St. Paul – University Ave Dog Daycare

Are you a St. Paul or Minneapolis-based pet parent looking for ways to boost your dog’s health and wellness? At Dogtopia of St. Paul - University Ave, we take pride in being the best dog daycare in Minneapolis & St. Paul. We have a trained team of doggy experts who will help your pup live their best life by targeting their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing at daycare.

Just like you, we want the best for your furry family member. Rest assured that when your pup attends daycare, our team will strive to improve their overall health and longevity.

A LOOK INSIDE OUR DOG DAYCARE PLAYROOMS

Dogtopia of St. Paul - University Ave offers a variety of services designed to provide dogs with a fun, safe, and stimulating environment. Our over 6,000-square-foot facility features three separate playrooms to accommodate dogs of different sizes, temperaments, and energy levels. Daycare provides all-day supervised care, allowing your dog to play, learn, and interact with others while you’re at work or away.

We have the Toybox for smaller dogs, creating a safe and comfortable space where they can play with others of similar size. The Romper room is designed for larger, high-energy dogs that need more space to burn off energy and engage in active play. For larger dogs with a more relaxed demeanor, the Gym provides a calmer environment where they can play at a slower pace. We also offer a spacious outdoor play area where dogs can enjoy fresh air and socialize in a secure setting.

When designing our playrooms, we considered all the factors that would keep pups happy and comfortable throughout the day. Every detail has been considered, from the flooring to the doors, the walls, and even the air surrounding them. Here’s what you can expect:

• Flooring: All our playroom floors are made from a compressed rubberized material that is comfortable for dogs’ paw pads and supports the health of their joints. It is also non-absorbent and odor-resistant, making any “in-the-moment” potty accidents a breeze to clean. We stand out from other dog daycare facilities, which often use cement or gravel in their play areas.
• Walls: We used soundproof, floor-to-ceiling walls rather than flimsy dividers to create complete separation between playrooms. This keeps distractions at bay so pups can focus on all the fun they’re having!
• Doors: As a safety precaution, we have built double-barrier doors that create extra space between all our playrooms and the main hall. This helps to control our entry and exit points so daycare dogs never leave their playroom without being monitored.
• Webcams: We understand that pet parents want to stay connected with their furry friends, even when they’re apart. That’s why we’ve installed HD webcams in all playrooms (including the outdoors one) so you can catch the playtime action from your phone or desktop. Please note that we turn off streaming between noon and 2 p.m. to allow pups to rest and eat lunch.

THE HIGHEST STANDARDS OF CLEANLINESS

Maintaining a fresh, clean environment is important to Dogtopia, setting the industry standard for running a safe and clean doggy daycare. Our team follows the protocols developed by Dogtopia’s Veterinary Scientist and Environmental Biologist, which include twice-daily deep cleaning on all playroom surfaces using non-toxic, dog-safe products. We also use a bio-enzymatic spot cleaner during the day, so your pup will never be exposed to harsh chemicals.

Another way we contribute to the cleanliness of our facility is through our state-of-the-art HVAC systems that filter in fresh, clean air every 11 minutes. This not only addresses odors but also creates an indoor atmosphere in our playrooms that resembles the freshness of the outdoors, ensuring that potty training at home remains unaffected.

THE BENEFITS OF DOG DAYCARE IN ST. PAUL, MN

At Dogtopia of St. Paul - University Ave, we understand that leaving your dog in daycare for the first time can be a big decision, but the benefits are huge for both dogs and their parents. Our daycare provides a safe and stimulating environment where your pup can socialize, exercise, and build confidence while under the supervision of trained professionals.

Instead of being home alone, daycare dogs enjoy playtime with others, helping them burn off energy, reduce boredom, and prevent destructive behaviors that can sometimes arise when dogs are left alone. Plus, they have the freedom to run around and play off-leash in a secure space around like-minded dogs—something an outdoor dog park, for example, can’t always guarantee.

Our team is passionate about giving your furry friend the attention and care they deserve, and we focus on making each day stimulating with plenty of exercise, mental engagement, and socialization. This helps improve your dog’s overall behavior and wellbeing so they’re relaxed and happy when they come home. On average, daycare pups take 60k steps in a day (seven times more than dogs at home), which is a great way to boost their cardiovascular health and maintain their weight.

From indoor playroom bubble parties, craft days, and themed photoshoots to agility-focused exercises and mentally engaging brain games, we take pride in creating a place where dogs can thrive while giving you peace of mind, knowing they’re in the best hands.

At Dogtopia of St. Paul - University Ave, we make it easy to tailor daycare to your schedule by offering both half-day and full-day options. For added convenience and savings, we provide weekly and monthly enrollment plans that help create a daycare routine your pup will thrive on. These plans ensure your furry friend enjoys regular activity, socialization, and mental enrichment week to week.

WHAT A DAY LOOKS LIKE AT DOGGY DAYCARE

The day starts with our morning crowd of daycare goers. Energy is high, and playtime begins right away to help pups expend the energy they built up the night before. Seeing how happy our daycare dogs are when they meet up with their furry friend circle and socialize will never get old!

Throughout the morning, they’ll work on their cardio as they play and participate in agility-focused exercises. We also have opportunities for them to enjoy mind-stimulating brain games to keep their mental muscle strong. Depending on the day, we’ll hold themed events and activities, which you can keep track of by contacting our team or visiting our events page.

At noon, we pause the playtime for lunch so pups can eat, rest, and recharge. By 2 p.m., they feel revitalized and ready to play again. When pick-up time arrives, your happily exhausted dog will be all set for snoozeland, a state we refer to as the Dogtopia Daze.

MEET OUR TEAM OF DOG EXPERTS

Our dedicated team of Canine Coaches watches over pups in our playrooms and helps create a fun, engaging experience. Before supervising our playrooms, every Coach completes an intensive four-part training program designed to equip them with the expertise to work with dogs of all sizes, breeds, and temperaments. This program is recognized for continuing education credits by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers.

By understanding subtle changes in dog behavior and body language, our team can meet each pup’s needs throughout the day, including recognizing when they may need to take a break during playtime to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

As our team spends time with your furry friend, we get to know them better and can track their progress. We share this information in our periodic report cards, highlighting your dog’s behavior, social interactions, and overall observations while in daycare. An A+ report card that details how your pup is excelling is something you’ll definitely want to hang on the fridge!

ADD A TRIP TO OUR MODERN DOG SPA IN THE CITY OF ST. PAUL

What better way to celebrate a fun day at daycare than with a relaxing trip to our spa? Our expert spa team creates a comforting environment to help ease any nerves and give the pampering pups deserve. From teeth brushing to baths and more, your dog can feel and look their best as we help them maintain their hygiene routine.

YOUR FIRST VISIT TO Dogtopia of St. Paul - University Ave

First-time visitors to Dogtopia of St. Paul - University Ave will need to book a Meet & Greet. This 20-30-minute evaluation process allows us to get to know your dog and make sure our off-leash, open-play daycare is an ideal environment for them.

We’ll start by reviewing your pup’s health history and performing a nose-to-tail assessment. This helps us observe their overall wellbeing and note any touch sensitivities they may have. Next, we’ll introduce your dog to a small play area with a few like-minded pups and observe their social interactions. We will also assess their comfort with our home-style crates, which are used for naps.

Once the evaluation is complete, we’ll share our findings with you and let you know if daycare is a good fit or if your dog could benefit from further preparation. During this process, we’ll also answer any questions you have so you’ll feel completely confident about our services and your pup’s experience with us.

Dogtopia also has a set of requirements that are necessary for all dogs to meet before they can attend daycare. All pups must be:

• At least 12 weeks old
• Vaccinated with an updated record, including Bordetella, Rabies, and DHLPP/DHPP (also known as distemper/parvo)
• Spayed/neutered if seven months and older (also dependent on development)
• Free from any communicable conditions (e.g., fleas, ticks, etc.)
• In good overall health
• Non-aggressive

Our team will inform you if any other requirements are necessary. If you have questions, please reach out to our team.

FIND US AT 2418 UNIVERSITY AVE W, ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA

We can’t wait for your pup to be part of our Dogtopia family! Owners Sophie and Ian Nancekivell and the entire team at Dogtopia of St. Paul - University Ave are excited to get to know your furry friend. Contact us today to learn more about starting your dog’s daycare journey or reach out at 651-432-4040.

Our location proudly welcomes pet parents in St. Anthony Park, Prospect Park, Merriam Park, Mac-Groveland, Highland, Como, St. Paul (and surrounding suburbs), NE Minneapolis, and downtown Minneapolis. We are actively involved in our community and value our partnerships with Canine Inspired Change and Dog Haus Mobile Vet immensely.

We’re conveniently located near the University of Minnesota, U of MN Hospitals, St. Thomas University, College of St. Catherine, Macalester College, Hamline University, Surly Brewing, and Lake Monster Brewing. Only a short drive away from grocers like Trader Joe’s, Target, Costco, and other nearby stores, you can drop your pup off at daycare as you go about your day.

Our facility is just two blocks off 280 on University Ave with easy access from I-94. With free parking in the rear of our building (entering from University Avenue or Myrtle Street) and 16 parking spaces, pick-up and drop-off is a breeze. We are also located on the Green Line Light Rail, running along University Ave.