Inside Dogtopia's first Denton location, dogs of all sizes are spending their days making friends, chasing bubbles and playing games. Some are running around with their fellow pups, while others are practicing commands with canine coaches or taking a break from the excitement.
For the dogs, it's a day filled with fun. For their owners, it's an opportunity to give their four-legged family members the exercise, socialization and mental stimulation they need to thrive.
Officially opened Sept. 28, Dogtopia offers daycare, boarding and spa services, with a focus on creating a safe, enriching environment for every dog.
The location is led by franchise owner Ronnie Howell, pet parent relationship manager Taylor Howell and general manager Travis Howell, who share a passion for helping dogs live happier, healthier lives.
What inspired the Howell family to open Dogtopia in Denton?
The Howell family's journey with Dogtopia began long before they became franchise owners.
After years of bringing their own dogs to Dogtopia locations, the family became familiar with the company's approach to canine care. When Ronnie Howell retired and began exploring opportunities to start a business with his family, Dogtopia stood out.
"We tried other daycare centers, and we were so impressed with Dogtopia. Anywhere we were, we always looked for a Dogtopia to take our dogs to," Ronnie Howell said.
Choosing Denton was another easy decision. During their first visit, the family noticed the community's enthusiasm for dogs, including signs advertising the city's Dog Days event. The city's welcoming atmosphere and dog-friendly culture convinced them that Denton was the right place to establish their business.
How does Dogtopia support dogs' physical and mental well-being?
During their time in daycare, dogs participate in supervised open play, socialize with other dogs and engage in activities that challenge their minds.
Canine coaches incorporate activities such as bubbles, dance parties and interactive games that reinforce basic commands and encourage positive behaviors.
For example, one activity involves drawing circles on the playroom floor and teaching dogs to sit, stay and respect boundaries. These exercises can help reinforce skills that translate into everyday situations, such as waiting patiently before walking through a doorway.
Daycare can also help shy dogs and recent rescues build confidence.
Because Dogtopia separates dogs into three playrooms based on size and temperament, staff members can gradually introduce more timid dogs to new environments and higher-energy playgroups as they become comfortable.
The Howells recalled working with a rescue dog who was initially too frightened to enter the facility. Over several weeks, staff members patiently encouraged the dog, celebrating small milestones until he was comfortable enough to participate in his first full day of daycare.
"It was really hard to get him confident enough to walk in the door, so to see him go from that to the dog that's playing today really makes every ounce of the effort we put in worth it," Travis Howell said.
Dogtopia also offers flexible daycare enrollment options, including single-day visits, weekly plans ranging from one to three days and unlimited daycare.
What other services are available at Dogtopia?
In addition to daycare, Dogtopia offers overnight boarding and spa services to help pet parents meet their dogs' needs.
Boarding: Overnight guests participate in up to 10 hours of open play during the day before settling in for the night. For dogs who regularly attend daycare, boarding provides a familiar environment with coaches and playmates they already know.
Spa services: Available services include baths, nail care, teeth cleaning, ear cleaning and blueberry facials. Additionally, they are working with local groomers to add haircuts and styling services in 2027. Products are made by Dogtopia, so the team is aware of every ingredient in them.
Dogtopia also offers DASH, a wearable activity tracker that attaches to a dog's collar and records movement throughout the day.
At the end of a daycare session, staff members scan the device to generate a report showing how much time a dog spent walking, running and resting. The information is adjusted based on factors such as the dog's breed, age and weight.
The technology allows pet parents to better understand how active their dogs are during daycare. Travis Howell recalled one day when the family's dog, Luke, recorded 16 miles of movement during a single daycare session.
Beyond measuring physical activity, DASH can also serve as a wellness tool by helping staff identify unusual changes in a dog's behavior.
Taylor Howell shared an example from another Dogtopia location, where staff members noticed a significant drop in a dog's activity levels through DASH. During a routine wellness check, they also discovered a small lump and encouraged the pet parent to seek veterinary care.
“The veterinarian ended up catching cancer super early in the dog, where they were able to treat it before it became a huge problem,” Taylor Howell said.
What is the “Dogtopia difference”?
Since its founding in 2002, Dogtopia has developed what the Howell family describes as the "Dogtopia difference," an approach that prioritizes canine health, safety and well-being through research, education and ongoing improvements.
According to Ronnie Howell, Dogtopia's research suggests that consistent daycare attendance, particularly three days per week, could add approximately two years to a dog's life. The company uses its research and insights from tools such as DASH to better understand how regular exercise, socialization and enrichment contribute to canine wellness.
That commitment also extends to the company's training and safety standards.
Team members complete approximately 30-35 hours of training covering dog behavior, illness recognition, playroom management, cleaning procedures and emergency response, and they must complete at least 15 hours before entering a playroom, with additional education continuing throughout their employment.
Dogtopia also shares new research, training materials and updated safety information with franchisees, allowing individual locations to continually improve their practices.
According to the Howell family, communication between locations is another important part of the company's approach. Franchise owners regularly exchange ideas, discuss challenges and share successful practices, while Dogtopia's support office provides access to experts in veterinary medicine, canine behavior, training and environmental health.
This collaborative approach allows the Denton team to seek guidance when questions arise and incorporate new information into its daily operations.
How does Dogtopia prioritize safety and transparency?
For the Howell family, maintaining a safe environment is central to every aspect of Dogtopia's operations.
Before joining a playroom, dogs undergo a meet-and-greet evaluation to assess their behavior and temperament and verify that they meet the facility's vaccination and spay/neuter requirements.
The facility also incorporates several safety-focused features, including rubberized flooring designed to be gentle on dogs' joints and paws, specialized doors and an HVAC system that continuously circulates outside air.
Pet parents can access live webcams through the Dogtopia app to watch their dogs throughout the day.
Beyond the cameras, the Howell family emphasizes open communication with pet parents, offering facility tours and answering questions about their dogs' care.
As the family continues welcoming Denton dogs through its doors, their goal is to build lasting relationships with local pet parents while providing a place where dogs can feel comfortable, stay active and make new friends.
Those interested in learning more about Dogtopia in Denton can find information here:
Address: 2311 Colorado Blvd., Ste. 103, Denton
Phone number: 940-234-1555
What spa services are available for dogs at Dogtopia?
Dogtopia offers a variety of spa services to help pet parents meet their dogs' needs. The available services include baths, nail care, teeth cleaning, ear cleaning and blueberry facials. They are also working with local groomers to add haircuts and styling services in 2027.
All products used in the spa are made by Dogtopia, which ensures that the team is aware of every ingredient contained in them.
What daycare enrollment options does Dogtopia offer?
Dogtopia provides flexible daycare enrollment options for pet owners. These options include single-day visits, weekly plans ranging from one to three days and unlimited daycare.
How does the DASH activity tracker help monitor a dog's health and activity?
The DASH device is a wearable activity tracker that attaches to a dog's collar to record movement throughout the day. At the end of a daycare session, staff members scan the device to generate a report showing how much time the dog spent walking, running and resting, with the information adjusted for the dog's breed, age and weight.
In addition to measuring physical activity, the tracker serves as a wellness tool by helping staff identify unusual changes in a dog's behavior.
