Join us to Help Find a Cure for Cancer
Central Bark is proud to support the Animal Cancer Foundation (acfoundation.org) to spread public awareness and raise funding for life-saving cancer research for both pets and people!
Start Your Pup
on the Right Paw
Puppy Hour is a FREE supervised puppy playtime and social hour at Central Bark®. Puppy Hour is a ton of fun, and it also provides a critical opportunity for puppies to get socialization during their “sensitive period.” That is generally between 8 and 16 weeks of age. Socialization is a process of preparing your dog to enjoy interactions 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. A great way to start your pup on the right paw is through puppy socialization!
During this puppy hour 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
- Meet new dogs, humans, toys, environments, and obstacles
- Be exposed to new and interesting obstacles to encourage age-appropriate socialization and exposure
Benefits of Puppy Hour & Training:
- Long-Term Emotional Development: Puppy Hour provides your puppy with interactions with other dogs and people. This will help them develop confidence and social skills that can positively impact their emotional development throughout their lives.
- Learn Important Group Play and Social Skills: During Puppy Hour, our staff will help guide your puppy through important group play and socialization skills. These including proper play behavior, impulse control, bite inhibition, and more. These skills are essential for your dog to develop healthy and appropriate social behavior.
- Comfort and Confidence: During the sensitive period of 8 to 16 weeks, puppies are more likely to feel scared or uncomfortable in unfamiliar situations. By attending Puppy Hour, your pup can get exposure to new sights, smells, sounds, and experiences in a controlled environment, which can help them become more comfortable and confident in unfamiliar settings.
- Expend Excess Energy: Puppies have a lot of energy to burn, and attending Puppy Hour can give them an outlet for that energy. Through supervised playtime and interactions with other puppies, your dog can get the physical exercise they need to stay healthy and happy.
- Establish a Strong Foundation: Puppy Hour is an excellent way to establish a strong foundation for your puppy’s future training and development. Our program can help your pup develop essential skills and behaviors that will make them easier to train and manage as they grow older.
Rules & Requirements:
- Puppies aged 8–16 weeks
- Space is limited
- Preregistration is a must
- Proof of up-to-date Bordetella and DHPP vaccines
- Children with a dedicated adult are welcome to participate* There will be learning opportunities for children too!
- Observe CDC guidelines, including social distancing and wearing masks
- 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 one.
Find Your Nearest Central Bark Location To Reserve Your Spot
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do groomers sedate dogs?
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
What is the best dog food?
The best dog food will vary depending on each dog’s dietary requirements, medical needs, breed, and personal preferences.
Every item in our Central Bark® Market is specially selected to enhance your dog’s physical health and nutrition and provide enrichment, happiness, and comfort. We can help you choose from our selection of healthy and nutritious food that will give your pup the energy they need for a whole and happy life.
Call your local store or visit our Market today!
Can a puppy be boarded?
Yes. We offer sleepovers to puppies and dogs enrolled in our Enrichment Day Care. Sleepovers at Central Bark® provide 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 complimentary with your sleepover stay.
How do I enroll in Central Bark Doggy Day Care?
It’s easy! Just find your local store and click Enroll Now to create your online account and complete our online registration form or call the location to speak with an associate.
To speed up the registration process, please have available: veterinarian contact information, an emergency contact (other than yourself or your partner), pet information & medical history, and credit card information (optional). We will ask you a series of questions about your dog’s training and social history. These questions help us get to know them and provide the best care possible.
*The safety of guests and puppies in attendance at Puppy Hour is of the upmost importance. Upon arrival, a Central Bark team member will instruct you and your children of the rules and requirements to ensure safety, fun and learning for all involved.