by Emily Campbell

Dogtopia offers pets a slice of paradise

The dog days of summer are finally here.

And Sue Dietrich, owner of Dogtopia in Clarksville, is ready.

Dogtopia, an upscale day care for canines, is designed with the feel of an upbeat, sophisticated spa. Dietrich can accommodate up to 80 dogs per day, with one caregiver for every 10 to 15 dogs. The day care includes a gymnasium, romper room and lounge to suit different sizes and personalities of canines.

"We were just blown away by the concept," Dietrich said. "It was wonderful to see the dogs playing with other dogs all day long, instead of sitting in cages."

Dietrich had worked in the information technology field for about 15 years when her daughter was born and she became a stay-at-home mom. When it came time for her to start working again, she started petsitting part-time.

"I had a lot of fin [petsitting.] I liked meeting all the different dogs and families," Dietrich said. She decided to open a Dogtopia franchise when she saw an article about the company.

Formerly Happy Tails Dog Spa, Dogtopia was founded in 2002 by Amy Nichols, a Sykesville native. They started offering franchise options in 2005.

"The pet care industry is growing at an astronomical rate with over 60 percent of U.S. households owning pets," Nichols said. "Additionally, of those surveyed, more than 80 percent of pet owners worry about their pets at work, making dog day care one of the most popular pet care services in the industry."

Dietrich also offers bathing stations, training classes and, in the near future, grooming services at Dogtopia. Each dog undergoes a behavioral evaluation before it is allowed to play with the other dogs.

The best part by far to Dietrich is the dogs' interaction with one another. "The comment we hear the most from owners is that they can tell their dogs are excited to come here," she said. "That's what I think is cool."

© The Baltimore Examiner 2007