Start Your Pup
on the Right Paw
Puppy Hour is a FREE supervised puppy playtime and social hour at Central Bark® Philadelphia. Puppy Hour is a ton of fun and it also provides a critical opportunity for puppies to get socialization during their “sensitive period” which is between 12 and 24 weeks of age. Socialization is a process of preparing your dog to enjoy interactions and be comfortable with other animals, people, places, and activities.
We invite you and your puppy to attend as many sessions as you would like until your pup reaches the age limit. Meet our staff, speak with our trainer and groomer, and check out our facility. At Central Bark, our mission is to nurture and enrich your dog’s life, and a great way to start your pup on the right paw is through puppy socialization!
Central Bark
Philadelphia
2501 Wharton St suite f,
Philadelphia, PA 19146Get Directions
Closed 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM &
5:00 PM– 6:00 PM
(Drop off/Pick up sleepover dogs only)
During this puppy program, your pup will:
- Enjoy off-leash age-appropriate play with vaccinated puppies of similar ages
- Be supervised by an experienced caregiver to ensure all play is safe and appropriate
- Be introduced to new dogs, humans, toys, environments, and obstacles
- Be exposed to new and interesting obstacles to encourage age-appropriate socialization and exposure
Benefits:
- Help your dog build comfort and confidence in unfamiliar settings
- Positively affect your dog’s lifelong emotional development
- Expend your puppy’s excess energy
- Begin to learn important group play and social skills
- Establish a strong foundation for a healthy, happy, and socially appropriate dog
Rules & Requirements:
- Puppies aged 12–24 weeks
- Preregistration is required
- Proof of up-to-date Bordetella and DHPP vaccines
- Parents and children are welcome to participate
- Regular 6-foot flat leash (no retractable or flexi-leads in the lobby) and a quick-release collar. If your dog usually wears a harness, you’re welcome to bring that as well.

Call (267) 861-2275 or submit the form to reserve your spot!

You will also receive a FREE Central Bark Puppy Parent Handbook, containing helpful tips for raising your healthy, happy, well-rounded puppy.
Register for the Event
Puppy Hour
Last Saturday of Every Month, 12:30 – 1:30pm
Photo Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Dog training teaches a dog to perform certain behaviors, often in a variety of contexts. At Central Bark®, our training classes are based on the latest research and scientific understanding of dog behavior to enhance the bond between you and your dog.
We use positive reward-based techniques to help puppies and dogs of all ages 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.
Learn more about our training classes.
Visit our Dog Blog for more helpful tips.
Not at all! It’s never too early or too late to begin building positive associations and using reward-based methods to teach your puppy new skills and behaviors.
Establish a training schedule now to help your puppy learn desired behaviors like walking nicely on a leash and basic cues like sit, stay, and loose-leash walking. Practicing these skills at home is critical, but it’s always a good idea to enlist the help of a professional to get a jump start teaching your puppy all the things you want them to know and set them up for success! Central Bark® offers everything you need to help you train your dog, including 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.
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.