Welcome to Dogtopia of Ellisville!
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?
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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.
MEET & GREET
Step 1: Confirm your dog meets our requirements
New Pet Parent Info, we have a few non-negotiables to protect every dog in an open-play setting:
Vaccines (required):
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Rabies
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Distemper (also listed as DHPP or DAPP)
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Bordetella
Age and spay/neuter:
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Puppies must be at least 16 weeks old and fully vaccinated.
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Dogs 7 months and older must be spayed or neutered.
No vaccine records on hand? We can contact your vet and request documentation.
Step 2: Book a Meet & Greet
This is an evaluation and orientation every new dog begins with before daycare or boarding. Think of it as a guided first day where we learn your dog’s comfort level, set them up to succeed, and provide you with all the new pet parent info.
Not every dog is ready to jump straight into a busy playroom on day one. That is normal. Our trained behavior specialists meet around a dozen new dogs each week, and we excel at helping dogs build confidence and find the right fit.
Plan on about 30 minutes. During the visit we’ll:
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Review your dog’s health history and vaccination status
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Do a quick nose-to-tail wellness check
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Assess comfort with handling by our team
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Introduce your dog to a small, select group of dogs matched by size and play style
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Designate the best playroom for them and help acclimate
What you leave with:
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Approval for daycare and/or boarding
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Immediate access to the Dogtopia App – watch live webcams and make future appointments.
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A personalized enrollment plan tailored to your dog’s personality, energy level, and needs
For shy, anxious, or selective dogs
Some dogs need a slower on-ramp to group play. We specialize in those dogs. If your dog is cautious with new people, overwhelmed in new places, or selective with other dogs, we will start with lower-pressure introductions and build from there.
Step 3: Your Pup CAN STAY FOR Daycare on Us!
Most dogs feel noticeably more confident and relaxed after experiencing a full daycare day—and we’re so sure of it, your dog’s first daycare session is complimentary! Having your pup stay for a daycare day lets them:
- Get comfortable with our daily rhythm: smooth check-in, supervised play, nap times, and calm transitions
- Experience the sights, sounds, and routines in small, positive doses
- Build happy associations with our team and facility before an overnight stay
When you return at pickup, one of our Canine Coaches will give you a complete recap of your pup’s day, plus a personalized report card detailing how they played, rested, and settled in with their new friends.
WHAT TO EXPECT Next:
How open-play daycare works at Dogtopia of Ellisville
Open play is structured group play with active supervision, and assigned playrooms.
At our Ellisville location near Ballwin and West St. Louis County, dogs play in separate playrooms matched by size and temperament, supervised by trained Canine Coaches. Our facility includes multiple large indoor play spaces with joint-friendly rubber flooring, plus outdoor play space when weather permits.
Transparency matters here:
You can check in on your dog on our live webcams during the day Have additional questions? Please visit our FAQ page.
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!
