Enrichment Dog Day Care
Your Local Central Bark
Central Bark®
Madison Southeast
2530 Advance Rd,
Madison, WI 53718Get Directions
Open Today 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM
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There’s no bond like the one we share with our furry best friends. We love our dogs and want to give them the best life. But it can be challenging to fulfill all their needs.
That’s why families trust Central Bark®, where dogs get the love and care to help them be healthy, happy, and well-rounded. When you bring your dog to Central Bark Madison Southeast, you’ll have peace of mind knowing they’re having a great day with their friends in a safe and loving environment.
Our Whole Dog Care approach aims to nurture and enrich your dog’s whole health and well-being – throughout their entire life. The heart of this approach is our Enrichment Dog Day Care program. We also offer dog boarding, baths, grooming, market, training, and more. All with the mission to help you and your dog share the best life.
We know that dogs aren’t just LIKE family – they ARE family. As dog parents ourselves, we take great pride in treating each and every dog like they’re our own.
Grooming
Boarding
Training
FREE Puppy Hour
There’s no bond like the one we share with our furry best friends. We love our dogs and want to give them the best life. But it can be challenging to fulfill all their needs.
That’s why families trust Central Bark®, where dogs get the love and care to help them be healthy, happy, and well-rounded. When you bring your dog to Central Bark Madison Southeast, you’ll have peace of mind knowing they’re having a great day with their friends in a safe and loving environment.
Our Whole Dog Care approach aims to nurture and enrich your dog’s whole health and well-being – throughout their entire life. The heart of this approach is our Enrichment Dog Day Care program. We also offer dog boarding, baths, grooming, market, training, and more. All with the mission to help you and your dog share the best life.
We know that dogs aren’t just LIKE family – they ARE family. As dog parents ourselves, we take great pride in treating each and every dog like they’re our own.
Local News
Our Dog of the Month for February: Dempsey, a seven-year-old Golden Retriever, is the definition of a big, loveable goofball…
Read more >
January Dogs of the Month, June & Cash!
Our Dogs of the Month for January June (full name June Carter) and Cash (full name Johnny Cash) are two…
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December Dog of the Month is Mudge!
Mudge, our sweet and steady terrier mix, has been part of the Central Bark Madison Southeast crew since 2022, and…
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November Dog of the Month is Jager!
Jager, a handsome and spirited German Shorthaired Pointer, has been a beloved member of our Central Bark Madison Southeast family…
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October Dog of the Month: Fiona
Congratulations to our October Dog of the Month, Fiona! Fiona, a bold and beautiful American Pill Bull Terrier, has been…
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Alyssa joined Central Bark Madison in 2023 as a dog handler and quickly advanced to management. With a lifelong love…
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Central Bark staff is the best, they are great with all the dogs, they make all the dogs feel special
I’d like to start out with saying, I found Central Bark by accident, and it’s one of the best things that’s happened for me and my pup!
Central Bark is easily the best daycare/boarding facility in Madison. They have been attentive and very hands on through my dog’s entire life!! He has been going for 4+ years on a variety of schedules and I have never had a single instance where I couldn’t book a day of daycare or boarding.
Flick is particular, to say the least. To start, he’s very suspicious of strangers and every single employee over the years has taken the time to get familiar with him instead of forcing him along on a leash.
He’s also a reactive dog and has a hard time on lead around strangers and other dogs. This can get difficult dropping off and picking up. However, the team knows him and knows he needs space, so every time multiple people come in behind me, they confirm with me that they’re going to help other pet parents and bring Flick out when it’s cleared out. It sounds simple, but that consideration is such a huge stress relief for me and for him.
When Flick first started daycare, he was rubbing his nose raw on the top of his crate during downtime. Once I noticed it, I called the same day. Ever since then, they’ve put Flick in one of the boarding areas so he doesn’t do it again. A quick fix was much appreciated.
Speaking of boarding, every boarding experience we’ve had at Central Bark has been wonderful. I’m always able to get in, even on short notice. Most times, we’ll even get a Report Card!
Flick has a chicken allergy, lactose intolerance, and IBS. This lead to a lot of diet trialing, medications, and supplements. Central Bark offers an enrichment toy for your pup during downtime, but they have yogurt in them, so Flick could not partake. I make our own frozen Kong’s at home and bring one in each week. Flick has it and CB is nice enough to even clean the Kong. Flick is on a medication where he can’t eat anything, even treats, after 4pm. I called CB and they had no issue accommodating. When we board, I send pre-measured food baggies with his supplements, his medications, and sticky note with his schedule. They’re able to get him taken care of without a problem! He also has separate treats for group because at the time they were using cheese based treats (not sure if that is still the case), so I bring a Tupperware full of ours and they let me know when they need a refill.
The staff are absolutely amazing. I have yet to come across someone who isn’t thrilled each Wednesday when we walk in the door. I don’t know a lot of staff names (unfortunately) but they all deserve recognition! He drags me to the door each Wednesday morning and gets the wiggles no matter who he sees!
Flick is signed up on a monthly package to get his nails done. It’s definitely worth it to me, and much easier than trying to do them ourselves.
However, I have to speak specifically of Alyssa. She LOVES Flick truly beyond measure. She spends so much time with him, shows me extra pics, and always makes sure he’s having a good day. I want to preface with saying Flick is not a cuddler. I picked him up from boarding one day and Alyssa told me she went into his boarding suite and he crawled into her lap!!!!! He has never done that with me or my partner, and I am truly jealous. He loves her just as much as she loves him.
Lastly, I want to talk about the play groups. Flick has gone through at least 2 groups over the last few years. When he was younger, he was always playing so hard that he would come home tired for 2+ days after. Over the last year or so, that has evolved. He’s an Australian Cattle Dog and has definitely grown into the “herding/supervising” role that the breed is known for. He might even look a little grouchy. I believe he now spends his days with the puppies or the older crowd, keeping his eye on them. He’s more into panhandling for his treats and getting some pets than he is into playing these days. He’ll hang out with the other dogs a bit for a photo op, but you’ll probably catch him on a bed in the sun!!
Central Bark is easily the best daycare/boarding facility in Madison. They have been attentive and very hands on through my dog’s entire life!! He has been going for 4+ years on a variety of schedules and I have never had a single instance where I couldn’t book a day of daycare or boarding.
Flick is particular, to say the least. To start, he’s very suspicious of strangers and every single employee over the years has taken the time to get familiar with him instead of forcing him along on a leash.
He’s also a reactive dog and has a hard time on lead around strangers and other dogs. This can get difficult dropping off and picking up. However, the team knows him and knows he needs space, so every time multiple people come in behind me, they confirm with me that they’re going to help other pet parents and bring Flick out when it’s cleared out. It sounds simple, but that consideration is such a huge stress relief for me and for him.
When Flick first started daycare, he was rubbing his nose raw on the top of his crate during downtime. Once I noticed it, I called the same day. Ever since then, they’ve put Flick in one of the boarding areas so he doesn’t do it again. A quick fix was much appreciated.
Speaking of boarding, every boarding experience we’ve had at Central Bark has been wonderful. I’m always able to get in, even on short notice. Most times, we’ll even get a Report Card!
Flick has a chicken allergy, lactose intolerance, and IBS. This lead to a lot of diet trialing, medications, and supplements. Central Bark offers an enrichment toy for your pup during downtime, but they have yogurt in them, so Flick could not partake. I make our own frozen Kong’s at home and bring one in each week. Flick has it and CB is nice enough to even clean the Kong. Flick is on a medication where he can’t eat anything, even treats, after 4pm. I called CB and they had no issue accommodating. When we board, I send pre-measured food baggies with his supplements, his medications, and sticky note with his schedule. They’re able to get him taken care of without a problem! He also has separate treats for group because at the time they were using cheese based treats (not sure if that is still the case), so I bring a Tupperware full of ours and they let me know when they need a refill.
The staff are absolutely amazing. I have yet to come across someone who isn’t thrilled each Wednesday when we walk in the door. I don’t know a lot of staff names (unfortunately) but they all deserve recognition! He drags me to the door each Wednesday morning and gets the wiggles no matter who he sees!
Flick is signed up on a monthly package to get his nails done. It’s definitely worth it to me, and much easier than trying to do them ourselves.
However, I have to speak specifically of Alyssa. She LOVES Flick truly beyond measure. She spends so much time with him, shows me extra pics, and always makes sure he’s having a good day. I want to preface with saying Flick is not a cuddler. I picked him up from boarding one day and Alyssa told me she went into his boarding suite and he crawled into her lap!!!!! He has never done that with me or my partner, and I am truly jealous. He loves her just as much as she loves him.
Lastly, I want to talk about the play groups. Flick has gone through at least 2 groups over the last few years. When he was younger, he was always playing so hard that he would come home tired for 2+ days after. Over the last year or so, that has evolved. He’s an Australian Cattle Dog and has definitely grown into the “herding/supervising” role that the breed is known for. He might even look a little grouchy. I believe he now spends his days with the puppies or the older crowd, keeping his eye on them. He’s more into panhandling for his treats and getting some pets than he is into playing these days. He’ll hang out with the other dogs a bit for a photo op, but you’ll probably catch him on a bed in the sun!!
My boy LeeRoy has been going to Central Bark Madison for 4 years now. He loves it so much I can’t roll the window down more than 1/3 of the way because when we turn into the parking lot he dives out of the car to get there faster. We use it for doggy days with friends and for overnight stays when we travel. He is always happy, well cared for and pampered there. They do a great job at understanding your pup’s individual personality and making sure that he/she is in the best environment for their needs and quirks (for instance – my large dog’s need to be around smaller ones…lol). 100% recommend.
My dog Beau has been going to Central Bark Madison for four years now: two days of daycare a week, plenty of sleepovers, nail trims, and even the occasional bath. They are THE BEST! The staff are incredible: they know their stuff, they truly love the animals, and most importantly, they know each dog and what they need to thrive. Beau is a wonderful boy with a big personality, but he does need some management to be his best self, and the team has always taken amazing care of him while balancing the needs of the group. I love that they keep their playgroups small and consistent, which makes for such a positive experience. Over the summer I had to leave Beau for 15 days while I traveled internationally, and even though I was nervous, the staff answered all my questions and helped me feel comfortable. Beau came home happy, healthy, and clearly well cared for. From daycare to boarding to grooming, every single service has been excellent. Alyssa, Allison, and the rest of the crew are professional, kind, and always a joy to see at drop-off. If you’re looking for a place where your dog will be safe, happy, and truly known, I can’t recommend Central Bark Madison enough ❤️
I would rate Central Bark >5 stars if I could! We had such a hard time getting our anxious doggy even through the door at other daycares, but the vibes at CB must be awesome. There is nothing she gets more excited about than daycare at CB – not walks, not treats, not dinner. What we appreciate most is the crate training that CB does. Now, at home, our doggy loves her crate. It’s her resting spot, and she goes in without any hesitation. That’s a huge improvement from the ~6 months of crate training we did on our own. The switching off of play time and rest time is also great for our doggy, and is much more in tune with what dogs need vs the 100% play 100% of the time that other daycares do. Plus, we can easily schedule grooming or a nail trim same week while she’s already there. They’ve got it all! I recommend CB to all our doggy friends. 11/10!!
Our dog Odin loves going to Central Bark Madison. All the staff are very caring and really seem to love the dogs who are in their care. I see them give extra love and pets as the dogs arrive and/or get picked up. And the staff often give the dogs nicknames out of their fondness of the dogs. He was even included in dressing up for pictures the week of Halloween. 👻
Odin hates having his nails done at home but Central Bark groomers have no issue, it’s such a relief and very convenient to have this service available to us.
Odin hates having his nails done at home but Central Bark groomers have no issue, it’s such a relief and very convenient to have this service available to us.
Frequently Asked Questions
What products do you sell?
Shop the Central Bark® Market for the best choices in healthy and nutritious food, treats, toys, training aids, and dog lifestyle products and apparel. Every item is specially selected to enhance your dog’s physical health and nutrition and provide enrichment, happiness, and comfort.
Call your local store to learn more about the products we carry.
What do dogs do at doggy day care?
Central Bark® Enrichment Doggy Day Care combines our industry-leading doggy day care expertise with the latest science-based activities and techniques. We personalize your dog’s day with fun, healthy, and well-balanced activities that appeal to their instincts and enrich their bodies, minds, and senses.
Each day at Central Bark includes exclusive options like:
- Flexible play groups allow us to match your dog each day with the social atmosphere and play schedule they can enjoy and benefit from most. This helps give them a healthy balance of play, rest, and learning and creates a safer social environment with a better quality of play. And our lower dog-to-staff ratios offer more individual attention, education, and love.
- Group play skills help dogs practice important behaviors and life skills like name recall, group sit, and calmly going in and out of doors and gates. These activities are fun and rewarding for your dog and help improve behavior and impulse control, prevent overstimulation, and creates a safer social environment.
- Rest Period Enrichments help dogs relax and recharge in their own private space with calming interactive toys and healthy food pairings tailored to their preferences and diet. It promotes physical and mental relaxation and can help them become more comfortable in crates by building positive associations.
- One-on-One Enrichment add-on sessions give your dog the personal attention they love, supplemented with interactive toys, puzzles, and games. Sessions are fun and rewarding, exercise their body and mind, and engage their senses. Add complexity with fitness and agility equipment.
- Training sessions during day care visits help your dog develop essential skills and behaviors like name recall, sit, stay, down, wait, leave-it, door and gate control, and loose-leash walking. Excellent for your dog and easy for you! Your dog will come home tired and well-socialized, with the training and skills they need to be a well-behaved member of your family.
What is positive reward-based dog training?
Positive reward-based techniques help puppies and dogs develop essential life skills and behaviors that will enrich their lives at home and day care. These methods set dogs up to succeed and reward them for performing desired behaviors. Rewards are tailored to the dog’s preferences and can include food treats, time to play with a favorite toy, or verbal praise.
After decades of experience using reward-based training, we know it’s the most humane and effective way of training dogs and addressing unwanted behaviors. It’s the best way to build a loving, trusting bond that enhances your relationship between you and your dog for a lifetime of happiness together.
At Central Bark®, our focus on positive reinforcement has never wavered. We continuously update our skills and policies to stay at the forefront of new advances in behavioral science and positive reinforcement techniques.
Learn more about our training classes.
Visit our Dog Blog for more helpful tips
How much do dog parties cost?
The cost of your party depends on what you need to celebrate your occasion. You can rent space in our facility to celebrate, then bring in your treats and decorations. Or you can have us plan and run your entire event, complete with a special treat, party favors, hats, decorations, and more.
Call today to learn more