I had the opportunity to visit Bark and Play today. Having experience with dog walkers as well as doggy day cares....this is the blue ribbon, first place, in all categories. The most apparent and transparent reasons are the owner (s) and staff on-site, addressing the dogs, (and there were a great number of them) by name, as they would a member of their family. Having been at large five star facilities as well as smaller, highly rated neighborhood, mom and pop, I haven't experienced/witnessed this most basic common sense...the dogs come first, and each one as an individual dog. It is as good as pre-school....the teacher knows your "child's" name, whether they have a sniffle, or weren't their usual personality. Plus?!?! Pick up and drop off!?!! Kudos to devoted owners who love what they do, and it shows. read more

This place is fantastic!!! Fernando and his team treat Penny as though she is their own. Their pick up and drop offs are always reliable. The facility is clean. She hears them walking down the hall and races to the door before they even arrive. She loves it there. Their rates are reasonable but the love and care for my dog they provide is unmatched. I can not recommend them enough. read more

I love bark and play! They are great with Graham and he loves going! Fernando is always good with boarding. They are on time and very reliable! I would recommend them to any of my friends, and I have. read more

Absolutely love this place! My boyfriend originally found Bark & Play when our daycare at the time shut down for a few days because of the dog flu. We haven't looked back since! Unlike some of the bigger places, Fernando and his team treat our dog Ace like their own and play with him instead of just watch over him. Whenever we drop Ace off, he's so excited and completely forgets we even exist. I also like the fact that they give the dogs enough time to be both inside and outside and don't segment the dogs based on their size. You know this is the perfect daycare because our Ace has so much energy so whenever he gets home, he's completely exhausted. I would hands down recommend this daycare for your pup if you want a more hands on and loving experience!!! read more

Best decision we made with our new pup! Easy to set up daycare with them - the owner Fernando will come to your house to meet your puppy and make sure he answers all of your questions. His service is great as they pick up and drop off your dog at the exact same time each day, and allow them to run around with their buddies all day. Very responsive and very affordable. Can easily text or email Fernando whenever needed. Would recommend to any new dog owners! read more

Bark and Play was the perfect daycare for my energetic dog! I had an incident with a different daycare and knew my dog was not getting the attention he needed because the playgroups were so large and he was sitting in a crate for most of the day. I came across Bark and Play (via Yelp) and called Fernando, he understood the problem and was ready and available to add my dog to his day care program. After I contacted Fernando, he came over within the week to pick up keys and meet him. Since starting daycare, he has been so much better-huge improvement when interacting with other dogs! Fernando is available all the time if I needed to switch days, and I didn't have to worry about rushing to the daycare to pick him up. Bark and Play does a GREAT job! Plus you can see your pup on Instagram and Facebook which is always a huge plus! read more

What can I say about Fernando and his team other than they provide fantastic care. They treat my dog like she is one of their family and give me great piece of mind. She is always excited to see them and comes home pleasantly exhausted. I also really enjoy following their social media activity and seeing pics of her having fun pop up throughout my day. They are truly full-service and I would gladly recommend them! read more

Bark and play Chicago is the best! We first met Fernando in January of this year when we decided to start sending our 6 month old puppy Rory to daycare. We unfortunately work pretty long days and once a day dog walker just wasn't cutting it. We felt guilty for leaving him, he slept all day and had so much pent up energy at night. Fernando came to our house to meet Rory and they also let me stop by and see the daycare. We were definitely nervous at first because he is a very small dog and was very timid and shy around other dogs. But now we are totally hooked! Starting daycare at bark and play has been the greatest thing for Rory! He now goes five days/week and loves it. He gets so excited everyday when Fernando picks him up and he is exhausted when he comes home. Also, he has made so much progress in terms of socialization and is great around all other dogs now. The pick up and drop off service is amazing, he is gone from 10-3 everyday which is perfect for us! We have also boarded Rory with bark and play for several long weekends and even a 10 day vacation. He gets to go to daycare all day and then stay with Fernando at night. They take such good care of him and I don't have to worry at all. The best thing about bark and play and Fernando is how much they really seem to love and care about Rory. When we are out of town I get text messages and updates with pictures and cute notes. When he got neutered and missed daycare for a week, Fernando texted me several times just to check in and make sure he was doing ok. I love being able to check facebook and instagram everyday for new pictures of him. We love Bark and Play and more importantly so does Rory!!! read more

Bark and Play is seriously a life saver. They pick Walter up after we go to work and drop him off before we get home. Best part is that Walter is absolutely EXHAUSTED after from playing all day. The prices are very reasonable and Fernando is extremely accessible if you have questions. My girlfriend and I were nervous at first but this place is truly first class and do whatever it takes to keep Walter and his owners happy! Highly recommend! read more

Fernando and the Bark and Play Chicago staff are simply great. You can tell right from the start that Fernando loves what he does and is very, very good at it. Great price, excellent care and communication. Our dog is picked up and dropped off on days she goes to daycare and comes home happy and well-exercised. Couldn't ask for better service. Check our their Instagram for a lot of pictures of happy pooches. read more

Great service, I wish I could give more stars. They have taken great care of my dog since she was a puppy. Very reliable and never crate her which is wonderful. I travel a lot and this service has been there for me every single time. read more

Bark and Play is the best! Not only do they pick up and drop off your dog for you, but they don't crate your pup, instead letting their fuzzy butts run around the whole time! My dog, Turtle, loves going so much that one of the times I worked from home, when she was getting picked up, I saw her tail wag so much and her so excited more so than any of the times I have come home to her...hmm, she may love Fernando and his great staff more than me! They also do overnight boarding at a very reasonable price. You really can't do much better than Bark and Play Chicago! read more

Bark and Play Chicago has been the BEST decision I have ever made for my dogs! I know every day they are getting the most fun out of their days and being watched by some of the best people around. Fernando and his team have been so helpful and so easy to reach that it made me feel so confident when I would leave for work everyday to know they were in good hands. I would recommend Bark and Play to anyone who is in need of a daycare service! They also have the convenient ability to pick up and drop off your dogs which made it so incredibly easy for us! We are sad to say goodbye to them because of moving out of state, but if we return, we will be back there in a heartbeat!!! Amity and I will miss you guys so much!!! Thank you for being the best in Chicago!! read more

We love Bark and Play! I have a 1 year old Samoyed who is a ball of energy, and if left alone too long, has a history of getting himself into trouble. I finally broke down and budgeted for a doggy daycare, and since finding Bark and Play, I am so glad I did! My dog finally has an outlet when I am away at work with 5 straight hours of play time. Fernando and his team are the best! Always so polite, trustworthy, on time, and most importantly, they are clearly dog people! The first week my dog was with them, Fernando actually asked me, "what do you want us to work on with your dog?" That's right-they helped with basic training as well! Bark and Play has definitely set the bar in Chicago for what a doggie daycare should be. Thank you guys! read more

When our dog walker decided to move out of the city, we were concerned about finding a solution for our high energy puppy. We saw Bark & Play in our neighborhood and decided to give it a shot. We are so happy with our new arrangement with Bark & Play; Fernando has been amazing, and they take great care of her. Our puppy attends daycare 5 days a week, and when she comes home, she is exhausted. With the dog walker, she would still have tons of energy left and was always looking for trouble in the evenings. Now, she lays at our feet during dinner and snuggles us while we watch TV in the evenings; such a nice change of pace. Couldn't be more happy! read more

I love this place, but more importantly my Pup Aberdeen loves this place. Abby has been part of Fernando's pack for a little over a year and a half. She's always excited to see the driver come to pick her up. She's always happy and exhausted when she comes home. Combine that with the pick up and drop off service that makes my morning easier and this is the only place I'll take my dog. Fernando runs a great business, he cares for the dogs that he's entrusted with, kept we ahead of the Dog Flu epidemic that ran through Chicago, but didn't touch the Bark and Play, and his no cage boarding... seriously, this is the only place in Chicago I'll trust with my little mutt. :) If you need a daycare for your Dog, and you want a place that truly cares for the pack, get in touch with Fernando. read more

Bark and Play has been a huge savior for us and our 1 year old English Bulldog pup - Gus. We had tried another daycare for Gus around 8 months of age and he had a really bad experience and hated when the pickup van came to get him. However, with Bark and Play, it couldn't be more different...Gus literally waits every morning by the door hoping to be picked up to go to Bark and Play. Fernando the owner came to our house prior to accepting Gus and built a familiarity with him (and us) in our own home, so the transition went smoothly. All in all, they take great care of Gus and he comes home totally wiped out and sleeps for the rest of the night and basically the whole next day. Would highly recommend!! read more

Bark&Play is the BEST!! Our dog, Bodhi, has been going to day care 5 days a week for the last 9 months and he loves it. Fernando is always easy to get a hold of for last minute scheduling changes, and the pricing is truly the best in town -- plus Bodhi was picked up and dropped off from our home each day for free as a complimentary service. We have also boarded Bodhi with Bark&Play, and I never worry about him while we are gone because they do such a great job. Sadly, we are moving to the suburbs and are heartbroken to be losing Bark&Play for day care but will absolutely make the 1 hour drive into town to keep boarding Bodhi with Bark&Play. Bodhi is considered family there and he loves Bark&Play just as much as he loves it at home. read more

My husband and I started using Bark and Play when we got our very first puppy and were a bit overwhelmed with all of the puppy energy and socialization needs. After some research and word-of-mouth recommendations, we settled on Bark and Play and our experience with them has been nothing short of perfect thus far. We first met with Fernando who came over to our house (on a weekend to accommodate our schedule, nonetheless!) and he was wonderful with our pup from the first meeting. He was clearly very knowledgeable on the appropriate daycare setting for a dog of that age and size, and came prepared to answer all of our many questions. We started service the very next week and it's been a seamless transition. Their pick-up and drop-off service cannot be beat, and they always enter and exit our home quietly and without making any sort of disturbance. They are always so incredibly friendly and our little guy wags his tail so fast the second they walk through the door. Our puppy is always dropped off clean, happy, and obviously very tired from many hours of (supervised) play time. I also get a lot of text updates with photos and any items of note from that day, and they are great at keeping me informed if I ask them to keep an eye on something that day - like a potty schedule, a hurt paw, etc. I cannot recommend Bark and Play enough - they are affordable, and the quality of their care is outstanding. We look forward to a long relationship with them! read more

Simply the best! Hands down. Family owned and operated. Affordable for pick up and drop off service. Our faithful companion waits by the door each day for pick up and the best part is he comes home happy and tired from playing. Schedule changes are easy and flexible. Overnight boarding is with one of the owners so there is familiarity and comfort for you both. They love your dog as much as you do! Bark and Play even handles small household requests too. You really are treated like close friends and family. One of the best decisions we ever made. read more

We began using Bark & Play Chicago about 6 months ago for our 1 year old Samoyed, Teeko. His energy level is still high and he had become destructive because he was bored. Bark & Play has been amazing! They are extremely reliable and provide Teeko with a great outlet for his energy while also teaching him important social skills. Fernando and his team are wonderful. The pick up and drop off service is a life saver and overall Bark and Play is great value! We have also used Bark and Play for overnight boarding and our pup has a blast with Fernando and his pack! I highly recommend Bark and Play! read more

I cannot say enough great things about Fernando and his staff at Bark and Play. Our dog George went 5 days a week for almost a year and unfortunately because of our move we could no longer keep sending George as much, as we wish we could have. Things we loved about Bark and Play: - Fernando's flexibility. You can call/text up to an hour before to cancel or change plans and Fernando would never question it or seem inconvenience. This was a a life saver on many occasions. Even going out of his way to drop him off at my friends house due to unforeseen circumstances. They are truly there to make your life easier, not vice versa. - Punctuality. They are always on time for pick up and drop off time frames. Each time that I happened to be home for a pick up I could witness firsthand the excitement George had to leave for day care. (or as we called it at home "Camp") :) - Price. They have extremely affordable rates and it includes pick up and drop off. At first we contemplated just setting up a dog walker but realized the prices were almost the same, so would you rather have a 20 minute walk for your dog or 5 hours of playing for almost the same price. Not to mention, sending George here as a puppy was the best decision we ever made because it made him sociable from a young age. George loves to play with dogs and is friendly to every one he meets on the street which I credit to his time at Bark and Play. Thank you Fernando and the Bark and Play staff. We will miss you!! read more

Our Vizsla has been going to Bark and Play for about 9 months now, and it has been terrific. For an active dog, a couple of days a week of daycare go a long way to making them happy. Fernando and his staff are extremely responsive, and also incredibly helpful if we need to alter the normal schedule for any reason. The pick up/drop off feature is a huge help for people with busy lives, and we know we can count on Bark & Play to show up on time. Unlike many daycare services where the dogs are crated for a "nap time" while employees attend to dog walking clients, Bark and Play has the dogs running free the entire time they are there. We would recommend Bark and Play to anyone looking to give their dog some great socialization and exercise. read more

I can't even begin to express every wonderful detail that makes Bark and Play such an amazing company. Fernando and his team have created something so much more than just any doggie daycare - from the complimentary pick-up and drop-off service, to the daily Instagram and Facebook photos showing my pup Quinn while he plays, Bark and Play has added so many special touches that are hard to find anywhere else. Since day one at Bark and Play, Quinn has always been showered with love and care and is so much happier with all of the doggie (and people!) pals he's made over the past year. What's more, they offer daily baths for the cheapest price you can find and also offer boarding (which is at Fernando's home, meaning your pup won't spend the whole time in a crate and will have a blast with Fernando's family and other dogs). All and all, I don't know what I would do without Fernando and his team - they are truly amazing people! read more

Bark and Play Chicago is a lifesaver for us! They pick up our puggle, tire her out and drop her off. They are great people to deal with and my puggle really looks forward to the days that she goes to Bark and Play! Thank you Bark and Play! A happy dog = a happy life! read more

Peyton has been going to Bark and Play since he was a little pup. The dogs are friendly and the team is so nice and take such good care of our boy. Finding a good daycare that you're comfortable with is scary, but with Bark and Play, they make you feel comfortable and excited to send your dog! read more

Bark and Play has cared for our Weimaraner since 2009 with weekday pick ups and on call weekends. Today we hosted a baby shower and at the last minute the owner welcomed our dog into his home. Whenever we leave Chicago, Bark and Play works with our schedule to make sure the dog is happy and travel plans unaffected. If you need help with your dog in the city, Bark and Play comes highly recommended from this Bucktown family! read more

Fernando and the bark and play team are the best!!! I feel at ease going to work knowing that our little pooch is having the time of her life, playing in the doggy pool, and running around. I know Wilma is in the best hands with bark and play, and is getting all of the love and attention any dog parent could hope for. She's gone from puppy to teenager with Fernando! Bark and play is her home away from home. Thanks for everything guys!!! read more

Bark and Play is a lifesaver for working dog owners. My beloved pup gets picked up at my home and dropped off 3 days a week. After 3 half-days of fun, she is happy relaxing and watching me work the rest of the week. read more

Our dog Dale is a part of the family, so we will accept nothing less than the best when it comes to daycare/walking/boarding. Fortunately, Fernando and the Bark and Play team are just that! They have done a wonderful job at keeping our little guy happy while my husband and I are at work or on vacation (they board dogs too!). They are great about posting or texting photos of the dogs throughout the day, and it is fun to get a little peek into all the fun the pups are having. I would recommend Bark and Play to anyone who is as dog obsessed as we are :). read more

Bark and Play is a fabulous resource for city dog owners. I can't recommend it highly enough. I first learned about Bark and Play from friends in my neighborhood. As a first time dog owner, I felt overwhelmed and ill-prepared to give my young puppy the daily attention and exercise he required while continuing to keep my busy home and work-from-home life going. Fernando and his team have been a lifesaver for me ever since our first meeting. They are reliable, responsive, flexible, professional, and incredibly caring towards the pooches in their care. I witness the ultimate proof of how much my dog loves Bark and Play when our alarm chime announces the arrival of his driver. In fact, I can tell that every time the chime rings and it is NOT a ride to Bark and Play, my pup is a little disappointed! Fernando's instagram updates help make me feel more connected to how my guy spends his time when we are apart. My dog and I both love Bark and Play. read more

Hi! I'm an 8 month old frenchie pup and I love going to Bark and Play Chicago. The owner, Fernando, takes great care of me and I loved spending the weekend with him while my parents were out of town. They even have helped me take my medicine that weekend and sent my parents pics of me having fun! I have lots of energy and come home exhausted after playing all day with the pals. Can't wait to go back tomorrow. read more

If I could give Fernando and the staff more stars than this, I would! Our little girl, Leela, has been with them for the last 4-5 years and has always been well taken care of. Fernando responds quickly at all times of the day and has been so flexible with last minute schedule changes. . Their service never ceases to amaze me. They go out of their way to satisfy the owners and always keep the dog as a priority. You will not find better people to take care of your dog! Leela will run to the door when they come to pick her up and you can tell she loves her time there! If you are looking for a daycare for your dog, you will not find anyone better than the crew at Bark and Play. read more

Our dog, has been with Bark and Play for about 5 mos now. Fernando and his team are the best. We have been present for pickups and drop-offs and his reaction speaks volumes. The joy he shows when Mari or Fernando come is a pleasure to witness. We have also boarded him and it is such a comfort knowing he is with people he knows and loves when we're away. We highly recommend Bark and Play to anyone looking for a safe and responsible daycare. read more

My dog Bruce has been with Fernando for about 3.5 years. I wouldn't change a thing!!! I know that when I leave for work in the morning that JD is going to pick him up and drop him off before I get home and he is going to be one happy pup! It puts my mind at ease while I'm working that my Bruce is getting the best care he can get while we are away. I know that bark and play has the best interest of my puppy at heart. They are always accommodating with schedule changes, if I ask for an update with how he is doing and basically anything ;) They also have an instagram account which is awesome because then you can see all the dogs having such a fun time and they are always putting new pictures up. There really are no words to express my gratitude to bark and play in helping me with Bruce and making him a happy and socialized pup! I don't know what we would do without them! I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a home away from home for your furry baby ;) read more

My first dog has been going to day care with Fernando for 8 years now. I trust him so much that I have never even visited the daycare facility! Yes it sounds crazy, but my pup was always so happy when one of the staff members arrived to pick him up, that was all that mattered. When my dog was a puppy, he would come home exhausted after a fun day or running and playing with his pals. A couple of years ago, I adopted a second dog.... a 7 year old abused Jack Russel Terrier that wanted to kill everyone including Fernando when he came to pick up my other dog. Now they are the best of friends and two years later, the little one can't wait to go to Bark and Play. Fernando was patient and alpha at the same time that eventually, the scarred abused dog realized that Fernando was a friend. The team is amazing! And my pups just love going to Bark and Play! I recommend these guys to all my friends and neighbors...even strangers I meet on the street. read more

Bark and Play is great. I had tried a few other daycare options before but after it became obvious that Larry was just another dog, I knew I needed to find a new option. I heard about Bark and Play via word of mouth in my neighborhood. Working with Bark and Play left both myself and Larry, my 10 month old golden doodle, happy! When I first reached out to the team, Fernando set up a time for us to meet Mari and get acquainted. It felt good knowing that they had such a hands on approach vs. me showing up with my dog and hoping for the best. Larry was also initially car sick so they made it a point to take special care and let me know how he did on his first trip. There were even multiple times that my neighbors sent me texts out of the blue letting me know how gentle and kind Mari and team were when picking up Larry, as I know it is a struggle to get him in the van. Fernando is also very easy to get a hold of, which is much appreciated! The prices are extremely reasonable, Larry is happy every day and so am I. Thank you Bark and Play team! read more