Welcome to Dogtopia of Ellisville
This page explains exactly how to start daycare or boarding, what the requirements are, and what to expect at your Meet & Greet. Dogtopia is built around health, safety, and supervised open-play. Dogs are grouped by size and temperament, instructed throughout the day by trained Canine Coaches, and follow a routine that balances play with a planned rest period. You can check in on live webcams throughout the day.
Get started in 3 steps:
How much daycare is right for your dog? This short quiz will help in recommending the right wellness plan for your pup. Find the right plan
New to Dogtopia?
-
What is a Meet & Greet and why do I need one?
While we love all breeds and personalities, not every dog is suited for an off-leash, open-play environment. We take our doggie guests’ safety very seriously, so each Meet & Greet consists of 20-30 minutes with our trained evaluator to ensure that your pup is a good fit for daycare. It will include a health history overview, a nose-to-tail assessment, and an evaluation of their comfort level with other dogs in a controlled mini-play area. The process is very easy and ensures all dogs are comfortable at Dogtopia – we look forward to getting to know you and your furry family member better! Please note: All dogs must be fully vaccinated, including Rabies, DHLPP/DHPP and Bordetella vaccines. Dogs that are older than 7 months must be spayed or neutered.
Dogtopia requirements:
- Up-to-date on vaccinations including Rabies, DHLPP/DHPP, and Bordetella. Don’t have your records? We can call your vet for you!
- Dogs that are 7 months and older must be spayed/neutered
- Every dog at Dogtopia enjoys all-day open-play with other pups, so all dogs must be friendly toward other dogs and pass our temperament evaluation during the Meet & Greet.
- Your dog can stay on their meet and greet day so they have time to sniff us out and get use to the routine here. Daycare before their first overnight stay will ensure their comfort during the stay.
Step 1: Confirm your dog meets our safety requirements
Requirements
Vaccines required:
-
Rabies
-
DHPP (sometimes listed as DAPP or DHLPP)
-
Bordetella
(We are happy to contact your vet and request documentation if needed.)
Spay/neuter:
- Dogs 7 months and older must be spayed or neutered.
Age:
-
Puppies: Must be at least 16 weeks old and have received all rabies shots. Start daycare as soon as your puppy is eligible to build routine, confidence, and healthy social skills early.
-
Senior dogs: Welcome. No age limit, as long as your dog can safely participate in a supervised open-play environment. Regular daycare promotes mobility and aids in maintaining a healthy weight and level of muscle strength.
Step 2: Book A MEET & GREET
MEET & GREET
This is the starting point for every new dog. During this 30-minute appointment, our evaluator will learn your dog’s history, routines, and any sensitivities that matter for a safe daycare experience. We complete a structured assessment and introduce your dog gradually, so we can help them succeed in an off-leash, open-play environment. Once approved, we assign the right playroom based on size, temperament, play style, and confidence level.
Plan on about 30 minutes. During the visit we’ll:
-
Review health history and vaccination status
-
Do a quick nose-to-tail wellness check
-
Assess comfort with handling by our team
-
Introduce your dog to a small, matched group in a controlled setting
-
Confirm the best playroom placement and help your dog acclimate
What you leave with:
-
Approval for daycare and/or boarding
-
Immediate access to the Dogtopia App – watch live webcams and make future appointments.
-
A personalized enrollment plan tailored to your dog’s personality, energy level, and needs
If your dog is shy, anxious, or selective:
Dogtopia excels at helping new dogs adjust, and our socialization experts will guide you through what to expect. Some dogs need a slower on-ramp to group play so we start with lower-pressure one-on-one introductions and build confidence as we go.
Step 3: Your pup can stay for A FREE Day
First day on us
Most dogs settle faster after experiencing a full daycare day. After your Meet & Greet concludes, we encourage parents to leave their dog with us for a complimentary day of daycare.
- Get comfortable with our daily rhythm: build trust with our Canine Coaches, experience nap times, and have time to sniff out their new playmates.
- Experience the sights, sounds, and routines in small, positive doses
- Build happy associations with our team and facility before an overnight stay
At pickup, we will recap the day and share a report card covering play style, rest, and overall comfort.
What happens after you book
After your Meet & Greet appointment is set, you will receive an email to log-in to your online dashboard and complete registration and intake form. You can upload vaccines (or provide your vet info), and you’ll review and digitally sign the Pet Parent Agreement.
How open-play daycare works at Dogtopia of Ellisville
Open-play daycare is structured group play with active supervision and assigned playrooms. Dogs are carefully matched by size and temperament, and the day includes mental stimulation, physical exercise, and planned rest.
Our facility includes three spacious indoor play areas with joint-friendly rubber flooring, plus outdoor play space when weather allows. Transparency matters here. You can check in on live webcams throughout the day.
WHERE DOGS ARE A REALLY BIG DEAL
Because dogs are a really big deal to us, Meet & Greet day at Dogtopia is fun for the whole family – consider it an introduction to our open-play environment perfectly suited for your pup’s fitness and social life. In fact, don’t be surprised if your furry child meets his or her BFFF (best furry friend forever) while you’re here!
Have additional questions? Please visit our FAQ page.
