Dogs are more than pets; they are family members, friends, and the most loyal companions. Whether you’re leaving for vacation, going on a work trip, or needing doggy daycare for a high-energy pup, finding a reliable caregiver is crucial.
Over the last three decades, Central Bark has been more than just a place for dogs—it’s been a second home where pets thrive and families find peace of mind, knowing their pets are cared for.
Serving the communities of Fort Lauderdale, Oakland Park, and Wilton Manors, Central Bark continues to be recognized for its commitment to enriching the lives of dogs through comprehensive care and personalized attention. Their philosophy is simple yet profound: every dog deserves the best. Whether it’s a day of play in their Enrichment Dog Day Care program, a cozy retreat during boarding, a pampering grooming session, or engaging training sessions, every service is designed with your dog’s holistic well-being in mind.
Their 20 year anniversary, which they are celebrating this month, is a testament to their philosophy.
Central Bark’s Initial Conception
When Chris Gaba worked in corporate America with two puppies at home, he found himself juggling the demands of his professional life with the responsibilities of being a dog owner. Frequent travel came with a need for reliable pet care options beyond the limited choices of kennels or asking for help from friends and family. At the same time, he began noticing a trend of doggy daycare centers popping up in large cities across the country.
Driven by a love for dogs and a desire to find a better pet care option, Chris Gaba visited numerous doggy daycares across different cities, even traveling internationally to learn from experts like Jean Donaldson. Donaldson worked with Dr. Ian Dunbar DVM, the Founder of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, to launch a positive reinforcement training revolution among dog owners and trainers worldwide.
In 2000, Chris Gaba opened the first Central Bark location on 12th Avenue, just across the street from the current location, where he experienced rapid success. By 2003, he formed a partnership with Jackie Jordan, a fellow corporate refugee turned entrepreneur, and they evolved into a franchise model, taking their footprint nationwide.
Today, Central Bark has 40 open stores with 36 in development.
What Sets Central Bark Apart
What sets Central Bark apart is its Whole Dog Care approach. This comprehensive strategy integrates the latest insights from dog behavior science and positive training methods. It’s about ensuring your dog’s physical, mental, and emotional health through a balanced mix of activities, social interaction, training, and relaxation.
Founder Chris Gaba explains, “Our program is based on science. We believe it is most important to create a happy, healthy, whole dog. That starts with getting a good basis of socialization, play, and exercise.”
Unlike typical doggy daycares where large groups of dogs may roam unsupervised, Central Bark offers a more personalized experience. Each location maintains a low staffing ratio of one person for every 12-15 dogs, ensuring a safe and attentive environment where every dog receives individualized care. Each facility has indoor and outdoor play areas.
Central Bark goes beyond traditional play by using an Enrichment approach. Canine enrichment is crucial for the overall well-being and happiness of dogs. It refers to activities and environments designed to stimulate dogs mentally, physically, and emotionally beyond their basic needs. Enrichment activities provide mental and physical challenges that prevent boredom and help keep dogs happy, healthy, and content.
Play sessions are structured and purposeful, with dogs engaging in activities, learning basic commands, and even participating in group tricks. “We’ve learned that just 10-15 minutes of mental stimulation and interaction is the equivalent of multiple hours of physical play,” says Gaba.
Central Bark balances play and enrichment activities with structured rest time. Gaba notes, “We believe that rest time is important for the dogs and their overall well-being.” Each location has a separate nap room where dogs enjoy peaceful downtime. When you enter, you won’t hear barking or whining–in fact, you won’t hear much at all! You’ll find a calm atmosphere where the dogs are resting peacefully after enriching play.
Gaba continues, “We use crates, enclosures, and luxury dens. Our dogs have their own individual places to self-soothe.” Rest time also includes enrichment with activities like kongs, snuffle mats, and lick mats to further enhance relaxation and mental stimulation.
A Pawsome Philosophy: Whole-Dog Care, Tailored for Your Dog’s Needs
Central Bark’s commitment to Whole Dog Care ensures that every dog leaves not only exercised and socialized but also mentally fulfilled and content. Each dog benefits from personalized attention and a tailored routine that promotes good behavior, both at Central Bark and at home. No matter what your dog needs, Central Bark has you covered. With a focus on “whole-dog health,” the staff is dedicated to making sure each dog is well-rounded, balanced, and gets the care they need and deserve.
As stated on their website, their “mission is to enrich your dog’s existence with tailor-made activities, injecting each day with heightened excitement.” This commitment to personalized care extends to every aspect of their services. From meticulously designed grooming experiences to tranquil boarding accommodations ensuring a restful stay, Central Bark caters to every dog’s individual needs.
Central Bark is a one-stop shop for anything and everything for dog owners. They offer daycare, sleepovers, training, grooming, parties, specialty toys, and more. The staff at Central Bark are committed to finding toys and enrichment activities that are most beneficial to your dog’s well-being and health.
Impacting the Lives of Dog Owners and Their Relationship with Their Pets
Dogs at Central Bark are enriched through structured activities that promote mental stimulation and physical exercise, ensuring they return home tired, better behaved, and more responsive to training.
Whether a dog is a high-energy breed, in its puppy years, or living in an apartment, it requires an outlet for its energy instead of being cooped up all day while the owner is at work. For many dog owners, Central Bark serves as a crucial support system.
“We do so much more than socialization and exercise. We focus on reinforcing positive behaviors which helps with the human bond and relationship when they get home,” explains the founder, “what we do is transformational. I have customers who come to me and say, ‘I can only keep my dog because of Central Bark.’”
Isabela F., who left a 5 star review for Central Bark shared “My dog has been enrolled in Central Bark day care for about a year and a half and my pup loves to go. All the staff is professional and sweet and you can tell they really like the dogs…Miguel is the groomer and he is so good with the dogs… We love Central Bark and recommend it every time!“
Besides the written reviews Central Bark receives, Gaba has families who have returned with their third dog, showing the program’s powerful impact.
Celebrating 20 Years Serving the Community and Their Furry Friends
As Central Bark celebrates its 20th anniversary, the bond between dogs and their owners continues to grow stronger. Families trust Central Bark to provide a nurturing environment where their beloved pets can flourish. Reflecting on the milestone of the 20th anniversary, Gaba says “It’s huge for us. We’re still here after 20 years and we’re on this rocket trajectory that is exciting!”
Wagging into the Future: A Glimpse at What’s to Come
Dogs are becoming increasingly integrated into pet owners’ daily lives as time goes on. There are doggie bakeries, monthly subscriptions for your dog, potty stations at every airport, dog-friendly restaurants, and more. Not only that, but the U.S. now has more households with pets than with children and 44.5% of American households have dogs.
Just two decades ago, doggy daycare was an obscure idea. But today, it’s extremely commonplace. Children of this generation have witnessed their parents sending the family dog to daycare, setting a trend that they are likely to continue when they become pet owners.
The team at Central Bark has paved the way for the future of healthy pets and positive owner relationships by ensuring dogs get their best life. They believe every dog deserves the Central Bark experience, and as they’ve grown and evolved, they’re hopeful to one day see Central Bark all over the country.
Two years ago, Central Bark entered into a partnership with NewSpring Capital, a private equity firm. Through this partnership, Jackie and Chris have adopted new roles. As the equity company goes forward with supporting franchising and the development of new stores, Jackie and Chris can focus on what is new and innovative in the canine industry. They are able to dedicate even more time to enhancing and expanding Central Bark’s offerings.
To learn more about Central Bark-Fort Lauderdale and the services they offer, visit https://www.centralbarkusa.com/fort-lauderdale/ or visit their local brick and mortar location at :
3699 Dixie Hwy
Oakland Park, FL 33334
Ph:(954) 568-3647