Healthy.
Happy.
Whole.

Welcome To Central Bark York – Dog Day Care Services

At Central Bark York, we deeply appreciate and recognize the unique connection we share with our beloved furry companions. Our unwavering love for dogs drives us to ensure they have the best possible life. However, fulfilling all their needs can present occasional challenges. That’s why Central Bark® has earned the trust of families.

We provide a compassionate environment for dogs’ health, happiness, and well-being. Confidently choose Central Bark York for a fantastic day with furry friends your dog will love.

Our comprehensive approach to dog care, known as Whole Dog Care, centers around nurturing and enriching every aspect of your dog’s health and well-being throughout their entire life. At the heart of this approach lies our Enrichment Dog Day Care program. In addition, we offer various services such as dog boarding, baths, grooming, marketplace, training, and more. Our ultimate mission is to assist you and your dog in experiencing the most fulfilling life together.

We fully understand that dogs are not mere pets but cherished members of the family. Treating every dog like our own, with pride and devotion, as devoted dog parents ourselves.

Central Bark
York

3615 E Market St,
York, PA 17402Get Directions

(717) 650-2381

Open Today 6:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Enroll Now
Eddie P.
Great staff and great environment for my two dogs . One is a puppy and the other is 10 they both love it at Central Bark. highly recommend Central Bark and the great staff that provides great care for the dogs that attend the facility.

Central Bark York Whole Dog Care

Immerse yourself in our all-encompassing approach to dog care, where we offer an extensive selection of personalized products and services. Prioritizing your dog’s well-being for a lifetime of happiness and contentment.

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At our Dog Day Care, we are wholeheartedly dedicated to enhancing the lives of dogs through an array of personalized and exciting activities.

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Indulge your furry companion in a tailored grooming experience and captivating enrichment activities that promise ultimate enjoyment and satisfaction.

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Through our Dog Boarding service, we provide a cozy environment for your dog, minimizing stress and ensuring their happiness and well-being.

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Explore our premium selection of dog food, treats, toys, and accessories meticulously crafted to promote your pet’s physical well-being and nutrition.

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Enhance your bond with your dog through positive training and enrichment programs that nurture vital skills and behaviors.

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 York?

  • Tailored for your furry friend: We understand the unique qualities of each dog and design their day to meet their individual needs and preferences.
  • Holistic well-being and happiness: Promoting holistic well-being and happiness through personalized attention, engaging activities, and ample rest for your dog.
  • Fluent in dog language: Our staff members are extensively trained in our science-based positive reinforcement approach, allowing them to communicate effectively with and understand the needs of dogs.
  • Safety and cleanliness: The safety and well-being of all our guests are our top priorities. We adhere to comprehensive safety protocols and maintain rigorous cleaning procedures to ensure that your dog remains safe and healthy throughout their stay.
  • Trusted and affectionate care: Central Bark has been entrusted by families for over 20 years to enhance their dogs’ lives. Our winning combination of personalized attention, playtime, exercise, socialization, training, rest, and genuine affection ensures a loving environment.
  • Building a lifelong bond: It’s remarkable how a day spent apart can strengthen the bond between you and your dog. When your dog returns home happy and healthy, you can be free from the worry of leaving them alone for another day.

Dog Day Care. Reimagined.

Experience an elevated day care experience for your dog with Central Bark Enrichment Dog Day Care! We revolutionize the concept of dog day care by combining expertise with the latest insights from dog behavior science. Your cherished canine companion will flourish in a tailored and stimulating environment, receiving the perfect blend of play, mental stimulation, physical exercise, socialization, training, rest, and affection. Uncover a whole new realm of care that fosters your dog’s overall well-being, happiness, and growth.

four dogs on a stand outside

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.

dog trainer with four dogs

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.

Central Bark Enrichment

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.

dog trainer with one dog

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

What is dog boarding?

Dog boarding gives your dog a safe and comfortable place to spend the night when they can’t be home overnight. It can last for just one night or for a week or more at a time.

At Central Bark®, we offer Sleepovers to dogs enrolled in our Enrichment Day Care Program. 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 included with your sleepover stay.

Our Stay-n-Play program (available at participating locations) offers boarding for dogs that have not enrolled in our day care program. Each overnight guest gets a restful night’s sleep, followed by a day of play, exercise, and plenty of TLC from our staff. Stay-n-Play guests sleep and play in their own designated areas. 

Learn more about sleepovers at Central Bark.

What is dog training?

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
.

How long does dog training take?

The timeline for learning new behaviors and skills is as unique as every dog! Because each dog is an individual, with different learning histories, breed genetics, and preferences in reinforcers like treats and toys, there is no way to say for sure how long training will take. It’s also important to consider how much time each family has for daily training practice.

Whether you’re crate training, leash walking, or potty training your pup, consistency is key. It’s crucial to establish a routine, practice positive reinforcement, supervise your puppy (especially when potty training), and avoid punishing your puppy when mistakes happen. 

Central Bark® offers everything you need to help you train your dog, with expert training and classes so you and your pup can learn and bond together. 

Learn more about our training classes.

Visit our Dog Blog for more helpful tips
.

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.

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