Remember how exciting summer camp was? New friends, outdoor adventures, swimming, and coming home happily exhausted at the end of the day. It turns out dogs love those same experiences, too. Just like our kids, dogs benefit from exercise, socialization, routine, and opportunities to learn something new. So whether your pup is a social butterfly or simply needs a little extra enrichment, the right summer experience can help them come home happier and healthier.
And Jean Stelten-Beuning, owner and founder of Top Dog Country Club, knows this all too well. She shares with us why doggy summer camp is about so much more than playtime. It's an investment in your dog’s overall well-being.
Located in Carver County, Jean founded Top Dog Country Club nearly 25 years ago with the principle of bringing hospitality to pet owners and their dogs. Since then, Top Dog proudly includes professional training services, doggy daycare, transportation, and spa services, offering the ultimate summer camp for your dog.
Top Dog prioritizes the highest caliber of service and summer fun while your pet is a guest. In fact, similar to a daycare for children, they have ratios of trainers to pets. Their ratio is set at one staff member per eight dogs, ensuring your pet receives the individualized care, attention, and socialization they need.
“Top Dog Country Club stands out because we provide excellence in every service offered. We take a custom approach to our care for each dog,” says Jean.
During their summer at Top Dog, they’ll spend their days running, playing, swimming, socializing, and getting plenty of fresh air. Because playtime is sacred at Top Dog. They’ll have plenty of tennis balls, kiddie pools, sun umbrellas, and floaties for relaxation and play. With summer here, it’s the perfect opportunity for your dog to enjoy the pool. Top Dog’s staff gives every dog the chance to swim, and for newbies to the water, they introduce them to the pool in a safe way, getting in the pool with them to help them “discover” that they can swim. And don’t worry, a lifeguard is always on duty.
At its core, summer camp gives dogs what they naturally need most: movement, connection, and enrichment. These experiences support a dog’s overall well-being by helping them stay physically active, mentally stimulated, and socially engaged. When those needs are met in a safe, structured environment, dogs return home calmer, more confident, and more content, not just happily worn out from a full day of play.
Top Dog summer fun includes:
- 39 acres and 6,100-square-foot clubhouse
- Wooded nature trail
- Heated swimming pool
- Air-conditioned suites
- Heated stone floors, soft lighting, and music
- “Yappy Hour” and fresh biscuits
Top Dog is ready to welcome you and your pet, whether it’s training services, summer camp, or boarding services! To schedule a tour, request more information, or sign up for services, visit topdogcountryclub.com.
The training services offered at Top Dog have received recognition worldwide. The services offered are unique to each pet owner and their situation, and include:
- Stay, Play, & Train (Daycare and Training): Combines daycare and training in one.
- Board and Train (Overnight Boarding and Training): A Top Dog Vacation while addressing behavioral needs. A tailored training plan builds strong foundational obedience, addressing behavioral concerns.
- In-Home Assessment & Training: Addressing your dog’s needs within your home. Behavior is observed to identify specific challenges and goals.
- Puppy Training & Socialization: A foundational program focusing on teaching puppies essential skills that will help them grow into a well-behaved adult dog.
- “Pack Walks” in Public Places: A fun and structured way for dogs to learn the fundamentals of obedience while also building important social skills.
- Troubleshooting/Behavior Modification Training: A customized plan to address a wide range of behavioral issues that can interfere with your dog’s quality of life and your relationship with them.
- E-Collar Training: A humane and effective way to reinforce recall and address behavioral issues—responding consistently to commands, especially in situations where distractions are present and provides a safe/controlled way to improve recall and safety.