Central Bark Sussex

I’ve been taking my dogs to Central Bark for almost three years now and it’s honestly been an amazing experience. I don’t use them for boarding, but I bring my dogs in regularly for grooming and they always do a great job.

Peter, the manager, is awesome to work with. He’s super accommodating and always finds a way to get my dogs scheduled. We’ve got them on a routine now which makes everything really easy.

Alyssa does a phenomenal job with both of my dogs, a Labradoodle and an Australian Shepherd. My Aussie can be pretty anxious,, so I was a little worried at first, but they’ve handled him incredibly well. They’re patient, know what they’re doing, and you can tell they actually care about the dogs.

I’ve never had a bad experience here. The whole team is great and always quick to respond if I have any questions.

Really appreciate Peter, Alyssa, and the entire staff.

They do a great job on my big ass border collie. They have great patents with him.

The staff is always nice & patient with my dogs. I've been taking them there for grooming, not boarding or daycare. They have really good consistent grooming staff.

I can't thank Central Bark Sussex enough for taking care of my dog. I boarded her last week and they did an amazing job. All the employees treated her like family and she enjoyed every second. I would definitely recommend all of their services. Thank you again!

My pup loves Central Bark!! The staff are caring, professional, and truly love the dogs. Cooper comes home happy and tired every time, which says everything.

I have been a longtime customer of Central Bark Sussex, and it is incredibly upsetting to even have to write this review. For years, this place was truly something special. The staff and previous management were remarkable. They were knowledgeable, consistent, and genuinely cared about every dog that walked through the doors. It was a place I trusted completely and proudly recommended to friends, family, and other dog owners.

Since the ownership and management change, the difference has been heartbreaking. The overall quality, organization, and communication have declined significantly. Phone calls frequently go unanswered, and follow ups are inconsistent, which is frustrating and concerning when you regularly use these services and rely on clear communication.

The grooming department has been especially disappointing. Despite having one of the best groomers in Lake Country, the grooming phone line is rarely monitored. As someone who uses grooming services regularly, it has become far more difficult to schedule or get responses than it ever was before.

The shuttle service has also become a recurring issue. There have been multiple instances of late pick ups, no call no shows, and little to no communication when something goes wrong. This has been especially stressful for customers who depend on the shuttle as part of their routine.

What worries me most is the manager's lack of knowledge when it comes to dog behavior and the pet care field. There have been odd and uncomfortable comments made directly to owners about their dogs that reflect a misunderstanding of normal canine behavior. I have also spoken with another dog owner who shared concerns about their anxious dog whose discomfort around men was clearly communicated ahead of time, yet those boundaries were not respected. Instead of adjusting handling or giving the dog space, the situation escalated when the manager continued to push interactions that visibly made the dog uncomfortable. Hearing situations like this only adds to the lack of confidence many of us are starting to feel. As a pet parent, this is extremely unsettling.

It is also concerning that the owner appears largely absent and lacks basic people skills when interacting with customers. From what I have observed, there seems to be little accountability or involvement, and it feels as though the current state of operations is being accepted rather than addressed. This only adds to the frustration, as it appears the way the manager runs things is fully supported.

After talking with many other customers who also use daycare, grooming, and shuttle services, it is clear this is not an isolated experience. I have heard the same frustrations and concerns shared repeatedly, which makes this situation even more upsetting.

Central Bark Sussex used to be somewhere I trusted without hesitation. Sadly, it no longer feels like the place it once was.

My dog pretzel loves this place expecially when her doxin friends are there.

Super sweet and knowledgeable staff. Took great care of our pup, Woody

Amazing service and staff, love the selection in their retail too!

Absolutely love Central Bark. The staff are so friendly and my little pup just loves going there.