Central Bark^®
Dog Training & Enrichment

Help your dog be the best they can be with dog training

A well-trained dog is a happy dog – and part of a happy family. At Central Bark, our dog training professionals use fun and positive, reward-based techniques. They help dogs of all ages develop important life skills and behaviors.

We offer both individual training and enrichment sessions. Also, there are group classes to reinforce good habits and foster the loving bond you have with your dog. Training builds a foundation for good canine citizenship and helps develop happy, social, and well-rounded dogs.

Services, options, and prices vary by store. Visit your location for details.

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Available Services and Pricing

Dog Life Skills Taught at Central Bark

We customize our training programs to meet the unique needs of each dog. Our training services cover a wide range of skills and behaviors, including:

Name recall: Teaching your dog to come to you when called by name is an essential skill for any dog owner. We use positive reinforcement to help your dog learn to come when called, even in distracting environments.
Sit, stay, down, wait, and leave-it: These are some of the basic commands that every dog should know. Our dog training includes positive reinforcement techniques. These teach your dog these essential skills, which can help improve their behavior and make them easier to manage.
Door and gate control: Teaching your dog to wait patiently at doors and gates can help prevent them from running out in unsafe areas. Our trainers can teach your dog to enter and depart on cue while waiting peacefully at gates and doors.
Loose-leash walking: It might be annoying and even hazardous if your dog tugs on the leash when you’re out walking. Our trainers can help teach your dog to walk calmly on a loose leash, making walks more enjoyable for both you and your dog.
And more: In addition to these dog training skills, our trainers can also work with you and your dog on other behaviors or issues that your pup may be experiencing, such as separation anxiety, barking, or destructive chewing.

At our Central Bark doggy daycare facility, we’re committed to helping your dog reach their full potential. Get in touch with us right away to find out more about our training options and how we can make your furry friend’s life better!

Dog Training & Enrichment Options:

Training Tutor

Personalized one-on-one training sessions during day care visits help your dog develop important 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.

One-on-One Enrichment

Personalized One-on-One Enrichment sessions give your dog the extra attention they love and the freedom to use their senses and safely explore their instincts through interactive toys, puzzles, and games. It’s fun and rewarding and exercise their bodies and minds and engage their senses. Add complexity with fitness and agility equipment.

Rest Period Enrichment

Your dog gets to 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, which can help them achieve a healthy balance of play, learning, and rest. It can also help them become more comfortable in crates by building positive associations.

Dog Training & Enrichment Gallery

trainer teaching dog — One-on-One Training Tutor

trainer playing with dog — One-on-One Enrichment Session

brown dog with tennis ball — Fetch and retrieval games

dog solving puzzle — Brain games and food puzzles

dog jumping over hurdle — Fitness and agility

dog playing at daycare — Mental and physical enrichment

Kristy M

Super friendly and professional. Highly recommended. Our pup had a fabulous first day!

Lynn. A

Ellie's recent stayover was the longest thus far, and I felt such a peace knowing that Ellie was in the best of hands!! I was comfortable mostly because I know how much she enjoys her daycare days. She loves it!! I'm so happy that Central Bark West Columbia is in [...]

Katie M.

Our sweet Leo absolutely loves his daycare days. The staff is always friendly and have been helpful with any questions I’ve had. We are so happy we found a place that’s safe for our pup when we can’t be with him.

Megan J.

Rosie had her first ever Spa Day! She smelled so good and she felt so soft after her bath! I can’t wait for her to go again. Elizabeth did a wonderful job!

Rachel I.

Central Bark is by far the best place to take your fur baby. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and love all the pets as their own. Thank you Central Bark!!!!

Alicia L

This is the only place we will leave our furbaby when traveling. It is very clean and our furbaby gets so excited when we pull up!

Sheila T.

The staff is amazing, and Otto has a good time...he's always smiling in the pictures!

Lynn R.

Central Bark staff work with your dog's personality to acclimate them to the environment. Our Maggie is very timid, and they worked with her so that now she plays with the other dogs. She is worn out for the evening and the next day. Thank you, Central Bark!

Jennifer F.

This is an amazing place to send your furry friends! Our pup Mahogany (Huggy) gets so excited every time we pull in to the parking lot. He always comes home happy & pooped out! The staff is friendly and just as excited to see Huggy as he is to see [...]

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I purchase a single training session or do I have to buy a package?

Our Training Tutor and Enrichment services are available as add-ons to your dog’s day care visit, and while single sessions are available, packages are also offered for your convenience. Please note that prepaid packages are nonrefundable, and all sales are final. We recommend speaking with an associate to determine the best option for your dog’s training needs.

Is 5 months too old to train a puppy?

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.

What’s a Behavior Assessment and why is it important?

As part of joining the Central Bark® family, our expert staff conducts a thorough behavior assessment at your local Central Bark store. These assessments help ensure that your dog is placed with a playgroup they’re comfortable with so they can play safely every day they’re with us.

This four-day evaluation, while your dog participates in our Enrichment Day Care, assesses your dog’s:

Comfort and social skills with people
Social skills and playstyle with other dogs to help determine the playgroup and play schedule they can benefit from the most
Comfort in both indoor and outdoor play spaces
Comfort in rest areas and a crate
Ability to share resources like water and toys in social settings
Level of comfort taking treats in social settings

This process gives us a chance to get to know you and your dog while your dog gets acquainted with their new favorite place away from home. Through the entire four days, your dog’s comfort and safety is our top priority.

Once your pup passes all the behavior assessment elements, you are welcome to sign up for any of our daycare services or a sleepover!

To schedule a Behavior Assessment for your dog, please contact your local store.

NOTE: Please bring all required signed forms, vaccination proof, and a collar and leash for your behavior assessment.

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.