Meet & Greet

What To Expect

You will be greeted by one of our staff, and the Meet & Greet is conducted on-site by one of our trained professionals. A typical Meet & Greet usually goes like this:

• It begins with an overview of paperwork, history, and health with the pet parent.
• After the overview, you will be guided through an 11-stop tour of the facility, so you know where your dog will spend their day.
• Once complete, your pup joins our team member in an evaluation room to observe how they react when away from their dog mom or dog dad.
• During the evaluation, we conduct a nose to tail assessment to identify sensitivities in touch that your dog may have. If a dog is sensitive to touch in one area, this is not necessarily an issue, but it is important for their comfort that our team is aware of it.
• We then bring a few additional dogs into the controlled mini play area one at a time to assess your pup’s comfort level. Our team member observes how they interact with the other dogs to assess their comfort with an open-play environment.
• We will also assess their comfort level in a crate or suite, which are only used for rest, naptime, boarding, and feedings (when applicable).
• Our team member will then share what they learned with the pet parent. If for some reason the dog is not yet ready for open play, we will recommend steps the pet parent can take to help address the observed concern(s). Any dog that is not yet comfortable is always welcome back once they are ready to join the playroom.

The process is very easy, and there is nothing to be nervous about at Dogtopia—we look forward to getting to know your pup better! Request your Meet & Greet by filling out this form.

*Please note that although we are an open-play environment, we do allow a private nap for each dog in individual crates from 12 to 2 p.m. Similar to children in a daycare, this allows a short rest for the dogs and also allows staff to prepare and serve meals and medications (when applicable) and thoroughly clean the playroom before an afternoon of open play. Puppies often need more frequent naps, and our team is trained to pick up on puppy cues, so you may see puppies in and out of play throughout the day.

WHAT TO Bring TO YOUR MEET & GREET

• Your dog(s) on a leash with a collar or harness upon entry.
• We appreciate you completing your online registration prior to your visit. If you have not uploaded your vaccination records, please bring them with you or your daycare is happy to contact your veterinarian on your behalf!

WHO CAN STAY WITH US?

We do not turn away dogs based on breed. To ensure the safety of all our guests, we require all dogs staying with us for daycare or overnight boarding to meet the following criteria:

• Dogs must first undergo a Meet & Greet with our Dogtopia team.
• All dogs must be at least 12 weeks of age or older, and fully vaccinated.
• All dogs 7 months or older must be spayed or neutered. Depending on development, sooner alteration may be required by our facility.
• All dogs must have up-to-date vaccinations. Pet parents need to provide documentation of Rabies, DHPP and Bordetella vaccinations. Some locations require the Canine Influenza vaccine. Vaccinations must be given by a vet 48 hours (seven days preferred) before attending daycare.
• All dogs must be in good health. Pet parents will certify that their dog(s) are in good health and have not been ill with a communicable condition within the last 30 days.
• Upon admission, all dogs must be free of any condition that could potentially jeopardize other guests, including fleas or ticks. Dogs that have been ill with a communicable condition in the last 30 days will require veterinarian certification of health to be admitted or readmitted.
• All dogs must be non-aggressive and not food or toy-protective. Pet parents will certify their dogs have not harmed or shown any aggressive or threatening behavior toward any person or dog. The safety and health of all of our guests is our top priority.
• All dogs must have a complete, up-to-date, and approved application on file to attend daycare or board with us. It is also strongly recommended that a dog attend at least one day of daycare (preferably three) prior to boarding. This will help us get to know your dog’s personality and preference and allow your dog to know he/she is going home, get to know staff and other dogs, and feel comfortable in our open-play environment.

Because dogs are a really big deal to us, evaluation 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 they are here!

VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS

Vaccine protection against highly contagious and potentially deadly viruses and bacteria will mean less risk of dogs getting sick. If all dogs who are playing together are current on their vaccines, then you can be assured that your pup will be playing with fully vaccinated friends. Dogtopia requires all dogs to be up-to-date on the following vaccinations:

RABIES

Rabies is required once at or before 16 weeks of age in puppies, boosted again a year later, and then every three years going forward. Dogs are required by law to be vaccinated against the rabies virus because this deadly virus can spread to humans.

If an unvaccinated dog breaks the skin of a person or another dog, your local laws will require you to have the dog quarantined for a minimum of 10 days (but could be as long as six months). Dogtopia allows your pup to come play once he/she is both 12 weeks old AND fully vaccinated.

DHPP/DHLPP

DHPP/DHLPP (also known as “distemper/parvo”) is required as a puppy series beginning at 6–8 weeks old, boosted twice at three-week intervals, and then again a year later. Like rabies, after the first year, the distemper/parvo combination vaccine can be given every three years. Leptospirosis (the “L” in some distemper combination vaccines) should be included in the annual combination vaccine due to recent increases in Leptospirosis cases. Leptospirosis needs to be boosted annually. This is important because Leptospirosis can be deadly to dogs and is transferable to humans!

BORDETELLA

Bordetella is required to be current. The Bordetella vaccine helps control and reduce the spread of some of the germs that cause canine cough. If a dog that has been vaccinated with the Bordetella vaccine still acquires canine cough, they will have a less severe form that resolves faster than a dog who is not vaccinated. The germs that cause canine cough are very similar to the common cold in humans with mild coughing and sometimes a runny nose. Symptoms usually resolve within a week.

CANINE INFLUENZA

The Canine Influenza vaccine may be required and is highly recommended to prevent the chance of your dog contracting the flu. Please check with your Dogtopia center for specific vaccination requirements.

In order to allow time for your dog to develop an immune response from vaccines, please make veterinary appointments seven to 10 days prior to attending Dogtopia. Check with your veterinarian to see if your dog’s vaccine boosters (not the initial vaccine) may provide adequate immune response sooner than seven days.

To request your dog’s Meet & Greet, please fill out this form. If you have any questions about our dog daycare, overnight, or spa services, please fill out our contact form.