Happy.
Whole.
Welcome to Central Bark Grayslake
Welcome to Central Bark Grayslake! Our furry best friends hold a special place in our hearts. We understand the importance of giving them the best life possible. However, it can be tough to meet all their needs.
That’s where Central Bark comes in. We’re here to provide the love and care your dog deserves, helping them stay healthy, happy, and well-rounded. When you bring your dog to Central Bark Grayslake, you can relax, knowing they’ll have a fantastic day with their friends in a safe and loving environment.
Our approach, called Whole Dog Care, focuses on nurturing and enhancing your dog’s overall health and well-being throughout their life. The centerpiece of our approach is our Enrichment Dog Day Care program. But that’s not all – we also offer dog boarding, baths, grooming, a market for supplies, training, and more. Our mission is to help you and your dog live your best lives together.
We understand that dogs aren’t just LIKE family – they ARE family. As fellow dog parents, we take pride in treating every dog as if they were our own.
Central Bark
Grayslake
256 Commerce Dr,
Grayslake, IL 60030Get Directions
Open Today 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Enroll Now
Central Bark® Whole Dog Care
Central Bark Grayslake is committed to your dog’s well-being. Our Whole Dog Care approach covers all their needs. From physical health to mental happiness, we offer personalized products and services. The goal is to enhance their overall well-being and bring them lifelong joy.
Our commitment is to enhance your dog’s life with personalized and enjoyable activities.
Treat your furry friend to grooming and exciting activities crafted for their ultimate delight.
Provide your dog with a serene and content stay in a comfortable setting through our Dog Boarding service.
Explore our exceptional range of dog food, treats, toys, and more, carefully selected to promote physical health, nutrition, and overall happiness.
Foster a stronger bond with your dog through positive training and enrichment programs that assist them in acquiring vital skills and behaviors.
How to get started
- Click Request Appointment
- Register Online
- We’ll contact you to help
schedule your first visit
Why do dogs LOVE
Central Bark?
What makes Central Bark so special for dogs?
- It’s all about them – Every dog is unique. We create a day that’s tailored to your dog’s individual needs and preferences.
- Health and happiness combined – Your dog will receive personalized attention, engaging activities, and rest to ensure they are healthy, happy, and well-behaved at home and in the community.
- We understand dogs – Our team consists of dog experts who have been specially trained in our positive reinforcement approach based on scientific principles.
- Safety and cleanliness are top priorities – The safety and well-being of all our guests are our number one concern. We have comprehensive safety policies and thorough cleaning procedures to ensure your dog’s safety and health every single day they spend with us.
- Trusted and loving care – For more than 20 years, families have entrusted Central Bark with enriching their dogs’ lives. We provide the perfect balance of personalized attention, playtime, exercise, socialization, training, rest, and love.
- A lifelong bond – It’s amazing how a day spent apart can actually bring you closer! Your dog will return home happy and healthy, and you won’t have to worry about leaving them alone for another day.







Dog Day Care. Reimagined.
Central Bark Enrichment Dog Day Care is an amazing upgrade for dog day care! We use our top-notch knowledge and the latest science on dog behavior and positive training. Your dog will have a blast with a personalized day that includes just the right amount of play, exercise, socializing, training, rest, and love. It’s all designed to keep them healthy, happy, and well-rounded.

Flexible Playgroups
Small and large playgroup options allow us to match better your dog’s personality, needs, and preferences with the social atmosphere and amount of play they can enjoy and benefit from most.

Group Play Skills
Group Play Skills are a fun and rewarding way for dogs to practice important skills like name recall, and behaviors like group sit and calmly going in and out of doors and gates.

Rest Period Enrichment
Rest Period Enrichment sessions help dogs achieve a healthy balance. They can relax and recharge in their own private space with calming enrichment toys and healthy foods tailored to their preferences and diet.

Enrichment Sessions
Personalized One-on-One Enrichment sessions give the extra attention dogs love and the freedom to use their senses and safely explore their instincts through interactive toys, puzzles, and games.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our top priority is the safety of every dog in our care. Our staff members are not only highly trained but also “fluent in dog speak,” which means they can read canine body language and behavior cues. Our rigorous dog day care safety protocols use a science-based positive reinforcement approach to constantly monitor and manage play. We believe in proactive and preventative care, working to de-escalate potential issues before they start, which is a key part of how dog day care handles disagreements and maintains a secure environment for all dogs.
An essential characteristic of a dog groomer is someone who makes you and your dog feel safe and comfortable.
Other things to look for:
- Certifications – Groomers don’t need a license or certification to work. Still, these accreditations are often signs that the groomer has the necessary training and experience to care for your pup.
- Experience with different breeds – Look for a groomer with experience with a variety of breeds and coats and the standard haircut for your dog’s breed.
- Preparedness – A groomer should work with dogs of all ages and levels of experience with grooming. They should aim to help each dog feel as comfortable as possible with the grooming process. Suppose the dog or puppy becomes anxious or uncomfortable. In that case, the groomer should be able to suggest a plan for increasing their comfort over time with the use of a positive reward-based approach.
Make a reservation for your dog’s grooming session
No. At Central Bark®, we never sedate dogs in our salon. Our expert groomers always aim to help your dog feel as calm and relaxed as possible during their bathing and grooming experience.
Suppose your dog has shown extreme stress or anxiety toward grooming in the past. In that case, we suggest speaking with a trusted veterinarian and one of our reward-based trainers about how we can best support your dog.
Make a reservation for your dog’s grooming session
When 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.
Potty training a puppy to eliminate outside can take just a few weeks or several months. But it will go more quickly if your training routine is consistent, and you’re consistent about taking your puppy outside every few hours.
Central Bark® offers everything you need to help you train your puppy. We offer expert training and classes so you and your puppy can learn and bond together.
Learn more about our training classes.
Visit our Dog Blog for more helpful tips.