Healthy.
Happy.
Whole.

Welcome to Central Bark Rochester

Our connection with our beloved furry companions is unparalleled. Our deep love for our dogs drives us to provide them with the best life, but it can be challenging. This is where Central Bark Rochester steps in.

Families place their trust in us because we provide dogs with the care they need to lead well-rounded lives. When you bring your dog to Central Bark Rochester, you can relax, knowing they are enjoying a wonderful day.

Our Whole Dog Care approach is centered around nurturing and enhancing your dog’s overall health and well-being. At the core of this philosophy is our Enrichment Dog Day Care program. In addition, we offer a range of services, including dog boarding, baths, grooming, a marketplace, training, and more. The mission is to help you and your dog experience the best life possible.

As devoted dog parents ourselves, we take immense pride in treating every dog as if they’re our own. To us, they are family.

Central Bark
Rochester

1720 2nd St SW,
Rochester, MN 55902Get Directions

(507) 322-6655

Open Today 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Enroll Now
Forrest L
Grooming A+++ I brought my older, thick-haired matted mini Aussie in recently.After multiple failed attempts to try and clean him up with those $30-60 clippers - and other local groomers that just completely botched him.. -I decided that he’s best left with the pros and CB seemed to be great. [...]
Madi M
Our pup has been going to Central Bark for daycare & grooming for over a year now, and we are so happy June can call this her home away from home. The Central Bark team is so sweet & accommodating. June always is so excited as we pull into the [...]
Billy M
Staff always has a smile and they genuinely enjoy being with our dog. We primarily use their grooming services and haven’t had an issue.
Kalan S
Central Bark is the epitome of Top Notch. From ownership to employees, their biggest focus and concern is the health and happiness of your dog. The Enrichment Day Care program helps your dog grow and improve everyday. Lola is a big fan of the treats and dog food options but [...]
Angela H
Amazing, friendly staff who go above and beyond for the dogs and their owners. Locally owned with Midwest service and hospitality
Rhonda A
Bow wow everybody. My name is Petey and I have to tell you that I have the best time at Central Bark! I get so excited when mom tells me I get to go play I nearly break the glass door trying to get in. I’ve met a lot of [...]
Becky M
Everything about Central Bark in Rochester is excellent. The staff are so welcoming and accommodating. Christine the groomer is simply fantastic and not only loves our pup, but is a skilled and careful groomer. Our pup needs special grooming to ensure she stays mat and tangle free. Christine is knowledgeable [...]
Caroline B.
My Poppy gets so excited when she knows she is going to Central Bark! Lenny and all his staff are great! I think they love her as much as I do!

Central Bark® Whole Dog Care

Our comprehensive Whole Dog Care approach provides a diverse selection 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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Our mission is centered on enriching your dog’s life with tailored daily activities.

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Pamper your cherished pet with thoughtfully designed grooming sessions and delightful experiences to ignite their happiness.

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

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

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Strengthen your connection with your dog through constructive training and engaging activities that impart vital 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?

  • Tailored for Every Pup – We understand that each dog is unique. That’s why we customize each day to cater to your dog’s specific needs and preferences.
  • Whole Health and Happiness – Your dog will receive individualized attention, engaging activities, and the rest they require to ensure they are not only healthy and happy but also well-behaved both at home and in the community.
  • Canine Communication Experts – Our team consists of dog experts who have undergone specialized training in our science-based positive reinforcement approach. We speak dog fluently to create a comfortable and positive environment.
  • Safety and Cleanliness – The safety and well-being of all our guests is our top priority. We implement comprehensive safety protocols and rigorous cleaning procedures to guarantee your dog’s health and security throughout their stay.
  • Trusted Love and Care – For over two decades, families have entrusted Central Bark to enhance their dog’s lives with a perfect blend of personalized attention, playtime, exercise, socialization, training, relaxation, and affection.
  • Strengthening Bonds – Spending a day apart can bring you closer. Your dog will return home content and in great health, and you can bid farewell to the worries of leaving them home alone.

Dog Day Care. Reimagined.

Central Bark Enrichment Dog Day Care elevates the concept of dog day care to an entirely new standard. This program seamlessly blends our expertise with the latest insights from dog behavior science and the principles of positive dog training. Your dog will relish a day that’s designed to suit their individual needs, offering the ideal balance of play, mental and physical exercise, social interaction, training, relaxation, and affection. It’s the recipe for a healthy, joyful, and well-rounded canine companion.

a dog playgroup during a sunny day at Central Bark Rochester 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 Rochester 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 Rochester 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 Rochester 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

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.

What is the best dog shampoo?

Choosing the right dog shampoo can give your dog a shiny coat, less itching, and irritation, for a happy, clean-smelling dog. The best option for your dog will depend on its skin type and breed. 

Every item in our Central Bark® Market is specially selected to enhance your dog’s physical health for maximum happiness and comfort. We can help you choose from our selection of high-quality dog shampoo food to develop and maintain healthy skin and coat.

Call or visit our Market today! 

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.

Learn more about Enrichment Doggy Day Care.

Can I see the complete facilities where my dog will be staying?

Of course! You are welcome to visit and tour the center before enrolling. Please visit our locations section to find the Central Bark Doggy Day Care location that is nearest to you.

Read all FAQs