Why puppies and dogs play bite? It’s a form of social play for them as well as natural investigative behavior. Most mounting and play biting in puppies and juvenile dogs is normal play behavior.  Completely eliminating this type of behavior is unrealistic. However, modifying it to the appropriate levels and redirecting it to the appropriate outlets is a very important part of training your companion pet.

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Let’s give a big high five to our Central Bark Doggy Day Care’s Philadelphia location for winning the Talk of the Town award in excellence in customer service. There were two categories based on reviews by clients in which four to five stars were required  to qualify.  Central Bark Philly was issued praise in two areas of excellence, which included the Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers categories.

For more information on Central Bark Philadelphia or to enroll your pup in this award winning doggy day care, click here or 866.799.2275.

After the Pooch Pantry that ran out of the Lake County Animal Control Center closed its doors last summer, some pet owners have found themselves without access to food for their dogs and cats.

Since then, Sandy Wisniewski, founder of the Libertyville-based Animal Education & Rescue organization has gotten phone calls from people wanting to donate and those in need of donations.

So, she decided to step in and help.

“I saw there was a real need for [a pet food pantry],” Wisniewski said.

She reached out to her network of animal lovers through Facebook, asking if anyone was interested in housing a new pet food pantry for Lake County residents.

She didn’t have to wait long for her answer.

“Within five minutes, I got a call from Kevin and after that response it all just kind of happened,” Wisniewski said.

“Kevin” is Kevin Bloss of Grayslake.  He and his wife, Laura, own Central Bark Doggy Day Care.

Knowing they had the space in a shed at the dog day care center, they agreed to house Lake County’s new pet food pantry.

The pantry began to service the community at the Central Bark Doggy Day Care on Jan. 4.

Since then, no one has been turned away for lack of donations.

“We have been pretty well-stocked,” Wisniewski said. “It’s been an outpouring of support from the community.”

Donations of unopened cat and dog food (and cat litter) can be dropped off between 6:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at Central Bark Doggy Day Care, 256 Commerce Drive, in Grayslake.

Lake County residents can visit the food pantry from 9 a.m. to noon Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Proof of low income (approval is on a case-by-case basis), number/type of animals in the household and a driver’s license or photo ID is needed to receive donations.

For more information on food pantry assistance, call Sandy Wisniewski at Animal Education and Rescue at 847-816-0831 or visit www.aear.org.

Source: Lake County Journal

New Orleans celebrated the ribbon cutting/grand opening of, the dog park in Lafreniere Park located in Jefferson Parish. The ribbon cutting/grand opening featured dog costume contests, dog demonstrations, adopt-ables from the JSPCA and Central Bark Doggy Day Care Mini Dog Races.  Holly Valenti, owner states, “We had 3 heats, each race had about 5 or 6 dogs in it and then the winners from those 3 heats ran for the grand prize which was a $50 gift certificate to Zea Restaurant. We raised about $85 from the race entry fee and will be putting that toward purchasing another water drinking station for the pooches at the park.”

Holly also stated, “Barkley and Gumbo, the New Orleans Saints NFL Mascot, lead the second line into the dog park after the ribbon was cut. It was a lot of fun!”

For more information on Central Bark New Orleans click here.

Source: Barkley Ventures, Inc. Newsletter

Since a Mundelein-based pet food pantry closed its operations this summer, area residents looking for help feeding their pets or interested in making donations have been asking where to go.

“People are calling me, but where do I tell them to go?” said local pet rescuer Sandy Wisniewski.

Wisniewski, the founder of Libertyville-based Animal Education and Rescue, said she didn’t have an answer — at least not until this week, when the owners of Central Bark Doggy Day Care in Grayslake offered to help.

Central Bark will operate a food pantry at its day care, 256 Commerce Drive, filling the gap left by Pooch Pantry. The Mundelein pantry closed in August after losing its nonprofit status, said Lake County spokeswoman Leslie Piotrowski.

People who donated to the pantry have been taking donations to local animal hospitals instead, said Central Bark co-owner Kevin Bloss, who saw Wisniewski’s Facebook post asking if anyone had space and was willing to replace Pooch Pantry.

“We see a need. We’ve got the space, and there’s no reason why we can’t help,” Bloss said.

For more information, call Central Bark at 847-548-2275 or click here.

Source: Chicago Tribune

Naperville Television 17 has added even more businesses to their business models episode, and one of those businesses is Central Bark Doggy Day Care Oswego.

The episode will feature business owners who will be sharing their business models with the Naperville community, set to air on December 21.

Owner Judi Haft and two of her “fury clients, Toby and Blake,” will be representing Central Bark.

Central Bark is a nationwide business that offers doggy day care services, grooming, professional animal transportation, dog training and more.

For the full article click here.

Make sure you check with your local Central Bark Doggy Day Care location to find out what kind of deals and sales they’ll be offering this Black Friday!

It’s the holidays and dogs deserve a little lovin’ too.  Run to Central Bark and grab them some dog food, dog toys, a new collar, some new treats and a sweater or two!

Don’t forget about your pooch this holiday season…

And don’t forget to sign up for your location’s newsletters!  It’s the best way to find out about grooming specials, doggy boutique sales, events and everything else Central Bark related!

Visit your location page and sign up today!

Pet Fest 2011 took place in Lafreniere Park in Metairie Sunday, November 13.  Central Bark Doggy Day Care New Orleans was at the event representing, and even made the front page of the Jefferson Metro!

The event was held by the Friends of the Jefferson Animal Shelter with the theme: The Pawsuit of Happiness.  The event featured hundreds of adoptable animals, a pet marketplace, a pet health watch area, spay/neuter information, Central Bark’s dachshund and mini-dog races and more!

It was a great day had by all!

Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® has given hope, strength and joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. Today, more than 212,800 children have had their dreams fulfilled through the efforts of volunteers and donors.

For the first time, the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce is helping grant a wish to a child in our community (Jefferson Parish).

On Thursday evening, December 8, from 5:30 to 7:30, and Saturday, December 10th, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., at Central Bark Doggy Daycare in Metairie (New Orleans location), the Chamber is hosting a “Santa Paws” fundraising event.

Everyone is encouraged to bring their families and their pets to take holiday pictures with “Santa Paws.” Refreshments will be served while you are waiting for Santa, and pet experts will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about your pet’s curious behaviors. One hundred percent of the proceeds will go to the local chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana.

Holly Valenti, Owner of Central Bark, says that “it’s a refreshing change to switch gears and help make a child’s wish come true.” Holly often participates in various pet related charity events, but this is the first time she has been involved with Make-A-Wish. “We are happy to be part of this special day and look forward to making it an annual event.”

Eric and Yvonne Miller of MillerFoto will be donating their photo services so you’ll be able to pick up your pictures just minutes after taking them. For a $15 donation, you will receive a 5×7 holiday photo to take home to capture this special day forever.

To ensure the safety of the other pets, all dogs must be on a leash, and cats, rabbits or any other type of pet must be in an enclosed carrier.

The “Santa Paws” event was developed from the idea of pairing with the Make-A-Wish Foundation to help make more wishes come true in Jefferson Parish specifically.

“I believe it is very important for businesses in the community to get involved,” says Jackie Heroman, Development Coordinator, Make-A-Wish Foundation^® of the Texas Gulf Coast and Louisiana. “Because the current average wish cost is approximately $6,000, it takes continuous funding and many other components to help make wishes come true. Community support is one of the biggest ones.”

The Texas Gulf Coast & Louisiana Chapter of the Make-A-Wish Foundation is one of 62 chapters throughout the United States and its territories. The Foundation also includes 36 international affiliates spanning five continents. Since the chapter’s inception in 1984, they have granted over 5,200 wishes.

Wish children are referred to the Foundation by immediate family members, medical professionals or the children themselves. Once Make-A-Wish has been contacted, a medical release form is sent to the child’s primary physician. Upon medical approval, a volunteer team sets up a time to visit with the child to determine the one wish in that child’s heart. Then the wish team makes the necessary arrangements for the wish to come true (average wish cost is $6,000). The goal is to provide a joyful and meaningful experience that gives the immediate family time together away from medical treatments & medical bills.

Central Bark Doggy Daycare’s New Orleans location is located at 1604 Justin Rd., Metairie, La. It is in the Labarre Business Park at the intersection of Airline Hwy. and Labarre Rd. (behind McDonald’s).

For more information please visit www.jeffersonchamber.org or call (504) 835-3880. For questions about the Make-A-Wish Foundation please call 504-846-9474 or visit texgulf.wish.org.  For more information on this event, or other Central Bark New Orleans events call 504-832-9247.

Source: Jefferson Chamber

In today’s economy, it seems like we’re paying more and more for basic necessities. Whether it’s a trip to the doctor for you or surgery for your furry companion, healthcare costs are on the rise.

The American Pet Products Association says the average dog owners will spend $655 on routine visits and surgery this year.  That’s up about 50 percent from a decade ago.

The cost cited above doesn’t include dog boarding, toys, grooming, vitamins or any other counter medicines.

Overall, the pet industry takes in over $50 billion a year.  While the human healthcare industry is significantly larger, the increase in pet care costs over the past decade is similar on a percentage basis.