is never in the vocabulary at Dogtopia of Birmingham - Parkside because we love planning fun activities our pups can take part in with their furry friend group, which include:\n
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- Periodic photoshoots: <\/strong>Around holidays and other events, we set the scene with adorable props and backgrounds that make for the most share-worthy shots. We\u2019ll be filling up our Instagram feed<\/a> with these pictures, so be sure to check us out there to see what we mean!<\/li>\n
- Craft days: <\/strong>With the help of our Coaches, our daycare dogs channel their inner artist with paw-painted masterpieces that make for the perfect keepsake or seasonal craft to take home.<\/li>\n
- Treat and activity days: <\/strong>Our team is constantly offering new gourmet and seasonal treats, including peanut butter balls, peaches n\u2019 cream, yogurt with apple slices, Meatball Mondays, frozen yogurt, candy apples, pumpkin smoothies, and puppucinos, just to name a few!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
All our treat, crafts, and event days<\/a> are announced in our store, through email, and on our app. These are so popular that we often have a waitlist for all crafts and event days!<\/p>\n
DOG DAYCARE PLAYROOMS IN BIRMINGHAM\u2019S PARKSIDE DISTRICT<\/h2>\n
Our 6,500 square-foot modern, state-of-the-art facility boasts three spacious playrooms as well as nearly 1,000 square feet of outdoor space for pups to enjoy. We separate our daycare dogs by size, temperament, and play style to ensure proper safety while encouraging socialization among like-minded furry friends.<\/p>\n
Our Gym playroom is ideal for older, calmer dogs who still have that playtime spark but also enjoy resting with their pals. Our larger breeds, who are younger and have higher play energy, thrive in our Romper Room with friends that match their vibe. As for our smaller breeds, our Toy Box playroom offers space to run freely with others at their eye level and not in the shadows of larger dogs. Plus, our Toy Box playroom has direct access to our outdoor area! All our playrooms include large windows that allow plenty of natural light in.<\/p>\n
Pups will enjoy our indoor playrooms for most of their time at daycare, but on those sunny and clear Birmingham days, we\u2019ll rotate each playroom into our outside playroom in the morning and afternoon for around 45 minutes. Pet parents can rest assured their furry family member is among like-minded pals at all times, as we never mix play groups together due to safety reasons, even during outdoor play.<\/p>\n
Safety and security are at the top of our list of priorities at Dogtopia of Birmingham - Parkside. When we designed each playroom, we paid close attention to the needs of each pup so they could play in a safe space that supports their well-being. We installed compressed rubber flooring, which is easy on joints, hips, and paw pads; soundproof walls that limit distractions from neighboring dogs; double-barrier doors between the playrooms and main hallway to ensure all entries and exits are known and secure; and advanced dedicated outdoor air HVAC systems (DOAS) with outdoor-only air intake to reduce the risk of airborne illnesses, so all playrooms have fresh, clean air circulating throughout. Our playrooms are also climate-controlled, which means we set an ideal temperature for playing\u2014a major plus when the weather outside isn\u2019t favorable for playtime.<\/p>\n
At Dogtopia of Birmingham - Parkside, we ensure each playroom is clean and sparkling. Our team performs a deep clean in each playroom and sanitizes all playroom surfaces twice daily using chemical-free cleaning products that are safe to use around dogs. We follow strict protocols developed by Dogtopia’s Environmental Biologist and Veterinary Scientist to maintain the high quality of our playrooms, with cleanliness being paramount, no matter how many playing pups we have in attendance.<\/p>\n
EXPERT DOGTOPIA CANINE COACHES IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA<\/h2>\n
Our Canine Coaches actively ensure each pup at our facility is safe, benefiting from the activities we offer, and, of course, having a tail-wagging good time. We have an extensive training program for our Coaches that is certified by two of the largest dog training schools in America. Our Coaches can manage large groups of dogs, no matter their size or breed, and can detect small shifts in body language, which ensures they can make swift, thoughtful decisions to prevent any unwanted behavior before it arises. They can also determine the pups who may need some assistance in meeting new pals and know when to administer breaks to any dogs that need them.<\/p>\n
This curriculum has been approved for continuing education credits by the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers, so pet parents can rest assured that our team has received the latest and greatest material pertaining to dog wellness and behavior.<\/p>\n
Our team will provide pet parents with periodic report cards to provide insight into your pup\u2019s day. The more your dog attends daycare, the more our team will get to know them, which allows us to include even greater insight into your pup\u2019s behavior at daycare, in addition to some tips that can help you replicate the training taught at daycare at home.<\/p>\n
WHAT\u2019S ON THE DAYCARE ITINERARY AT Dogtopia of Birmingham - Parkside<\/h2>\n
We offer all-day open-play, which means no infrequent \u201cplay sessions\u201d where your dog actually spends most of the day in a crate. Our off-leash environment allows pups total freedom to explore their playroom and interact with other dogs, all while in a safe, supervised, and secure space.<\/p>\n
We begin the day by welcoming in our morning crowd who\u2019s pumped to play with a group of friendly pups and ready to expend their built-up energy from their restful sleep. Until noon, our daycare dogs will enjoy all the activities we have planned until it\u2019s time to break for lunch and naptime. From 12-2:00 p.m., pups remain in their same playrooms but lounge in our home-style crates to ensure they receive some well-deserved \u201cme\u201d time as they chow down on their food and catch some z\u2019s until it\u2019s playtime again. Our team will perform our deep cleaning of the playroom and surfaces during this time as well.<\/p>\n
After two hours of charging their batteries, our daycare dogs are back at it, playing, exercising, learning, and enjoying all that daycare has to offer. When it is time for pick-up, they\u2019ll be happily played out and ready to drift off to dreamland, likely on the car ride home. We call this drowsy, delightful stage the \u201cDogtopia Daze,\u201d and it\u2019s a wonderful sign that your pup had the Most Exciting Day Ever!<\/p>\n
A trip to our dog spa<\/a> is always a cherry on top of an exciting day of daycare. Many of our pet parents choose to add some treatments to their pup\u2019s day so they can look, feel, and smell their best by the time they are picked up. We provide various treatment options to help maintain your dog’s hygiene and wellness while offering the luxury and pampering they deserve. Our team of spa experts is skilled in providing care to all breeds, sizes, and comfort levels.<\/p>\n
DOGTOPIA\u2019S COMMITMENTS TO SAFETY<\/h2>\n
Dogtopia has several commitments to safety that we at Dogtopia of Birmingham - Parkside follow, including:<\/p>\n
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- A universal vow to treat your dogs like a member of the family<\/li>\n
- A passion for providing both pet parents and pups the best possible service<\/li>\n
- 8-10 hours of off-leash, open play to encourage socialization and exercise<\/li>\n
- Certified Canine Coaches trained to manage and educate all breeds of dogs<\/li>\n
- Supporting a charitable cause through the Dogtopia Foundation that enables dogs to give back to humanity<\/li>\n
- Effective in-store cleaning products created specifically with your dog\u2019s safety in mind<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
To ensure a safe and healthy environment for all pups, Dogtopia has established some mandatory guidelines that apply to all locations, including ours. While all breeds are welcome, we ask your dog be:<\/p>\n
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- At least 12 weeks old<\/li>\n
- Spayed\/neutered if seven months and older<\/li>\n
- Up to date on their vaccination record, which includes vaccines like:\n
- \n
- Rabies: administered at or before 16 weeks with a booster shot one year later and future vaccinations every three years.<\/li>\n
- Bordetella: recommended every six months.<\/li>\n
- DHLPP\/DHPP (also known as “distemper\/parvo”): administered at six to eight weeks old, boosted twice at three-week intervals, and then again one year later.<\/li>\n
- Canine influenza: our team will inform you upon booking if this is required, but it remains highly recommended.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Free of any communicable illness for the past 30 days and any conditions that could spread to others (i.e., fleas, ticks, etc.).<\/li>\n
- Non-aggressive or food- and toy-protective, with pet parents certifying that their dog has not harmed or shown aggressive\/threatening behavior toward another person or dog.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
LIVE HD WEBCAMS FOR PET PARENTS<\/h2>\n
Even if it\u2019s just for the day, we know how difficult it can be to be away from your furry family member. That\u2019s why we\u2019ve equipped HD webcams<\/a> in each playroom to livestream all the fun that you can join in on virtually no matter where you are. During open play, which excludes 12-2:00 p.m. when our pups are napping and eating, you can check in on your dog via Dogtopia\u2019s\u00a0 free mobile app or website. At Dogtopia of Birmingham - Parkside, you are never left wondering what your dog is doing all day.<\/p>\n
OUR INITIAL MEET & GREET ASSESSMENT<\/h2>\n
One of the first ways we begin implementing safety protocols at Dogtopia of Birmingham - Parkside is through our Meet & Greet<\/a>. This is a 20-30-minute assessment performed by our team of evaluators who ensure that our off-leash, open-play space is the right fit for your dog.<\/p>\n
We will review your dog\u2019s health history and perform a nose-to-tail wellness check to determine if your pup has any touch sensitivities; assess their comfort level in our home-style crate, which is where they\u2019ll nap during the day; and create a mini play space that simulates the daycare environment by introducing a few dogs from the playroom where your dog would be placed and observing their responses. During this time, we\u2019ll also give you a tour of our entire facility and answer questions you may have about our services. We have a monitor in our lobby that plays the livestreams of our indoor\/outdoor playrooms, so you\u2019ll get to see a broader picture of what daycare can look like for your furry friend.<\/p>\n
Want to schedule your dog\u2019s Meet & Greet now? Use our quick and convenient online form<\/a>.<\/p>\n
LOCATED AT 1200 2ND AVE S, BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA<\/h2>\n
Ready to start your dog\u2019s daycare journey with Dogtopia of Birmingham - Parkside? Our team is ready for you! We proudly welcome pet parents from downtown Birmingham, including Parkside, Southside, Five Points South, and Central Business District, as well as Birmingham neighborhoods, including Avondale, Lakeview, Highland Park, Forest Park, and Crestwood. We also serve commuters from all nearby communities in the greater Birmingham area, such as Trussville, Mountain Brook, Homewood, Vestavia, and Hoover.<\/p>\n
You can find us in downtown Birmingham in the Parkside district at the corner of 2nd<\/sup> Ave S and 12th<\/sup> St S. From our lobby you can see Regions Field, home of the Birmingham Barons baseball team, and we are near two local breweries: Good People Brewing Company and Monday Night Brewing Social Club. We also have a bunch of coffee shops nearby, such as East Pole Coffee Co. and The Red Cat, restaurants such as Tortuga\u2019s Pizza, Ted\u2019s, Michael\u2019s Restaurant, and Hero Doughnuts, and office neighbors such as Airship, Knight Eady, and Economic Development Partnership of Alabama.<\/p>\n
We are surrounded by many new apartment and condominium buildings, including Denham Lofts, Lumen, Macaroni Lofts, The Marshall on 3rd<\/sup>, 20 Midtown, and others. We are a very short drive from Birmingham\u2019s Medical District, including the University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB) campus, UAB Hospital, and Children\u2019s of Alabama. We are a quick and convenient stop for commuters, with very easy access to and from Interstate 65 just one block away from our store.<\/p>\n
REACH OUT TO OUR TEAM TODAY<\/h2>\n
If you have questions about daycare or any of the other services that we offer at Dogtopia of Birmingham - Parkside, please don\u2019t hesitate to reach out by phone at 205-607-8989 or our convenient <\/span>online inquiry form<\/a><\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n
![\"A](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/409\/2023\/11\/daycare1-690x500.png\")
Our Canine Coaches love playing with pups<\/p><\/div><\/li>
![\"Dogtopia](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/409\/2023\/11\/daycare7-690x497.png\")
Dogtopia of Birmingham-Parkside offers easy drop-off and pick-up<\/p><\/div><\/li>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/409\/2023\/11\/daycare3-690x498.png\")
One of Dogtopia of Birmingham-Parkside's indoor playrooms<\/p><\/div><\/li>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/409\/2023\/11\/daycare4-690x499.png\")
A pup relaxing at Dogtopia of Birmingham-Parkside<\/p><\/div><\/li>
![\"A](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/409\/2023\/11\/daycare6-690x501.png\")
Outdoor play at Dogtopia of Birmingham-Parkside<\/p><\/div><\/li>
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/409\/2023\/11\/daycare5-690x504.png\")
BFFFs (Best Furry Friends Forever)<\/p><\/div><\/li>
![\"Two](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/409\/2023\/11\/daycare2-690x499.png\")
Our Canine Coaches supervising outdoor play<\/p><\/div><\/li>
![\"Dog](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/217\/2018\/12\/Daycare-playroom2-690x461.jpg\")
A caring team you can trust<\/p><\/div><\/li>
![\"Dogs](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/217\/2018\/12\/Daycare-Open-Play-690x501.jpg\")
Open play fun<\/p><\/div><\/li>
![\"'View](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/217\/2018\/12\/Daycare-Dogtopia_Playroom-Tour-Stop-690x486.jpg\")
Playroom mirror<\/p><\/div><\/li>
![\"Black](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/217\/2018\/12\/Daycare-Dogtopia_Playroom-1-690x523.jpg\")
King of The hill<\/p><\/div><\/li>
![\"Certified](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/217\/2018\/12\/Daycare-playroom-690x461.jpg\")
Playtime<\/p><\/div><\/li>
![\"View](\"https:\/\/s3-prod.dogtopia.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/217\/2018\/12\/Daycare-webcams-690x503.jpg\")
- Craft days: <\/strong>With the help of our Coaches, our daycare dogs channel their inner artist with paw-painted masterpieces that make for the perfect keepsake or seasonal craft to take home.<\/li>\n
- Basic training: <\/strong>Our highly skilled team offers basic training, which can include simple commands, \u201cfollow the leader\u201d exercises, door control, name recall, and more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Playroom bubble parties: <\/strong>We host periodic bubble parties in our playrooms with bacon- and peanut butter-flavored bubbles that float around the room (and into our dogs\u2019 mouths). This is not only a fun, social element, but it also helps our pups expend their built-up energy chasing the bubbles around the room. This fun, tasty activity boosts their cardio and keeps them moving while learning to play nice with others.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
- Agility-focused exercises:<\/strong> Our pups participate in exercises disguised as fun games that keep their energy levels high as they work on their cardio and strengthen their focus. We have secure play equipment throughout our playrooms that they can run and climb on, which hones their agility skills. Our team also organizes fun obstacle courses that can include tunnels, tire jumps, weave poles, and more.<\/li>\n