About Central Bark Philadelphia
Portia joined the Central Bark Doggy Day Care franchise in 2006, and opened Central Bark Philadelphia in 2007. She left behind her Project Management career in the world of digital marketing to spend more time with her feet on the ground instead of in the “cloud.”
Portia chose “the dog life” due to an inherent, lifelong love of animals, and her desire to help those who choose dogs as companions and family members succeed in those relationships.
Portia’s dedication to elevating the canine-human bond and enriching our pet dogs’ lives through engagement and communication is the “Why” behind Central Bark Philadelphia.
“In a healthy relationship, everyone needs to have a life of their own, so why not our companion dogs? To me, dog day care can be a safe, healthy way to maintain a loving, caring, and respectful relationship with your dog. Central Bark Philadelphia provides the best environment for every dog that comes through our door. Being able to tailor each dogs’ day to their needs is key to delivering on our promise to our customers.”
Portia, Central Bark Philadelphia Franchise Owner
Awards & Achievements
Central Bark® Certified
Enrichment Dog Day Care
Pet Boarding & Daycare COVID-19 Training
The Dog Gurus training
Our Family Photo Album
Mogs confidence has bloomed a thousand fold since she’s started going weekly. She always gets excited when I say “day care” & always comes home exhausted, which we love!
I adopted a second dog who was with me for a few months. Unfortunately their personalities didn’t mix in the home & it became a safety issue & he was rehomed. During the time I had him, Central Bark stepped up with advice, fitting me in for extra days & doing their best to tire him out & help him get a bit more socialization. I tried so hard & one day I walked in & just cried. Gaby gave me a great pep talk, let me cry some more & helped me recenter.
That brings me to my next point, the staff. I don’t know everyones names, but everyone there is always friendly, supportive, honest & most importantly, just love the dogs they work with. They are very flexible with requests from parents (if they’re doable) & have fun seasonal events for the pups. I know I’m missing some people, so blame it on my head, not my heart. Thank you Gaby, Kristie, Jaime, Bassam, Kensley, Marcus, Julia, Sara and the whole team! You all work so hard & so well together, handling the parents & the dogs (the dogs are the easy part)! 😊
Thanks for being such an important part of Mogwais life!
Frequently Asked Questions
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
Your dog deserves to be pampered. Our full-service dog grooming salon is fully equipped to include anything from a simple brush-out or bath to a full spa day, a grooming session.
All dogs are unique. Just like humans, your dog deserves personalized grooming for their size, breed, coat type, and condition. Please ask an associate for details.
Make a reservation for your dog’s grooming session
For dogs, being comfortable in a crate is a life skill that is incredibly useful for them and their owners. If you have ever traveled with your dog or had the unfortunate experience of an overnight stay at the vet, knowing your dog is comfortable in a crate is immeasurably comforting.
Crate training can take just days or a few months, based on your dog’s age, temperament, and past experiences with crates. The two keys to successful crate training are to keep the experience positive and go slowly.
When your puppy is not in their crate, keep the door open and reward them every time they choose to enter, even if you didn’t ask them to enter it. When crating your puppy, give them a safe enrichment item (like a stuffed Kong) that will keep them busy and allow them to self-soothe while confined. Remember that crate training should take place in a series of small, slow steps that will help your puppy become more comfortable.
Central Bark® offers everything you need to help you care for your new puppy. Our Enrichment Day Care gives puppies all the socialization, exercise, mental stimulation, and rest they need for a lifetime of happiness with you and your family. We also 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.
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.
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.
