Central Bark Cares

At Central Bark®, it’s our mission to nurture, enrich, and inspire lives. Bringing whole health, happiness, and unconditional love to each dog, family, and community, we serve to create a happier, healthier, more loving, and peaceful world.

That’s why we’re dedicated to supporting community. For over 20 years, the Central Bark franchise system has supported local dog rescue, fostering, and adoption organizations and charities in cities throughout the country. We also provide community education through our Central Bark Bite Prevention School Program and responsible pet care and positive canine development. Central Bark franchise locations are independently owned and operated. As small business owners ourselves, we’re committed to supporting independently owned small local businesses that bring us together and help our community thrive.

“It is in our DNA to give back to the community. Passion, compassion, respect, and integrity are our core values and guiding principles. Being active in our community is part of that.”

Jackie Jordan & Chris Gaba, Co-founders of Barkley Ventures Franchising, LLC. and the Central Bark franchise system

Yellow paw Kristy M
Super friendly and professional. Highly recommended. Our pup had a fabulous first day!
Yellow paw Lynn. A
Ellie's recent stayover was the longest thus far, and I felt such a peace knowing that Ellie was in the best of hands!! I was comfortable mostly because I know how much she enjoys her daycare days. She loves it!! I'm so happy that Central Bark West Columbia is in [...]
Yellow paw Katie M.
Our sweet Leo absolutely loves his daycare days. The staff is always friendly and have been helpful with any questions I’ve had. We are so happy we found a place that’s safe for our pup when we can’t be with him.
Yellow paw Megan J.
Rosie had her first ever Spa Day! She smelled so good and she felt so soft after her bath! I can’t wait for her to go again. Elizabeth did a wonderful job!
Yellow paw Rachel I.
Central Bark is by far the best place to take your fur baby. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and love all the pets as their own. Thank you Central Bark!!!!
Yellow paw Alicia L
This is the only place we will leave our furbaby when traveling. It is very clean and our furbaby gets so excited when we pull up!
Sheila T.
The staff is amazing, and Otto has a good time...he's always smiling in the pictures!
Lynn R.
Central Bark staff work with your dog's personality to acclimate them to the environment. Our Maggie is very timid, and they worked with her so that now she plays with the other dogs. She is worn out for the evening and the next day. Thank you, Central Bark!
Jennifer F.
This is an amazing place to send your furry friends! Our pup Mahogany (Huggy) gets so excited every time we pull in to the parking lot. He always comes home happy & pooped out! The staff is friendly and just as excited to see Huggy as he is to see [...]

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Central Bark proactively address safety?

At Central Bark a proactive approach to safety is woven right into the fabric of our program. That is why we require that all dogs enrolled in our Day Care program pass our behavior assessment and attend at least once per week. This helps us ensure that dogs are social with other dogs & people and remain comfortable with all aspects of our program.  It also allows us to proactively staff so we can keep a dog to staff ratios low which also helps increase safety. Plus, play is ALWAYS monitored. Whether it’s a group of 2 dogs or 12 dogs, we never leave dogs unattended during group play.

How long does dog training take?

The timeline for learning new behaviors and skills is as unique as every dog! Because each dog is an individual, with different learning histories, breed genetics, and preferences in reinforcers like treats and toys, there is no way to say for sure how long training will take. It’s also important to consider how much time each family has for daily training practice.

Whether you’re crate training, leash walking, or potty training your pup, consistency is key. It’s crucial to establish a routine, practice positive reinforcement, supervise your puppy (especially when potty training), and avoid punishing your puppy when mistakes happen. 

Central Bark® offers everything you need to help you train your dog, with expert training and classes so you and your pup can learn and bond together. 

Learn more about our training classes.

Visit our Dog Blog for more helpful tips
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How much does it cost to get a dog groomed?

All dogs are different, and like humans, your dog deserves grooming customized to their size, breed, and level of attention. For this reason, prices may vary by service and location.

Learn more about our Dog Salon & Spa.

Is boarding stressful for dogs?

Sleeping in a new or unfamiliar environment can be stressful for some dogs. That’s why we offer sleepovers to dogs already enrolled in our Enrichment Day Care. 

Sleepovers at Central Bark® offer your dog a calm, relaxing sleepover in a place they can feel comfortable and loved. Because they’re in a familiar place, they can feel less stressed about being away from home (and so will you). A full day of Doggy Day Care is complimentary with your sleepover, so your dog can play with their friends after a good night’s rest.

Learn more about Sleepovers at Central Bark.

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Central Bark Whole Dog Care

Our Whole Dog Care approach offers a full range of fun and personalized products and services to promote your dog’s physical, mental, and emotional health and happiness throughout their entire life.