The Barkshire Difference
The BEST dog daycare and boarding facility in the Metro Detroit Area. We are locally and independently owned and operated. The Barkshire, was founded in 2011 by Rita Dunker. When Rita retired in 2020, long time clients of The Barkshire, Melody Bryant and Craig Bush, took over as the business owners. They had always loved the business and the staff at The Barkshire and now enjoy hearing from our amazing clients (both human and canine!) who feel the same way.
Your dog can have fun with us while also burning off energy playing and learning important lifelong socialization skills. Your Dog is important to us, and their overall health, safety, and well-being are our top priorities. We genuinely care about the pet parents, and we work hard to deliver exceptional customer service at every turn. We want to create a purposeful, engaging, encouraging, and fulfilling work environment because we care about our staff as well. When it comes to your dog we are accommodating to our clients’ needs, wants, and worries when you can’t be with your dog.
Safety And Well-Being Of All Dogs
Our building is 11,000 square feet of open, airy space with high ceilings which you can see from the lobby. We have three large and separate indoor play yards with impact resistant rubber flooring. We also have over 15,000 square feet (one of the largest in the Metro Detroit area) of fenced outdoor space with antimicrobial artificial turf where (weather permitting) dogs have scheduled group play time with the agility equipment and during the warmer months can play in our splash pools. Our small dog area is all day group play with a living room set up for our tiny fur friends.
The Barkshire prioritizes the safety and well-being of all dogs, which is why our knowledgeable team follows stringent cleaning guidelines to create a clean and safe atmosphere. If there is a dog that does not meet our temperament guidelines, we will recommend another option that may be a better fit. Your dog will learn to socialize with other dogs as well as people. We give every dog the individual time and attention that he/she needs to create the most socially focused experience possible. Our team is well-versed in animal breeds and behavior, canine first aid, and CPR. If you prefer additional stimulation or one-on-one time with one of our staff we offer enrichment activities and outdoor walks.
We are grateful for the chance to serve our customers. We understand that entrusting your four-legged family member with our care is a significant matter. We have a high staff to dog ratio, in-depth training which includes both on-the-job and online classes, and an exceptionally clean facility to make your pup feel at home.