Central Bark Doggy Daycare

After a negative incident with our old groomer, we decided to look for a new place to take our Yorkie for grooming. Central Bark had such good feedback, we gave them a shot and we're glad we did. Although this place seems does more than just grooming, we've only used them for grooming so this review only reflects that aspect. We've used Central Bark twice now and they do a really good job. Our Yorkie is very sensitive about having his paws/legs touched so trimming his nails can be a chore--to the point where our last groomer would not trim his nails half the time or do a bad job. At CB, trimming his nails has not been an issue. Also, he didn't act weird or reserved on our second trip so it looks like he doesn't fear this place. Grooming time has taken a couple hours, which is very acceptable--even quick by some standards. Pricing is higher than our last groomer but only by a bit and if our Yorkie is happier, it's definitely worth it. We look forward to returning again for futur... Read more

Ever since I thought my dog wasn't getting enough exercise, I started sending him here. The People are really nice and helpful and feed,bath...

My Shana loves Bonnie and the rest of the staff at Central Bark. She gets elated when she sees them! I moved my residence and was afraid of sending Shana to a different day-care place nearby. Luckily Bonnie had a shuttle service to accomodate myself and Shana. The comfort level and security of knowing my girl is safe and is happy to be at Central Bark is what matters most. I travel for work as well and I can rest easy knowing Shana is well taken care when I am away. Not sure where I would be without Bonnie and her staff's services. I highly reccommend Central Bark. They are trustworthy and loving to both myself and my girl Shana. Thanks for everything!!

Our dog Moses went to Central Bark for daycare for over a year and also used Central Bark for boarding. If you want a place where you really KNOW your dog will be looked after and not missed in a crowd-this is the place for you! Bonnie and Christine are so loving and attentive to the dogs and do such a great job at making sure they get to know your dog and that he is well cared for. I started working part-time and therefore couldn't really justify the expense of sending Moses to daycare every week, and I know he misses it! This is not a place where your dog will have his own private suite and a plasma tv...but who is that really for? If people truly know dogs they will know that frou frou accessories are for the owner not the dog. Here your dog will get what he really needs: Love, care, attention and most important fun!

We take our dog here to get groomed, we have never used this place as a doggy day care yet. That is not to say we wouldn't - the owner and ...

My dog jumps up from what ever she is doing to run to Bonnie when she comes to pick her up in the Canine Cab! Cheyenne's tail is wagging and she can not wait to go to doggie day care to be with all of her canine and human friends. There are always special events like photos with Santa that the dogs and parents love. Bonnie and company are the best - I can not say enough good things about Central bark - having Cheyenne go to Central bark was the best decision we ever made.

I've been sending my dog to Central Bark for nearly a year now.....she loves it! Bonnie and her staff are great--they obviously love the dogs and care about them. I looked at several doggie day care facilities before choosing Central Bark and I wouldn't even consider going anywhere else!

I toured and checked reviews on 5 different daycare facilities before deciding on Central Bark for my older Aussie, Madison. I was looking for a facility with padded floors, good security features, was super clean, had a separate play group appropriate for my senior girl, and had a staff that was professional, courteous, and that truly cared about dogs. Central Bark is all that and then some. I think it's the owner (Bonnie) and her staff that place Central Bark above the other facilities in the city. Bonnie truly cares about dogs -- her dogs, your dogs, homeless dogs (she's a foster mom and tireless advocate of at least one dog rescue group). You feel that your precious family member is in very good, very caring hands when you go to Central Bark. Bonnie and her staff are so accommodating. They are genuinely concerned with providing a fun and stimulating atmosphere for your dog. You just know that your dog is safe and having fun when he or she is at Central Bark. Plus, I like t... Read more

My two dogs go to Central Bark Doggie Daycare and I cannot believe how happy and GOOD they are! After searching for a few months and using several other daycares, we came upon Bonnie and Central Bark. Home at last! At Central Bark, my babies get "true" all-day play. I mean, they are out romping about with other dogs, playing with toys, jumping in a wading pool when it's hot, climbing on doggie jungle-gyms, and playing with the Central Bark caretakers for hours. There's a midday break for a rejuvenating nap where Bonnie plays soothing classical music. Then, it's back to play, play, play! I'm on the road a lot with this new job, so even though they open at 7am, Bonnie accommodates me and let's me drop off at 6:45am. Who else would do that?!?! Like I said, it took me a while to find Central Bark. Other daycares would crate my dogs most of the day and they might have 2 or 3 30-minute play times throughout the day. I did find a couple that had 3 or 4 one-hour play times, but they... Read more

We went to another dog-daycare/boarding facility not too far away and had issues. We came upon Central Bark and fell in love. We first tried it out for a sleep over and were sold on bringing our dog in once a week. I am actually thinking of taking our dog more than once a week. He is very socialized now with other dogs and is getting better all of the time. They also have rubber floors which is very important! Our dog came back from the other place with sores and blisters on his feet - that has NEVER happened at Central Bark. Bonnie and Kristine always make sure you tell you if anything happened that day - my dog is frequently in time out - he is naughty :) and they let me know if anything happened. They are great with certain issues too. Our dog has a major medical condition and requires special medication which they are happy to do. I have been very impressed and I highly recommend checking them out. My husband was intially not sold on the idea of putting our dog in any type of da... Read more

Searching for a doggy daycare in Chicago was quite an adventure. After months of trial and error it wasn't until we met Bonnie and the crew at Central Bark that we felt completely comfortable and excited for our dog Sam. Central Bark has become a second home for Sam. Ever since he started going there he has become incredibly socialized and its so wonderful to bring him home exhausted from a day of play. Central Bark is also an incredible support for the animal community in their thorough commitment to the well-being, safety, and fairness of all dogs. They are always fostering and giving back to a community in which they are greatly needed. Sam and I would recommend Central Bark to all of Chicago!

110% Satisfied Customer! Bonnie and her incredible staff constantly amaze me with their compassion, excitement and dedication to my dog Sam! He attends doggy day care twice a week and the benefits are too much to list--the socialization, the play time, the fun!!! Central Bark's facility is clean, bright and welcoming--exactly the kind of place I feel safe leaving my dog. I always know he is in safe hands and they keep a very close eye on him. He always comes home very satisfied--and very tired! Central Bark is one business that I absolutely LOVE supporting--they are heavily involved in the dog rescue scene in Chicago and it feels great to support an organization that is truly dedicated to the well being and happiness of all dogs. Sam absolutely loves his time with Bonnie and the Central Bark gang---I know he's disappointed when every car ride doesn't end at Central Bark!

My dog just loves going to day care at central bark. The staff is wonderful with her. I used to take my dog to a different day care and she would always come home smelling funky. Not at central bark. This place is clean, neat, organized and everyone really cares about dogs. She is always so excited to go in so I know that she has fun there. I also love looking at the new pictures that they put on their website. From the pictures you can tell that all the dogs are having fun.

We absolutely love Bonnie and the staff of Central Bark. Payton is always so excited to go and so happy (and tired!) when she gets home. We love hearing about who she played with, and getting her report cards (especially when she behaves!) The pictures online are also really fun to look at and see your little one in action! The pet taxi is a huge plus and such a convenience for us. I know when we send Payton to Central Bark she is going to a fun-filled, loving environment where she will be safe and well taken care of. They treat my "baby" just the way I would hope someone would.

This place is fantastic! Bonnie the owner is extremely nice and accommodating. She really takes times to get to know you and your dog(s). She has really done a great job with the layout and decoration as well. There is an indoor and outdoor play area for your dogs while visiting and on hot days even a baby pool outside for those dogs who love to splash in water! The place is clean and bright. There are grooming services and a pet taxi here as well. The boutique has great foods, treats and toys! My Boston Terriers attended a Boston meet up group here and they just LOVED it! Highly recommended for meetups if you are planning one. Want to plan a birthday party of your dog? They have the attractive packages for that as well! A+ for Bonnie and her facility!

I wasn?t really looking for day care for my dog, Otto, when I heard about Central Bark. Otto is a cockapoo and has been used to me working from home. I thought it would be good for him (and his separation anxiety) to go to daycare, so we made the decision to start him out once a week. I checked out Central Bark?s facility - which is unbelievably clean and safe and had the chance to get to know Bonnie, the owner. Bonnie and her staff are wonderful, caring people who really get to know the dogs and their personalities. I completely trust my ?baby? with them. I love to hear stories about who Otto played with (his best friend an elderly Vizsla) and how he jumps into daycare without any hesitation. Another extraordinary benefit is the pick up service. It is hard enough getting myself ready and off to work without worrying about Otto. The Central Bark staff picks him up and drops him off for a very reasonable price. For me it is so comforting to know that Otto is in a safe place and ... Read more

From the first time I contacted Central Bark Doggie Daycare I was amazed by the warmth and friendliness of the caretakers. I bring my Siberian Husky, Sequoia, in for day care twice a week. From the moment I tell him that we are going to daycare, he gets so excited. He starts running around and immediately jumps in the car. As soon as we arrive at Central Bark he greets, Bonnie, the owner, or Christine, with a big hug and kiss! Bonnie and all of the workers treat the dogs as if they were their own pet! I feel secure in leaving my dog in their care for the day or for an extended period of time. I am so happy that I have found Central Bark. The canine cab is also great if you need assistance getting your dog to and from daycare! Central Bark is centered around your convenience, whether it be transportation or dietary needs, Cental Bark will accomodate you. Recently, I began using their sleepover service. It is difficult to leave your dog when you go out of town, but I know that... Read more

I am so excited to have found Central Bark Doggy Day Care! From the first day I walked in with my dog I have been nothing but impressed. Bonnie and her staff always greets us (actually greets Gwen first then me!) as soon as we walk in the door and Gwen never leaves without a big hug. The place is always clean and smells good which means my dog is not super gross when she leaves. Gwen loves the pool and the occasional dog slobber bath is ok :0) and I guess if she goes home kind of gross it means I am getting my monies worth! Thanks Bonnie!

I love Central Bark. But most importantly, my dog loves Central Bark. The love that he gets when he goes to day care is second to none. Bonnie and Christine treat him like he belongs to them and he can tell. I am so lucky to have found Central Bark because now I dont worry about my precious boy when I am at work or away from home. I love the fact that the place is clean and that Bonnie and her staff are always so friendly and accomodating for me.

Central Bark is a great facility to take your dog to. My dog gets so excited when arriving to daycare and gets even more excited when seeing the staff. The owner Bonnie and her staff are awesome, they have been very tender and loving to my pet. Even to me as the dog owner they have been so helpful in relating information and just making me feel so comfortable. I really recommend taking your pet there, the service is so great that you'll enjoy dropping your pet off.

Thank goodness for Central Bark! I take my two dogs to Central Bark three (3) times per week. My dogs love it there! They cant wait to get out of the car when we pull up and I literally have to drag them out of there because they hate leaving. The moment I met Bonnie both on the phone and in person, I knew my dogs were going to be treated like a kings. The place is always immaculate and its so bright and inviting. I can't say enough about Bonnie and the staff. I give Central Bark FIVE bones (aka stars) !!!

We have two very energetic American Bulldog mixes who LOVE to play. After trying several dog daycare facilities in the Chicago area we just weren't satisfied. We heard a new dog daycare had opened up in the area, Central Bark Doggy Daycare, and thought we'd give them a try. We met the owner, Bonnie, who is wonderful with the dogs, she treats them like her own. We took a tour of the facility and she happily answered our (numerous) questions. Bonnie and her staff made us feel completely comfortable about taking our dogs there. We decided to give it a try and the dogs absolutely love it there! Central Bark also offers a taxi service for a very reasonable price which saves a ton of time. I love coming home from work to find two sleepy pups. Now, our two dogs are regulars at daycamp and for sleepovers whenever we travel. Bonnie and her staff are great with them, and they can be a real handful! Now when we come to pick them up after a day of playing, they don't want to leave! Aft... Read more

At the end of 2006, I was forced to find a new doggy day care for my dog, Timo. I began my search on the internet, and needless to say, I found numerous daycares in the Chicago area. I had no idea where to begin. I checked out many websites and priced out a number of options. After the New Year, I thought it would be a good idea for Timo and I to check out some potential daycares. I started at Central Bark. The facility was clean and dog friendly, there was reserved parking for clients, grooming services and plently of fun toys and treats for dogs. After being welcomed by Bonnie, having all my questions and concerns answered, I had no reason to search any further. l felt completely comfortable leaving my dog in her care. One of the things I was looking for in a day care was for the staff to be as passionate about my dog as I am. I want the people he spends the majority of his day with to love him and care for him as I would. I didn't want him to spend his day in a crate. I... Read more

Bonnie and her staff our great. They really care about your pets she loves them like her own. I never felt bad about leaving my pet at Central Bark it is like sending them to camp. Your dog will have so much fun he might not want to go home.

I recently started bringing my two dogs to Central Bark Doggy Day Care. The first thing you will notice when you meet the owner, Bonnie Lemperis, is how much she truly loves dogs. Bonnie is genuinely happy to see my pups and they are just as happy to be there. They get a lot of activity and love when they are there. Knowing that my dogs are in Bonnie's care takes a huge load off of my mind, while I am at work. She also does a lovely job of grooming them. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND Central Bark!

I recently adopted a new puppy named Tiffany. A friend of mine recommended Central Bark for day care since I am working most of the day. Tiffany just loves it there. From the very first day that we brought her there she felt comfortable. Not only that, I can let Bonnie, the owner know that I want her groomed when I drop her off and at the end of the day, I have a freshly groomed and adorable dog. Their service is like no other. I highly recommend them. She is so excited when I pull up in the car that I know she is getting the attention and love that I expect while I leave her. Thanks to Bonnie and the whole Central Bark team!

I totally recommend Central Bark to anyone. The staff is so hands on with all the dogs its unreal on how much attention they give them. Their not just standing around looking at he dogs no, the dog handlers run, play catch, wrestle on the floor with the dogs of course very gentle. My dogs love it there. And their groomer just wonderful.

Escape from dog guilt by leaving Rex with these dog lovers--offering day care, boarding, a doggy salon and boutique, even veterinary services-- instead of leaving him alone.