Dogtopia of Albuquerque West — Attraction in Albuquerque

My initial frustration with this place started when I was trying to schedule a meet and greet for my fur kid so she could have doggy daycare to go to one-two times a week with the occasional boarding. I submitted the vaccine records online through my account a week and a half before my scheduled meet and greet, however, I was told 20 minutes before my appointment that my dog needed to have one of her shots updated. This was on a Sunday so it was impossible to meet that requirement. I take full responsibility for not keeping an eye on that, but why would you tell a dog owner 20 minutes before their appointment on a Sunday that they need to have updated shots? That should have been caught within a day or two. When we did come in for the meet and greet the worker who was supposed to be conducting this meet and greet did not introduce himself to me nor did he take the time to have my fur kid sniff him or become familiar with him. He just took her to the back while I spoke to the girl upfront (where I had to provide my information again, which was the second time. Apparently when you create your online profile it doesn’t transmit to what they have at their Dogtopia location). I stood by the monitor with the receptionist watching my fur baby on the camera looking scared and having anxiety. She had at least 10 dogs immediately approach her. I observed the workers just standing around watching everything happen. I was hoping that this place would provide a little more interaction than somebody just staring at my fur kid. If I knew that was going to happen I could’ve hired a middle schooler at a fraction of the cost that Dogtopia is charging. The worker indicated to the girl upfront that my dog “lunged” at a dog twice, and she is exhibiting aggressive behavior. They also pointed out that she was clingy. At this time they disclosed to me that I would not be able to have my dog stay there for daycare or boarding because of this “aggressive behavior”. I just want people who are reading this to know that my dog is an 11 pound bichon poodle who has never attacked another dog in the four years that I’ve had her. Nor will I credit a worker who deemed himself as a “trainer” when I have not been shown the credentials that they are indeed a certified dog trainer. The workers did not indicate to me at all that they have the knowledge, skills, or the experience for dog care. In fact I would say it was lackadaisical at best. I did not witness my dog lunge at another dog when I was watching on the camera and I want to point out that the girl upfront didn’t witness that either and in fact she stated that my fur kid looked scared. I would highly recommend people seek other arrangements for their dogs. I know I will be looking elsewhere for dog daycare...

This Dogtopia basically had 50% custody of my dog Lucia over a 3.5 year period. This review is for the time spent under Ben's ownership of this location (though I had no issues under previous ownership, either). I worked up to 12 hour shifts that didn't end until well after they were closed for the night, so Lucia would board on those nights. This was usually two to three nights a week, with partial day-day care on either side, pretty much every week of the year, for years. Overall they were great. The staff was caring, professional, and competent. I do feel that they accept too many dogs sometimes, especially in comparison to the number of staffers they have available to wrangle them. I don't believe they are outside of industry standards in this regard, but I think the industry standards are 'crapiola' as my Mom would say. But...capitalism, I guess. I also think they accepted some dogs on the fringes of being behaviorally appropriate for the environment (maybe even mine sometimes! 😄), but they were pretty fluent at mitigating the fallout of those situations. There were a couple of times she came home with injuries that couldn't be explained, or we had food mix ups, or tummy troubles, but honestly, these were few and far between; and some minor scuffs and scrapes and stress based responses are to be expected in this type of environment, especially given the amount of time she spent there. The only reason we stopped going there is that I moved out of state for work last October. Since then, Lucia hasn't been in daycare or boarding a single day. We've got a half acre fenced yard she can run in, and we go on walks daily. I can say she is a much calmer, less reactive dog without living at a daycare half time. Though I do think she misses her human and canine companions at her home away from home. I may put her back into daycare a day or two a week now that we're settled here, just to give her that social time and some variety from the daily grind of walks and squirrel/muskrat/deer chasing, but hope to never have to have a half time dog again. I would say that I don't think the daycare environment is the best fit for all dogs, especially for multiple days/nights a week on an ongoing basis. But if it does work for your dog, or if it's the best option you have in a difficult work or life situation, I really don't think you will find a better option than this Dogtopia. I believe they truly care about the dogs, and their guardians, and run a pretty tight...

We appreciate how thorough Dogtopia is when it comes to learning if the doggo is a good fit for their establishment and guests. The application for a meet and greet was simple and easy to fill out. I love the idea of a meet and greet as well because it keeps all the guests and staff in a safe environment. I disagree with a few reviews complaining that there is a fee for a meet and greet. It definitely should have a fee- it is a service being provided and it could potentially put the staff person in harms way if the new dog is real bad. $16 isn't unreasonable to make sure everyone is safe and getting along.

During the meet and greet- a staff member will bring your doggo to the back area to have a meet and greet in a safe and controlled space. While that was happening, another staff member answered all my questions after explaining how the process works and talking about the whole place. Was informative and I thought it was a great place for all the doggos to make friends and have fun.

Our doggo didn't pass her meet and greet- (we were not charged anything. I am not sure if this was by mistake or the normal process when a doggo doesn't pass.) However, the staff was so kind and gracious about this. They explained that she is not a bad dog, just a people and cat lover dog. They gave me some solid advice and some suggestions on how to help our doggo become a little more of a dog accepting doggo. That doesn't mean it will allow her to go there anytime soon for playdates, she has a long way to go- but the staff was great about the experience.

Doggo is still allowed to use the grooming and had a spa day. She had a bath, deshed, ears, teeth, and nails done. (Roughly $60+ and tax) A little grouchy pants about her nails, but the staff did a fantastic job and oooeeeee doggo smells good as heck! So soft and shiny! She got this beautiful bandana too! My friend is now thinking of bringing her doggo here because of how beautiful our doggo looks and smells....