By Jennifer Russo

Whether you added a new pup to your home over the holidays, are planning on doing some travel without your furry friend or have been looking for just the right place where you can leave your favorite canine companion for the day, Dogtopia understands that dogs are more than just pets, they are a part of your family. 

Dogs are unique in that they are full of unconditional love; they give all of themselves to the people who care for them, expecting nothing in return except some food and attention. They bring a joy to their owners that can’t really be described, so finding a caregiver for them is an important choice for any pup-parent. 

Dogtopia is committed to giving these extended family members a happy, loving, and safe environment to play and learn in. With their state-of-the-art facility, impeccable safety standards, and certified animal-loving team members who are expertly trained to meet the needs of every pup, dog moms and dads can rest assured that their animals are very well taken care of and having a fabulous time.

Dogtopia, located in the Franklin Village shopping area, aims to be a haven for dogs by creating a fun and engaging environment for them while their owners are busy with work, errands, vacations, or other responsibilities.

“We want your pup to look forward to coming here. Nothing makes us happier than when one of our furry clients shows up and their tails are wagging in excitement to start their day with their friends,” says Dogtopia Director Amy Hughes.

The Franklin Dogtopia location has three spacious playrooms where the dogs are placed based on their size, temperament and play style. Safety is always the first priority, and there are a number of protocols in place to ensure the pups’ wellbeing, such as certified staff, compressed rubber flooring to reduce impact on the dogs’ joints, soundproofing, a climate-controlled environment, and pet-friendly cleaning supplies.

Dogtopia requires a meet and greet for new clients, so that they can find the best placement for the pup, since all dogs are different. Each dog needs to be fit for an open play environment, and they conduct a thorough temperament test during this visit to better understand how the pup prefers to interact with others.

“We want to safely socialize the pups so they can release their energy, while getting lots of exercise and having fun,” shares Hughes. “We have agility exercises, brain games, and more. It’s an activity-filled day that will leave pups happy and fulfilled, so when they go home, they can relax and snuggle with their families.”

All dogs need to be at least 12 weeks of age and must be up to date on all required vaccinations (Rabies, Canine Influenza, DHPP, and Bordetella). Dogs 7 months old and up must also be spayed/neutered. If you don’t have the records on hand, Dogtopia is able to call your vet and obtain them for you.

For those who welcomed a new pet to the family this year, Amy shares some important tips:

1) Early socialization is extremely important so that the pup understands how to act within different environments and becomes more desensitized to distractions.

2) Be consistent with everything and have a routine in place that the pup can expect. A certain mealtime, play time, bedtime, potty time, etc. can make all the difference.

3) Be patient and calm while training. All dogs are different, and no pup is perfect. Praise for good behaviors and calmly correct those that need improvement.

“If the dog is still a puppy, we do offer a puppy pre-school that can help dogs acclimate early and be more adaptable,” she says. “Bringing any pup into Dogtopia is always a win, because they will learn to safely socialize, have fun playing in a structured way, and reinforce good behaviors that make home life even smoother.”

Dogtopia promises peace of mind for dog parents, with live webcams in every playroom that can be looked at any time, and periodic report cards to keep them in the loop. 

In addition to daycare, boarding and spa services are also available. Homestyle crates are set up comfortably for rest and that feeling of “home away from home” and pups can even be pampered with a bath, nail trim and blueberry facial!

Dogtopia operates with a community mindset, with events that clients can take part in with their pups, such as a craft day where pups create gifts for their human parents, themed dance parties, Mini Mondays which offer specialized play for small dogs, and more. They even recently had a Santa and pup photo op and an ugly sweater party.

In addition to helping the community by caring for local pets, the Dogtopia Foundation also comes togetswher to raise money for important causes, such as service dogs for Veterans. Stay tuned to learn how to help them with these efforts.

Does your pup need a place for socialization, exercise, love, and endless fun? Take advantage of a special, limited time offer – for just $99 a week, your pup can enjoy unlimited daycare visits. This deal won’t last long, so grab it while it’s available!  

Learn more about Dogtopia of Franklin Village and their amazing services by visiting https://www.dogtopia.com/massachusetts-franklin-village/ or check out their Instagram at @DogtopiaFranklinVillage

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