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?
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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.
Step 1 — Confirm Requirements
To protect all dogs in our open-play environment, we require the following. If needed, we can contact your veterinarian directly to obtain vaccination records.
Vaccinations
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Rabies
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DHPP (sometimes listed as DAPP or DHLPP)
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Bordetella
Age and Spay/Neuter
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Puppies: At least 16 weeks old and fully vaccinated. We recommend starting daycare as soon as eligible to build routine and safe social skills early.
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Senior dogs: Welcome with no age limit as long as your dog comfortably participates in supervised play.
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Dogs 7 months and older: Must be spayed or neutered.
Step 2 — Book a Meet & Greet
The Meet & Greet is the starting point for every new dog. This complimentary appointment allows us to confirm your dog can succeed in an open-play environment and determine the best playroom placement.
During the Meet & Greet, we will:
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Review your dog’s social and health history
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Conduct a brief nose-to-tail wellness check
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Introduce your dog to a small, carefully matched group in a controlled setting
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Determine the appropriate playroom and help your dog acclimate
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Provide a tour of the facility and help you set up webcam access on our Dogtopia app.
The first month is an important adjustment period for your dog. We use this time to help them learn the routine, build confidence, and settle into their playgroup. We will review recommended plans and programs with you to support a strong start.
Step 3 — Your First Day
Once your dog is approved, the first daycare day is complimentary. A full day helps your dog:
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Learn the daily rhythm (check-in, supervised play, rest periods)
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Get familiar with the sights, sounds, and routines in a positive setting
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Build comfort with our team and environment before boarding (if applicable)
At pickup, we will provide a short report covering play style, rest, and overall comfort.
How Open-Play Works at Dogtopia Of Ellisville
Open-play daycare is structured group play with active supervision.
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Dogs are grouped by size and temperament
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Sessions alternate between guided activity and scheduled rest
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Coaches are trained to read body language and maintain safe play
Our facility includes three fully separated indoor playrooms with nearly 6,000 sq ft of dedicated play space. All playrooms are climate controlled and feature rubberized flooring to support joints and traction plus outdoor play space when weather allows.
Transparency matters. You can check your dog’s activity through live webcams throughout the day.
Questions Before You Visit?
If you have questions about requirements, vaccinations, or how the Meet & Greet works, our team is happy to assist.
Book your complimentary Meet & Greet to schedule your dog’s first visit.
Have additional questions? Please visit our FAQ page.
