Rochester
Enrichment Dog Day Care 

Dog Day Care. Reimagined.

The bond with your furry best friend is incomparable, but our busy lives can make it tough to meet all their health and happiness needs. This can lead to problems like loneliness, boredom, weight gain, anxiety, and unwanted behaviors. This is where our Rochester doggy day care comes in.

Central Bark® Rochester offers a safe and loving space where your dog can play and learn. With socialization, mental stimulation, and physical exercise, we provide everything their minds and bodies require for a healthy and joyful life.

Our emphasis on canine enrichment elevates your dog’s overall well-being, promoting problem-solving, skill-building, and confidence through enjoyable and rewarding activities. Rest assured, your dog is having a fantastic time with their pals, as Enrichment Dog Day Care is our specialty.

Central Bark
Rochester

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

(507) 322-6655

Open Today 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Request Appointment
doggy day care Rochester benefits: love, play, learn, rest

A Healthy, Balanced Day

Enrichment Dog Day Care offers a well-rounded mix of play, exercise, socialization, learning, rest, and tender loving care, tailored to your dog’s individual needs. This holistic approach nurtures their physical, mental, and sensory well-being, ensuring you have a healthy, happy, calm, and well-rounded companion at home.

  • Play, Exercise, and Socialization: Exercise helps maintain your dog’s physical health and mood, providing a positive outlet for their energy. It also fosters a well-socialized and contented dog. Our facility offers various playgroups in both indoor and outdoor spaces, accommodating your dog’s age, personality, and comfort level.
  • Rest: Adequate rest is essential for your dog’s overall health. Our daily schedule ensures they have the right balance of rest, play, and learning, preventing overstimulation.
  • Learning: Dogs learn from humans and other dogs, and our trained staff uses positive techniques to encourage safe play and reinforce healthy social behaviors during day care.
  • Love: Your dog becomes part of our family, receiving the attention and care they need. With regular attendance, we build a close bond with your dog, allowing us to better understand their personality, needs, preferences, and even notice subtle changes, such as mood swings or health issues.

Commitment to Safety

Our utmost concern is the safety and welfare of all our guests. Being dog parents ourselves, we deeply value each dog as if they were our own. Our unwavering commitment is to ensure a secure and healthy environment for everyone who steps into our facility.

Highly Trained and Caring Staff
Facility Design
Deep Cleaning + Disinfection
Health Requirements
Dog Behavior Assessments
Consistent Attendance

Central Bark® RochesterEnrichment Dog Day Care Features

Central Bark doggy day care: a dog playgroup during a sunny day

Flexible Group Play

Our flexible playgroups provide tailored social experiences for your dog, ensuring a balanced mix of play, rest, and learning in a safer, higher-quality environment. Our lower dog-to-staff ratios mean more individualized attention and care.

Central Bark trainer pointing her finger at four large dogs that are sitting down at a doggy day care

Group Play Skills

Engaging group activities and positive reinforcement assist dogs in mastering essential skills such as name recall, group sitting, and calmly navigating doors and gates. These enjoyable and rewarding activities enhance behavior, impulse control, and contribute to a safer social environment, all while your dog has a great time.

Central Bark doggy day care: a white-brown dog eating out of a treat toy

Rest Period Enrichment

Your dog enjoys a tranquil retreat with customized toys and food, fostering mental and physical relaxation while promoting a balanced mix of play, learning, and rest. This also aids in creating positive crate associations.

Central Bark Rochester trainer with a corgi beside her at a doggy day care

One-on-One Enrichment

Personalized One-on-One Enrichment sessions offer your dog individual attention and the opportunity to engage their senses with interactive toys and activities, promoting both mental and physical stimulation.

Rochester Dog Day Care Pricing

Weekly Member Plans

1 day per week 44 (44/day)
2 days per week86 (43/day)
3+ days per week123+ (41/day)
Learn more about our Enrichment Dog Day Care Membership Program.

Member Perks:

  • Preferred scheduling.
  • Reduced pricing for Enrichment Dog Day Care and Dog Boarding.
  • 5% off on all retail purchases, including dog food!
  • Membership plan credits can be used for multiple dogs in the same family and applied toward Dog Boarding stays.

Non-Member

Schedule & Pay As You Go
Reservations are subject to availability.
49/day

Additional Services

Behavior Assessment
One-time, nonrefundable fee due on the first visit. All dogs must pass a behavior assessment and attend at least once per week for enrollment in our day care program. 
28
Day-n-Play
Day care for dogs that are not enrolled in our day care program. This includes one-one-one enrichment play sessions. Each dog plays in their own space to ensure the safety and comfort of all dogs.
60

Training & Enrichment Add-ons

Training Tutor
One-on-one training session during your dog’s visit to practice important cues and behavior skills. Packages available.
30
One-on-One Enrichment
Personalized session during your dog’s visit with interactive toys, puzzles, and games to exercise your dog’s body and mind.
25
Rest Period Enrichment
Private space with calming interactive food toy to help your dog achieve a healthy balance of activity and rest.
6
If you have any concerns about food sensitivities or destructive tendencies, please speak to an associate at the front desk to discuss available options. All sales are final.

Additional fees may apply for special requests (i.e., meds, food packaging, etc.).
Late fees apply after business hours.
Prepaid memberships are nonrefundable and expire. All sales are final.

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!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are One-on-One Enrichment sessions?

Our One-on-One Enrichment sessions give your dog the freedom to safely explore their senses with an Enrichment Specialist. They’ll get the personal attention they love, supplemented with interactive toys, puzzles, and games that exercise their bodies and minds. They can also level up their skills with fitness training and agility exercises if they’re ready for more. 

Did you know? 15 minutes of mental activity is equal to 30 minutes of physical exercise!

Learn more about Enrichment Doggy Day Care.

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.

How to choose the best day care for your dog

Selecting the right doggy day care is an important decision for you and your family. You want to make sure you find the right fit for your dog and your family’s needs. Follow these tips to find the perfect place for your pup! 

Tour the day care center before leaving your dog there. We recommend visiting several centers in your area before making a final decision.

While you’re there, ask yourself:

  • Is the play space clean, odor-free, comfortable, and safe for the center’s stated capacity? 
  • Pay attention to how the management and staff treat you, your dog, and the dogs in their care. Are they mature, knowledgeable, courteous, professional, and patient at all times? 
  • Note how the dogs respond to the staff – do they seem happy, relaxed, and excited? How do staff members greet and treat each dog?
  • How do other dogs act during your visit – relaxed, happy, stressed, scared, or out of control?
  • Is there a great deal of noise? 
  • Does the facility seem well organized and equipped with essential tools and supplies? Look for access to fresh, clean water, sanitation tools, ready access to treats to reinforce good behavior in playgroups, toys, secure fencing, rubber flooring in the inside play spaces, and access to outdoor play spaces.
  • Are there enough crates for every dog on-site in case of an emergency?
  • Are the dogs ever left alone together without a staff member present?
  • Are the handlers engaged with the dogs in their care and actively working with them? Or are they sitting on the sidelines? 

Questions to ask the doggy day care provider:

  1. Will my dog get individual attention time with staff?
    Ask if staff will have time to work individually with your dog on behaviors, play with them, and give them support and love while at day care.
  2. Are there small group play options?
    Small playgroup options help ensure your dog will have a social environment that allows them the freedom and comfort to thrive based on their unique needs, preferences, and play styles. 
  3. What’s the daily schedule? Is this tailored to my dog’s unique needs and preferences?
    Dogs thrive on routine, so the center should have a clear schedule for how things run every day. A consistent program tailored to your dog’s individual needs and style will promote a healthy and happy dog. 
  4. Are there regularly scheduled playtimes and nap times throughout the day?
    Day care should offer your dog a safe and balanced day of play, learning, rest, and love so you can look forward to a happy, well-balanced dog at the end of every day. 
  5. How and where are the dogs’ given downtime to wind down from the day’s activities to help prevent exhaustion and overstimulation?
    Maintaining a healthy balance of rest and play is important for the physical, mental, and social health of dogs. Just like human athletes, rest helps dogs avoid bodily injury and provides a space for them to unwind, so they do not become over-stimulated or over-aroused during play. This creates a much safer social environment for dogs. 
  6. Are there fenced and secure outdoor play areas? 
    Safe outdoor areas are important for a healthy, fun playtime. Whether it is romping in the snow or playing in swimming pools, everyone loves recess outside!
  7. How are new dog introductions handled?
    The center should clearly outline their procedures around new dog introductions, with effective policies that encourage happy, healthy, and lasting relationships and experiences.   
  8. What training does the staff receive?
    Doggy day care staff should be professionally trained and educated in animal behavior, socialization, and obedience training to ensure every dog’s well-being.  
  9. Are the dogs supervised at all times?
    A trained staff member should ALWAYS supervise dogs.
  10. Ask about behavior management tools used at the facility while caring for the dogs. What happens if your dog does something right? What happens if your dog does something wrong?
    Staff should use positive reinforcement and reward-based techniques to develop and reinforce behaviors that will enrich dogs’ lives at home and day care. Avoid centers that use punishment or correction to manage dog’s behavior as those techniques can create negative associations and fear. Utilizing reward-based techniques and positive reinforcement, on the other hand, can help build healthy relationships and happy experiences.
  11. What provisions are there for avoiding dog scuffles?
    Ask staff how they manage the dogs in their care. What do they look for in dog-dog interactions? How do they deal with emergencies and scuffles? How do they interrupt and redirect dogs? How do they build useful playgroup skills to keep the dogs safe proactively? Pay attention to how staff redirects dogs who need additional support to stay safe and whether they respond promptly and use effective strategies in these situations.
  12. Is there an in-depth interview to determine relevant background, behavioral, and health information including confirmation of spay/neuter, proof of vaccinations, flea and tick prevention, etc.? How is this information kept up to date?
    Find out what kind of assessments and evaluations the center uses before they accept a new dog. Also, every dog’s information should be regularly updated and kept on file to prevent illness and injuries.
  13. Do they have safety, cleaning, and disinfecting policies and procedures? What are they?

Learn more about Enrichment Doggy Day Care.

Why choose doggy day care for your dog?

There’s no bond like the one between our furry best friends and us. We love our dogs and want to give them the best life possible. But it can be challenging to fulfill all their needs to stay healthy and happy for a lifetime. Doggy day care gives pups a place to play and learn in a safe environment, with the socialization, mental stimulation, and physical exercise their minds and bodies need to stay healthy for a lifetime. 

  • Dogs get to socialize. Dogs are social creatures. Positive experiences with new humans, new dogs, and new environments are essential to a well-rounded pup.
  • Dogs learn social skills. Dogs learn from other dogs – they’re always teaching each other what is (and isn’t) appropriate social behavior. Doggy day care staff can also help support safe play and practice healthy social behaviors.
  • Dogs get more exercise. Exercise helps your dog maintain a healthy weight and muscle tone while improving their mood and providing a healthy outlet for their physical and mental energy, meaning they can be more relaxed at home.  
  • Dogs get human attention. Your dog will get the care and love they need while you’re at work or school.  
  • Parents get a break. Doggy day care can give you a day off from responsibilities, while your dog gets what they need to be a healthier, more well-adjusted pet.

Learn more about Enrichment Doggy Day Care.

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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.