The Bark Yard in
South Portland (ME)

My dog Scotty and I love The Bark Yard, the staff is well trained, helpful and friendly. The facility is clean and they provide a safe environment. My dog loves it there so much, that he’s never in a rush to leave.

We can’t say enough great things about The Bark Yard. Our puppy, Piper, started attending when she was just 12 weeks old in Puppy Preschool, and the foundation she got there has been incredible. She learned all the basics (sit, stay, come, loose leash walking, polite greetings, etc.) and, just as importantly, got thoughtful, positive socialization with other puppies during such a critical stage. Now that she’s in the adult “straight daycare” program, she still absolutely loves going. She gets VERY excited the moment we pull into the parking lot, which says everything about how positive her experience has been. It’s such a relief to know she’s somewhere she feels happy, safe, and understood. What really sets The Bark Yard apart is how intentionally everything is run—especially compared to many other daycares that simply put big groups of dogs together for nonstop play all day. The Bark Yard staff truly understand dog behavior and needs. They are completely force-free and fear-free, and all dogs get regular breaks in their own cabins to rest and reset between play sessions, rather than being overstimulated all day. When Piper is playing, it’s always with size- and play-appropriate playmates, which keeps interactions safe, positive, and well matched. If you’re looking for a place that genuinely understands dogs and supports them through every stage of life, The Bark Yard is THE BEST. We’re so grateful to have found them.

Our pup Honey had her evaluation today and I am so glad they take the time to read each dogs behavior/body language and let us know what they think would be best for her! Seems like a safe place with very knowledgeable folks working there! She of course stopped and got a toy on the way home!

Our puppy Mustard, has been going to The Bark Yard since we adopted him to help with socialization and training. He goes at least once a week if not more and as soon as we pull into the parking lot he’s yanking me to get inside faster! It’s so comforting getting there and all the staff know Mustard and love on him ? They have helped him in basic training and now we’ve switched over to recall training which he is doing so well in! We LOVE the Bark Yard and all of our future dogs will go there!! ❤️

The Bark Yard has been such a great place for us to send our pups. They even helped and took care of our "too large and difficult" hound dog when no one else knew what to do with him. We've since brought our new dog there and he enjoys going and bounces off walls to get in with his friends. I always know my boy is being well cared for, played with and nurtured while he's there!! They have accommodated last minute needs with ease and take great weekend or week long care of our boy when we aren't home!! Highly recommend for daycare/boarding, its safe, clean, kindest of employees, knowledgeable and caring!! 10/10!

Took my dog here for a year. After having him attend an alternate daycare (Roscoes) I was extremely worried. The previous daycare had amazing reviews yet he had gotten sick 3x in 2 months and was full of anxiety and smelly when I picked him up. Switched to the Bark Yard and was immediately impressed. They always kept me up to date with how he was doing and if he didn’t eat his food. They gave him the option of individual play where he was able to spend the entire time with humans rather than dogs. Not once did I have to take him to the vet for a daycare related sickness while attending the Bark Yard. This place is very pricy however it’s still cheaper than constantly taking your dog to the vet for getting sick from a cheaper daycare. Extremely sad we can’t attend anymore as we have moved out of the state. If you’re in between daycare options this one is by far the best.

I can’t say enough good things about this daycare! As a protective dog mom, I was really nervous about leaving my rescue pup, Zoe, but after a lot of research, this was the perfect place. I love that they focus on small group play and carefully match dogs based on size and energy levels. It’s not just throwing them in a room and saying, “Good luck, pups!”—they truly understand dog play, making sure it’s safe, structured, and balanced with breaks in between. They also keep things exciting with add-on activities like agility and sniff rooms, keeping Zoe mentally and physically engaged. What also really sets them apart is how well they get to know each dog as an individual. The staff is always so kind, and it’s clear they truly love what they do. I’ve also done training with them, which was a huge help—not just for Zoe but really for me. It had been a long time since I had a puppy, and their guidance made all the difference. I feel completely safe leaving Zoe here, and she absolutely loves it. If you’re looking for a daycare where your dog will be loved, understood, and well cared for, this is the place.

Very impressed with the level of service and care. We have two reactive/fearful dogs. The owner and staff are incredibly patient and supportive. They put the safety and well-being of the dogs first. The staff are also always very positive. The owner, Britt, is very communicative and helpful with scheduling. Appreciate the report cards.

Harley's been with TBY for about 7 months now and he absolutely loves it! His butt goes into overdrive when we arrive, he can hardly contain his joy!! Staff members are always helpful to pawrents and shower our pups with so much love & attention! Harley gets a variety of stimulation, not just hanging out with other dogs. From sniffaris to loose leash walks, bark boards to pupcicles, and ball pits to agility training Harley gets to try everything!!

We are so grateful for the fantastic care and attention to detail that The Bark Yard has given all of our three huge pups! We receive detailed daily summaries of each experience and feel very comfortable with the quality and thoughtful care provided. Highly recommend!

We have been taking our 6 year old GSD, Mila, to The Bark Yard since the beginning of this year and are so beyond happy with our experience! Since Mila had never been to daycare before and typically prefers to be pretty lazy, TBY was more than accommodating. Mila started out in TBY’s Hybrid Daycare Program where Britt and her amazing staff allowed Mila the ability to ease into the environment, larger play groups, and the overall daycare experience. TBY plays close attention to how Mila plays and transitioned her into Full Daycare when she was ready. There was one day where there was a small incident in play group and Quinn, one of Mila’s favorite counselors, made sure to send the kindest and most informative email just to let us know about the minor incident, ensure us all was okay, and to just give us a peace of mind. Recently, we needed help with Mila since we were traveling and Britt was beyond helpful in the planning of our departure. Also, Britt was so willing to assist with the scheduling of upcoming boarding for Mila. Mila gets is so happy when we ask her “do you want to go to daycare??” and starts getting so excited in the car when she realizes that she is almost there. A 5 star review will never be enough credit for TBY! We are so lucky to have TBY and their amazing workers in our pup’s lives!

I’m so impressed with the progress Hercules has seen since we started working with Mike in February. Mike has been extremely patient with Herc’s dog reactivity— before training Herc would attack dogs and we couldn’t take him on walks. Now, Herc can greet dogs nicely and walks away from dogs who bark or lunge at him. He no longer pulls on walks, his anxiety has decreased so much that we can now leave him home alone, and he’s no longer having accidents in the house!! We have worked with other dog trainers for his issues in the past but Mike’s positive reinforcement training methods have worked so well, we see more and more progress after EVERY session and we are SO grateful!!!

I've been bringing my Pup lanie here for almost a year now. She's boarded a few times and is in solo dog daycare a few times a month. I've had my Lanie for 10.5 years and have tried 4 other daycares over the years and Bark Yard is HANDS DOWN the best one I know of. I've never trusted another place as much as I trust this place. The level of care and attention is very high. There are tons of different options for activities, treats, and training. I really appreciate the report cards... especially during boarding it's so nice to get regular updates! The last daycare/boarding place Lanie was going downhill fast and I'm so glad I was able to find the Bark Yard. One thing I noticed when I switched is Lanie no longer gets friction burn on her paws. I think it was the rubber matting at the old place she went to, but whatever type of flooring at the Bark Yard doesn't give her these burns!

What a fantastic place!!! Rummi absolutely loves her time at Bark Yard (the photo shows her longingly wishing today was a BY day!). Britt, Alli and the rest of the crew have created a safe, fun and educational environment for dogs of all sorts and sizes. The building is adorable and super clean. They have numerous add ons that can add extra interest to your dog’s day and they post cute photos of your dog’s playtime on social media. We truly appreciate everyone at the Bark Yard and are thrilled to have found them.

We absolutely love the Bark Yard! The space is clean, the staff is kind and professional, and it is obvious that they absolutely love our girl! So happy to have found dog daycare for our eight month old bull mastiff, conveniently located in South Portland.

Where do I even start?!? The Bark Yard is an amazing doggy daycare that takes a lot of proud in what they do and why they are there! They love our dogs more than I can even explain and have always been available for a last minute change to our schedule…. Brit knows how to run an amazing doggy daycare and we couldn’t be more proud to have Nela be a part of their family ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

The Bark Yard is an amazing place. The staff are all extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and very welcoming to us and our rescue pup Todo. Like many shelter dogs, he is having a tough time transitioning to “normal doggie life” and the staff are committed to helping him. They take the time to get to know each and every dog in their Bark Yard “family” and love them like their own! We are so grateful we found the Bark Yard!

I adore this place and all the lovely humans within! My boy Indy has gone to many daycares the past 5yrs due to traveling. He has also been rejected from some daycares due to him not fitting in the “happy-go-lucky loves everything and everyone” standard. A lot of places we have checked out have groups of 20-30+ dogs with limited counselors. We cannot expect all different dogs to be able to coexist the same way in an overstimulating group of that size. The Bark Yard works harder and smarter! They have smaller groups where Britt and her team are able to cater to each individual dogs needs/personalities. They are very inviting, communicative and adaptable to both clients and their pets. They make me and Indy feel safe! It’s important to trust in those you are leaving your furbabies with. Highly recommend!!

I cannot express how grateful I am to have found this doggy daycare for my two Yorkies! From the moment we walked in, it was evident that this place is more than just a daycare – it’s a second home for our furry family members. The staff’s genuine love for dogs is heartwarming, and it reflects in the care they provide. My Yorkies are always excited to go, wagging their tails as soon as we approach the door. The facility is clean, well-maintained, and designed with the comfort and safety of the dogs in mind. The indoor and outdoor play areas allow for plenty of exercise and socialization. I appreciate the transparency and updates provided throughout the day, giving me peace of mind. Highly recommend!!!

We are so thankful to have found The Bark Yard! They offer small play groups, which is perfect for our guy who can get over stimulated in larger groups. They make a huge effort to pair him with dogs who share a similar play style, and give him breaks in between play sessions. It’s the perfect balance for him, and he always comes home tired after a fun filled day. The staff are all wonderful, and make us feel so comfortable dropping him off because you can tell they really care about him and the work they do. We love TBY!!

Our Edie has been to the Bark Yard for daycare and boarding. They are amazing! Everyone there is so friendly and takes such great care of our pup. They take the time to get to know your dog and provide them with the care and love they need. They go above and beyond to offer things that set them apart from all others. When I asked Britt how she remembered the names of all of the dogs her reply was, “They’re my friends!” Highly recommend them!

Barry loves his time at the Bark Yard, they really do go above and beyond for my pup. Barry likes to have his personal space sometimes, and we used to Bring him to another doggie daycare but they didn’t seem to care about Barry’s needs as much as the staff at the Bark Yard does. Not everyone can have a dog that is great with every other dog on the planet and bringing Barry here makes us happy to know he can play with dogs at his own pace.

I’ve been hesitant to bring my dog to daycare in the 3.5 years that I’ve had her. After having heard so many horror stories about large groups of dogs together, as well as knowing many folks whose pups had been kicked out from one daycare or another, I knew that my shy, slow to warm up to strangers, husky mix would be miserable in a daycare. But my boI knew my dog needed more stimulation and exercise than we were able to offer her during the day. After months of careful consideration, I decided to take a chance on The Bark Yard. I liked that they offered different programs based on individual dogs’ needs and smaller, fully supervised playgroups. I was NOT disappointed. From day one, Britt & her staff have been incredibly kind, patient, and accommodating for my dog and I feel at ease dropping her off in the mornings. She has so much fun while she’s there and she sleeps like a rock when she comes home. We’re so incredibly grateful to Britt for giving our shy girl a chance, and for providing an environment in which she is not only comfortable, but thrives. The photo updates I get while she’s there have really put my anxious dog mom mind at peace. We love The Bark Yard!

The Bark Yard is an absolute gem- it's almost hard to find the words to properly sing its praises. When we moved to Portland, I was so nervous about finding a new daycare for our anxious dog. She can be overstimulated by too many dogs, or dogs with a different play style, and it takes her a minute to be comfortable with new people. Some dogs you can throw in any situation, and they're happy as a clam- Leila just isn't that! Enter the Bark Yard- a daycare my dog loves so much that she literally squeaks in the car from excitement when we pull up. Can you get a better endorsement than that? They treat her like absolute royalty, from inventive enrichment games to snuggles in the back office. The playgroups are small and thoughtfully organized, and I completely trust that the staff is paying attention and managing the group to make sure that everyone gets the playtime and breaks that they need. I feel totally confident leaving her there- whether it's daycare or boarding. I can't recommend it highly enough. If you're looking for somewhere your pup will be safe, loved, and totally tired out- the Bark Yard is the place.

Raising a young male rescue boxer has not always been a cakewalk. I’m thrilled to say that we’ve been enrolled in daycare and boarding since The BarkYard opened in South Portland, and this place has really exceeded my expectations. Britt and her staff work with individual dogs’ behaviors, personalities, and preferences. My dog, who is “dog selective,” has been given the chance to enjoy successful (supervised) play with other dogs, and now he even has favorite friends! He LOVES going to The Bark Yard, where he continues to gain skills and confidence, thanks to the excellent team of staff members and trainers.

We have been taking our English bull terrier here for a couple months now and could not be happier. She gets so excited when she sees where we are. The staff are all kind, patient, caring, fun and knowledgeable. You can see they treat all the dogs like their own and love what they’re doing. So thankful we have a place like this for our furry friends!

Two of my dogs stayed at The Bark Yard this weekend and I cannot recommend them enough. They kept me updated any time I would check in, gave them proper play/enrichment time and treated them as their own. Best of all they are strictly fear/force free and only use positive reinforcement in their training sessions. We do not leave our dogs often but knowing that I can really trust their staff it made it so much easier for us to enjoy our weekend getaway. Thank you so much to The Bark Yard!