There’s no bond like the one we share with our furry best friends. Our beloved dogs deserve the best, but it can be challenging to fulfill all their needs. That’s why families rely on Central Bark Dog Day Care to provide dogs with love and care. Our commitment extends beyond doggy day care, encompassing a wide range of services that contribute to keeping dogs healthy, content, and well-rounded.
When you bring your dog to Central Bark, you can rest assured they’re having a great day among friends in a safe and loving environment.
Our Whole Dog Care approach aims to nurture and enrich your pup’s overall health and well-being throughout their entire life. The heart of this approach is our Enrichment Dog Day Care program. We also offer dog services like dog boarding, baths, grooming, merchandise, training, and more. Everything to help you and your pup live fully.
We know that dogs aren’t just LIKE family — they ARE family. As dog parents ourselves, we take great pride in treating each and every dog like they’re our own.
Enrichment Dog Daycare
Central Bark’s Enrichment Dog Day Care offers more than playtime — it nurtures your dog’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. With small playgroups based on size, temperament, and playstyle, we create a safe, structured environment where dogs build confidence, learn good manners, and enjoy healthy socialization. Our enrichment activities, routine schedules, and trained enrichment specialists provide positive interaction, exercise, and rest so your dog goes home happy, tired, and fulfilled.
Central Bark’s dog grooming salon and spa keeps your pup looking and feeling their best with personalized care. Our experienced groomers use positive handling techniques and premium products tailored to your dog’s breed, size, and comfort needs. From baths and blowouts to nail trims, teeth brushing, deshedding, and specialty add-ons, we strive to create a stress-free, comfortable grooming experience. Add a spa day to your dog day care or boarding for a fresh, clean pup at pick up.
Central Bark dog boarding provides a safe, cozy home-away-from-home where your pup can rest comfortably while you’re away. Our team offers attentive, individualized care with plenty of enrichment, affection, and routine to help your dog feel secure. Each guest enjoys a clean, comfortable sleeping space, regular potty breaks, and caring supervision from people who know dogs well. Relax knowing your dog is safe, comfortable, and cared for like one of our own.
Central Bark’s dog training helps to build confidence, manners, and lifelong skills using force-free, positive reinforcement methods. Our dog trainers offer classes for puppies and adults, from basic obedience to more advanced skills. Training can also be integrated into our dog day care for active learning, socialization, and mental enrichment. With individualized sessions and options during day care, pups learn through play, enrichment, and structure. The result? A calmer, happier dog with better habits at home.
Central Bark’s Free Puppy Hour starts your puppy’s socialization the right way. This safe, supervised play session helps puppies build confidence, social skills, and healthy play habits during their most important developmental stage (8-16 weeks). Guided by trained enrichment specialists, puppies explore new sights, sounds, and friends while burning energy and learning healthy habits. Pet parents also get expert training tips and support. It’s a fun, stress-free way to nurture a well-rounded, confident puppy — at no cost.
There’s no bond like the one we share with our furry best friends. Our beloved dogs deserve the best, but it can be challenging to fulfill all their needs. That’s why families rely on Central Bark Dog Day Care to provide dogs with love and care. Our commitment extends beyond doggy day care, encompassing a wide range of services that contribute to keeping dogs healthy, content, and well-rounded.
When you bring your dog to Central Bark, you can rest assured they’re having a great day among friends in a safe and loving environment.
Our Whole Dog Care approach aims to nurture and enrich your pup’s overall health and well-being throughout their entire life. The heart of this approach is our Enrichment Dog Day Care program. We also offer dog services like dog boarding, baths, grooming, merchandise, training, and more. Everything to help you and your pup live fully.
We know that dogs aren’t just LIKE family — they ARE family. As dog parents ourselves, we take great pride in treating each and every dog like they’re our own.
Why do dogs LOVE Central Bark Dog Day Care?
It’s just for them – Every dog is special. We tailor each day to your dog’s needs and preferences.
Whole health + happiness – They’ll get all the personalized attention, activity, and rest they need to be healthy, happy, and well-behaved at home and in the community.
We speak dog – Our canine experts are highly trained in our science-based positive reinforcement approach.
Safe + clean – The safety and well-being of all our guests is our #1 priority. Our comprehensive safety policies and cleaning procedures ensure your dog is cared for every day they’re with us.
Trusted loving care – For over 20 years, families have trusted Central Bark to enrich their dogs’ lives with the right mix of personalized attention, exercise, socialization, training, rest, and love.
A bond for life – It’s amazing how a day apart can bring you closer! Your dog will come home happy and healthy without you worrying about them home alone.
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 [...]
Central Bark Dog Day Care Awards and Certifications
What Happens if My Dog Gets Into a Disagreement With Another Dog?
Our top priority is the safety of every dog in our care. Our staff members are not only highly trained but also “fluent in dog speak,” which means they can read canine body language and behavior cues. Our rigorous dog day care safety protocols use a science-based positive reinforcement approach to constantly monitor and manage play. We believe in proactive and preventative care, working to de-escalate potential issues before they start, which is a key part of how dog day care handles disagreements and maintains a secure environment for all dogs.
How do I Request a Reservation for a Day Care or Sleepover service in my online account?
Step 1: Login
Click the “Client Login” option found at the bottom of all pages on our website.
Enter either your email address or phone number that you signed up with
Click “continue logging in”
Then enter your password and click “Sign In”
Step 2: Request Services
You will now see the page below. From this page you can do a number of things along with requesting a reservation from the drop downs including editing your information, editing your pet’s info, adding/removing pets, checking your package credits, purchasing package credits, and adding/editing/changing photos.
Click the blue “request services” button
In the popup window, click the “Book Day Care or Sleepover Now!” button
Step 3: Select a Service Type
Scroll down past the notes (after you have read them) until you get to the “Details” section.
Click on the drop-down in the “Type” row and choose your reservation type.
Note: Grooming requests cannot be made through the customer portal. Please call to schedule an appointment.
Step 4: Make Your Reservation Request
Choose the pet or pets you would like to add to this reservation
Choose the date you are looking for
You may edit the drop-off and pick-up time from within our open hours, if you know those approximations
You can set up “recurring dates” for the same day/days each week for a timeframe
You can add additional reservations for other days at the same time.
Step 5: Add-on Services and Notes
You may add any additional services (such as enrichment training, training tutor, special meals (outside of lunch), salon and spa services, etc, to their reservation.
You may add any notes that you would like us to see in the notes box
You may run an estimate for the total cost of your reservation request (please note that the charges for “additional services” such as salon and spa, may vary from the default that shows in the estimate)
Once you have added everything you want, click “Save” in the lower right corner
Your Done!
You should see the page below if everything went through correctly. You will get an email confirmation when your reservation has been accepted and confirmed, if you are added to a waitlist, or if it is denied.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
Are the dogs supervised at all times? A trained staff member should ALWAYS supervise dogs.
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.
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.
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.
Do they have safety, cleaning, and disinfecting policies and procedures? What are they?
Yes! We love to celebrate our dog friends’ birthdays. You can rent space in our facility to celebrate, then bring in your treats and decorations. Or you can have us plan and run your entire event.
You are being redirected to a third-party website. Any information that you provide to them is subject to the privacy policy and terms of use posted on their website.