Healthy.
Happy.
Whole.

Welcome to Central Bark Gurnee

The unique bond we share with our furry friends is irreplaceable. We cherish our dogs and aspire to provide them with the best life. Yet, fulfilling all their needs can be challenging. That’s where Central Bark comes in. Families trust us to provide the love and care that ensures their dogs are healthy, happy, and well-rounded. When you choose Central Bark Gurnee for your dog, you can relax knowing they are enjoying a fantastic day with their friends in a secure and affectionate environment.

Our Whole Dog Care approach is dedicated to enhancing your dog’s overall health and well-being throughout their lifetime. At its core is our Enrichment Dog Day Care program. Additionally, we offer services such as dog boarding, grooming, training, and more, all with the mission of enhancing your and your dog’s quality of life. As fellow dog parents, we take immense pride in treating each dog as if they were our own.

Central Bark
Gurnee

3880 Grove Ave,
Gurnee, IL 60031Get Directions

(847) 672-6188

Open Today 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM

Enroll Now
Nancy M.
Best place ever.. Fireball loves going there..everyone is amazing there!! We highly recommend Central Bark Gurnee!!

Central Bark® Whole Dog Care

Our comprehensive Whole Dog Care approach encompasses a wide array of personalized products and services designed to enhance your dog’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being throughout their entire life.

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At our core, our mission revolves around enriching your dog’s life with tailored daily activities.

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Treat your cherished pet to grooming sessions and delightful experiences, thoughtfully designed to ignite their happiness.

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Offer your dog a tranquil and snug haven through our Dog Boarding service, ensuring a restful stay.

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Discover our range of dog essentials, encompassing food, treats, toys, and more, all dedicated to your dog’s well-being.

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Strengthen your connection with your dog through constructive training and engaging activities that impart essential skills.

How to get started

  1. Click Request Appointment
  2. Register Online
  3. We’ll contact you to help
    schedule your first visit

Why do dogs LOVE
Central Bark?

  • It’s all about them – Every dog is unique, and we tailor each day to suit their individual needs and preferences.
  • Whole well-being and happiness – They receive personalized attention, physical activity, and the rest they require to ensure their health, happiness, and good behavior at home and in the community.
  • We understand dogs – Our staff are experts in all things dog, trained in our science-based positive reinforcement approach.
  • Safety and cleanliness – Your dog’s safety and well-being are our top priorities. Our rigorous safety measures and cleaning protocols ensure your dog’s health and security every day they spend with us.
  • Trusted, loving care – For over 20 years, families have relied on Central Bark to enrich their dogs’ lives with a perfect blend of personalized attention, play, exercise, socialization, training, relaxation, and affection.
  • A lifelong bond – It’s incredible how a day apart can strengthen your bond! Your dog will return home happy and healthy, and you won’t need to worry about them being alone at home.

Dog Day Care. Reimagined.

Central Bark’s Enrichment Dog Day Care elevates the standard of dog day care. It merges our top-tier experience with the most recent insights in dog behavior science and positive dog training methods. Your dog can relish a day that’s customized for their enjoyment and well-being, providing the right balance of play, mental and physical stimulation, social interaction, training, relaxation, and affection to keep them healthy, content, and all-around balanced.

a dog playgroup during a sunny day at Central Bark Gurnee doggy day care center

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.

Central Bark Gurnee trainer pointing her finger at four large dogs that are sitting down

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.

a white-brown dog eating out of a treat toy at Central Bark Gurnee doggy day care center

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.

Central Bark Gurnee trainer with a corgi beside her

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

Are the dogs supervised at all times?

ABSOLUTELY

How does Central Bark mentally stimulate a dog?

At Central Bark®, our goal is to provide a balanced day of play, learning, rest, and love. Learning and mental exercise can happen in various ways, including training activities, brain games, scent work, and more. Our playgroups offer several hours of active playtime paired with learning opportunities during Group Play Skills. This way, dogs have plenty of time to socialize and get their energy out, while also exercising their minds through learning.

During one of your dog’s rest periods throughout the day, they are offered a rest period enrichment activity to stimulate their mind while encouraging healthy rest. These licking and chewing activities involve food rewards, such as frozen peanut butter KONG®. These activities engage their minds while helping foster quality rest. 

Did you know? Scientific studies have shown that licking and chewing behaviors (especially those that involve food rewards!) are self-soothing, decrease heart and respiratory rates, and even release dopamine in a dog’s brain.

Training Tutor sessions stimulate the dog’s minds and bodies and help them learn important skills, behaviors, and tricks.

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.

Did you know? 15 minutes of mental activity is equal to 30 minutes of physical exercise!

Learn more about Enrichment Doggy Day Care.

Is it ok to board your dog?

Yes! When your dog spends the night with us, we do everything we can to ensure your dog has a safe place where they can feel well-rested. 

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 included with your sleepover stay.

Learn more about Sleepovers at Central Bark.

How do dogs wind down from the flurry of activity and avoid potential conflicts?

Dogs nap quietly in their individual crates in the Nap Room, complete with classical music and aromatherapy.

Read all FAQs