Your Questions, Answered

General

  • We currently offer dog daycare, boarding, and board and train. We are fully licensed in Massachusetts via the town of Saugus. We have been inspected and comply with all facets of Ollie’s law; ensuring your pup will be safe and well cared-for with us. 

    Please note that boarding is only available to existing daycare clients. We require your dog to attend daycare at least twice a month prior to boarding. This allows us to remain in a position to understand your dog’s behavioral needs, and ensure that they will be able to safely board with us.  

  • We are owned and managed by multi-credentialed dog trainers who only use reinforcement-based methods backed by science. We will never intentionally hurt or scare your dog in the name of play management or training. We offer a far lower human:dog ratio than the standard daycare model, and we implement both play and structure throughout the day.

  • Veterinary Requirements: Your dog must be current and up to date on the following vaccinations: Rabies, Distemper, and Kennel Cough. We also require a negative fecal test prior to attendance, and yearly after that. You will need to provide the vaccination and fecal exam records from your veterinarian. Please note that the records must show expiration dates for all vaccines. Your dog must have the physical rabies tag attached to their collar while at The Bark Lab per MA state law.

    Town Licensure: Your dog must be licensed and registered in your town or city, and you will need to provide a copy of the town license. Per MA state law, your dog must have the physical license tag attached to their collar while at The Bark Lab.

  • Unfortunately, we cannot allow you to tour our facility in-person, but we post and provide plenty of pictures and virtual tours of our facility so that you can see where your dog will be staying and playing. This is for the safety of all our dogs - strangers walking through the space can be disruptive and worrisome for many of our guests. If you have a question or want to see a photo or video of our facility - please ask! We are an open book.

  • Getting started is simple. Reach out through our contact form or schedule a call—we’ll walk you through the next steps and answer any questions along the way.

  • Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We will never prioritize profit over the wellbeing of a dog, and we will always communicate honestly with you about your dog’s behavior and experiences while in our care.

  • You can reach us anytime via our contact page or email. We aim to respond quickly—usually within one business day.

Daycare

  • Our daycare hours are from 6:30AM - 7PM, Monday - Friday. 

    Drop off: 6:30 - 9:00 AM
    Half day pickup: 12:00 - 1:00 PM 
    Full day pickup: 4:00 - 7:00 PM

  • The initial daycare evaluation is $30. Subsequently, half-day daycare is $45 and full-day daycare is $63. We also have bundles of 5 and 10 daycare days for full-day attendees that are discounted at 5% and 10%, respectively. Boarding is $150/calendar day with a 50% surcharge on holidays.

  • If you have extenuating circumstances and need daycare on the weekend, please reach out to us directly. In many cases we will be able to work with you and accommodate these requests. However, this is not guaranteed and is based on space and staffing availability. 

  • We understand that veterinary science around spaying/neutering is evolving, especially for large-breed dogs, and we aim to make daycare as accessible as responsibly possible. As such, while we do allow intact dogs to attend daycare on a case-by-case basis, we never allow intact males and females to attend on the same day. Priority is given to the first reservation, and if you try to make a reservation for an intact dog of the other sex, you will be placed on a waitlist. Female dogs in heat are never allowed at daycare and require veterinary clearance to return.

  • If you are running late or need to pick up your dog later than 7PM for any reason, please reach out to us in advance. A $25 late fee will be applied for pickup after 7PM with no advanced notice. This fee will also be applied to your bill in cases of repeated late pickups.

  • Yes, reservations are required for all daycare and boarding stays. Reservations can be made through our software, Paw Partner.

  • We offer 1:1 neighborhood walks and 1:1 training sessions as add-ons to daycare. You can book these directly in Paw Partner as availability allows.

Boarding

  • Food: Please pack your dog’s food to maintain dietary consistency. Switching your dog’s diet suddenly can cause stomach upset, vomiting, and diarrhea. We always recommend packing a few extra days worth of food in case of travel emergency/delay.

    Treats: We have plenty of treats at The Bark Lab, but if your dog has any dietary restrictions, please pack labeled treats.

    Medication: If your dog has any daily medication, as-needed medication, or preventatives due during their stay, please pack these (along with a few days extra in case of travel delay/emergency). Please note all medications must be current/not expired and be in the original bottle, with a clearly printed label. 

    Bedding: If you would like your dog to have access to soft bedding in their kennel (blankets, bed, etc.), please pack this for them. Due to the risk of shredding/ingestion of foreign materials, we only allow soft bedding in kennels when explicitly provided by a dog’s guardians. We wash dogs’ bedding regularly, so please make sure that your bedding is machine-washable. We are not responsible for any destruction.

    Other Items: We encourage you to bring anything that will make your dog feel more comfortable during their stay with us. For instance, you might want to pack a special toy, chew, or t-shirt with your scent on it.

  • Boarding is $150/calendar day. This rate is all-inclusive of daycare and boarding services because we believe your dog deserves a premium, stress-free vacation without any hidden fees. Unlike traditional kennels that upcharge for every extra service, our pricing covers the following:

    • All-Day Daycare Included: Your dog stays active and engaged with full-day daycare instead of sitting in a kennel.

    • Zero Hidden Fees: Medication administration, extra potty breaks, special calming attention, and Kong treats are all provided at no additional cost. 

    • Premium Staffing: We maintain a significantly smaller dog-to-human ratio than industry standards. Our handlers are highly trained professionals who earn a living wage, who want to be here, and who genuinely care for your dog and  ensure your dog is safe and cared for at all times. 

    • Day-Of-Pickup Daycare: Enjoy a full day of daycare on your pickup day so your dog goes home happy, tired, and ready to relax.

    • Peace of Mind: Continuous care monitoring and regular updates with photos are included, keeping you connected during their stay.

    You are paying for a premium standard of care where your dog is treated like family by experts who know exactly how to keep them safe, healthy, and happy.

  • Holiday prices are $225/calendar day and include all the same amenities as boarding during other times of year. The holiday surcharge allows us to pay our staff fairly while they are skipping family time to care for your pets!

    For a full list of dates that are charged at holiday rates, please refer to Paw Partner.

  • If your dog gets sick or injured during their stay with us, we will always call you and keep you updated. If we are unable to reach you, we will act in the best interest of your dog per the preferences that you laid out in your intake form. We are equipped and able to handle most minor injuries and illnesses on site. However, if it is determined that your dog requires emergent veterinary care, they will be taken to the closest veterinary urgent care or emergency hospital accordingly. In the event that this happens, we will keep you updated throughout the whole process. Please note that all veterinary fees will be applied to your account at the time of pickup. 

  • Our facility is staffed 24/7 - yes, that includes overnight! - so that you can rest easy knowing your dog always has a human nearby.

  • Yes, reservations are required for all daycare and boarding stays. Reservations can be made through our software, Paw Partner. Please note that we only board 15 dogs at a time, so make sure to book your dog’s stay well in advance.

  • We offer 1:1 neighborhood walks and 1:1 training sessions as add-ons to daycare. These are the only services that carry an additional fee, and they can help provide additional enrichment/facility breaks for longer stays. You can book these directly in Paw Partner.