Celebrating their tenth year in business, siblings Corey and Meghan opened Doodle Dogs in 2016 as a small, specialty boutique blending healthy pet foods with Etsy-inspired handmade gear from local Calgary-based artisans. Today, it has grown into two beautiful brick-and-mortar locations, a thriving online store, and Calgary’s largest door-to-door pet delivery service.
Doodle Dogs is one of the few pet stores in Canada whose commitment to healthier options and real-food ingredients has pushed their sales of raw and raw-alternative products past that of traditional dry kibble. Core to their mission, their focus on customer experience, community commitment, and dedication to carrying high-quality products has fueled their growth. To maintain this level of excellence, Corey and Meghan make a point of working with manufacturers who share their mission.
Smack has been a key offering for nearly six years in Doodle Dogs. As Corey puts it, “the raw-alternative category constantly brings our customers to a bag of Smack,” noting its versatility and convenience, even for frozen-raw feeders while on the go - hiking, boarding stays, camping, and the like. Meghan says, “Smack is the true pet partner, and our staff are comfortable talking and bragging about Smack.”
Over the past ten years, Doodle Dogs has built a reputation for trust and personal connection. As Meghan puts it, “Corey and I do have a bit of a secret sauce—we’re always available to our clients, 24/7.” That commitment includes responding to emails and personally answering 100% of their DMs. If you miss them in the store, they are the ones reposting the cute Instagram picture of your pup that you tagged them in.
This trust is strengthened by their community involvement with the city, independent rescues, the Humane Society, and their staff, as Meghan highlights the importance of taking care of both people and pets. Meghan says, “Our customers know 100% of their money is spent and put back into their community and our staff.”
Over the past five years, Doodle Dogs has complemented its boutiques with a thriving online shop and door-to-door delivery service. With access to a popular rewards program and next-business-day delivery, families can choose how they shop and be rewarded both ways. Meghan and Corey are often seen packing and delivering orders themselves and appearing in behind-the-scenes Instagram moments with other drivers and even family, helping build trust and highlighting their community. Their clients’ dogs often recognize the delivery team, watching through the window and waiting at the door to inspect arrivals with tails wagging, and maybe a little drool too.
Moments and relationships like these make the long hours and challenges of running a business worthwhile. Corey recalls some of their favourite memories, like seeing 25-year-old couples, soon-to-be pet parents, come in to start their journey. “Together, we spend the next hour in the store picking out pee pads, a cute collar, and making a name tag. Then, two months later, the dog shows up, and it's the most exciting day of both ours and their lives,” Corey explains. “Eventually they’re 29 with two babies, and when they have the time, we’re lucky to see them for their dog’s birthday or gotcha day.” Even when their life gets busier, and visits are fewer, Corey and Meghan still smile when those familiar names appear in their online orders every few weeks.
It’s experiences like these that fuel Meghan and Corey’s passion for Doodle Dogs. Helping clients is always the highlight and goal of every interaction, as Corey continues, “When it all comes to fruition like that, you can’t do that online. It needs to happen in a store: everything from nesting to having a puppy to coming in every other Saturday—and then for the rest of their lives. We just hope that we’re creating endless, unforgettable memories.”
To learn more, visit www.doodledogsboutique.com
