Creating The Best Experience For Your Dog
Our Care & Playgroup Assessment helps us understand your dog’s unique needs so we can recommend the right accommodations, activities, and care experience for a comfortable and successful stay.
Understanding Your DOG
We take the time to learn about your dog's personality, comfort level, activity preferences, and individual needs.
PERSONALIZED Recommendations
Every dog is different. Our assessment helps us recommend the services, accommodations, and experiences that may be the best fit.
COMFORT & SAFETY ALWAYS FIRST
Thoughtful introductions and careful observation help us create positive experiences while minimizing stress.
DESIGNED FOR LONG-TERM SUCCESS
Our goal is to help every dog feel comfortable, confident, and successful during every visit to BARK U.
WHY WE DO IT
Why Dogs Complete an Assessment
Every dog is different. Some dogs love active playgroups, while others prefer a quieter pace, individualized enrichment, or private care. Our Care & Playgroup Assessment allows us to learn about your dog’s personality, comfort level, activity preferences, and social style so we can recommend the experience that best fits their needs.
The assessment helps us determine:
Daycare Recommendations
Lodging Accommodations and Suite Types
Playgroup Compatibility
Enrichment Opportunities
Private Care Options
Individualized Care Recommendations
What to Expect During Your Assessment
Our goal is simple: help your dog feel safe, comfortable, and successful from day one.
Meet & Greet
You’ll meet with one of our trained team members so we can begin getting to know your dog’s personality, comfort level, activity preferences, and individual needs.
Guided Introductions
We will gradually introduce your dog to the environment and observe their comfort level, confidence, and responses to new experiences.
Explore & Observe
Care & Playgroup Assessments typically take about 30 minutes. If you’ve scheduled a tour, we’ll be happy to show you around the facility while your dog becomes familiar with their new surroundings.
Review Next Steps
After the assessment, we’ll review our observations with you and discuss recommendations designed to help your dog feel comfortable, confident, and successful at BARK U.
ASSESSMENT OPTIONS
Every new dog over 5 months interested in daycare or lodging begins with an assessment designed to help us understand their personality, play style, and unique needs.
Standard Care & Playgroup Assessment
$35
Designed to help us get to know your dog’s personality, comfort level, and individual needs. This 30-minute assessment allows our team to recommend the services, accommodations, and experiences best suited for your dog.
Schedule in advance through our customer portal.
Priority Care & Playgroup Assessment
$55
Designed for dogs who need same-day or expedited scheduling. If you’re leaving for an unexpected trip, need boarding tonight, or would like to start daycare immediately, choose this option for the fastest way to get started.
Need to get started immediately? Schedule through the portal or call us.
Puppies Learn Differently
Because young puppies are still developing socially, emotionally, and physically, we’ve designed our puppy services around their unique needs. Our Puppy Daycare, Puppy Lodging, and Puppy Start Right programs are specifically designed to support young dogs during this critical stage of development.
With experienced handlers, age-appropriate interactions, and a focus on positive experiences, we’re able to help puppies build confidence, develop important social skills, and thrive without requiring a formal assessment process.
Check out our puppy-specific programs
COME SEE WHERE YOUR PUPPY WILL THRIVE
Have a puppy under five months? Tour our facility, meet our team, explore our puppy programs, and get answers to all your questions—so you can feel completely confident about where your puppy will learn, play, and grow.
Have Questions?
CARE & PLAYGROUP ASSESSMENT FAQs
How long does the assessment take?
Care & Playgroup Assessments typically take about 30 minutes.
During this time, our team will get to know your dog’s personality, comfort level, and play style while helping introduce them to the BARK U environment in a safe, structured setting. Following the assessment, we will review our observations with you and discuss the best next steps and service recommendations for your dog.
If you scheduled a tour, one of our team members will be happy to show you around the facility during your dog’s assessment so you can experience the BARK U environment firsthand.
What if my dog does not do well with other dogs?
Every dog is different, and not all dogs are comfortable in a group play environment — and that’s okay.
Our Care & Playgroup Assessment helps us better understand your dog’s comfort level, social style, and individual needs so we can recommend the safest and most appropriate experience for them.
For dogs who may not enjoy group play, we offer Private Care options with individualized attention, one-on-one interaction, and dedicated care from our team members in a safe, structured environment.
During your dog’s assessment, our team will discuss any recommendations with you to help determine the best fit for your dog’s comfort and success at BARK U.
What happens if my dog "fails" the assessment?
Our Care & Playgroup Assessment is not designed to be a pass or fail test. Every dog is different, and some dogs may be more comfortable in certain environments or care styles than others.
If we feel group play may not be the best fit for your dog, our team will discuss our observations with you and help recommend the safest and most appropriate options moving forward.
In some cases, we may suggest alternative care options, such as Private Care, to help ensure your dog remains comfortable, safe, and well cared for while at BARK U.
Is the assessment deposit refundable?
Yes. Care & Playgroup Assessment fees are refundable when you cancel at least 24 hours before your scheduled appointment. Fees are non-refundable for cancellations made within 24 hours or for missed appointments.
Assessment fees do not apply toward daycare or lodging services.
Are all dogs required to have an assessment?
No. Dogs five months of age and older are required to complete a Care & Playgroup Assessment before participating in daycare or boarding. This assessment helps us ensure they’re comfortable in a group setting and allows us to place them in the most appropriate playgroup for a safe, positive experience.
Puppies under five months old are not required to have an assessment. Instead, we invite their families to attend our Facility Tour—a guided introduction to BARK U where you’ll explore our facility, meet our team, and learn how we support puppies during their early months of development. It’s a great opportunity to ask questions, get to know us, and prepare for your puppy’s future adventures at BARK U.
Can I tour BARK U before scheduling an assessment?
Absolutely! A facility tour is a great way to get to know BARK U and see firsthand where your puppy can learn, play, and grow. You’ll explore our facility, meet our team, learn about our puppy services, and have the opportunity to ask questions about what to expect as your puppy grows.
For new puppy parents, it’s an easy way to learn more about BARK U and feel confident choosing the right care and experiences for your puppy from the very beginning. Tours are for humans only, so your puppy can relax at home while you explore everything BARK U has to offer.
