Read our frequently asked questions about The Bark Inn, dog care and safety, and our services.
The Bark Inn offers a calm environment for those small dogs that do best in a limited group of similar sized social dogs.
Our specialized individual comfort visits are designed to help small dogs who are a bit more timid, slow to trust or take a while to relax.
Our grounds are set up to provide a relaxing and enriching environment to offer the dogs plenty of opportunity to explore, utilising all their senses.
Our guest accommodation is attached to our house and fully monitored.
Jo is the first Fear free certified professional in the Taupo region and practices force free and fear free principals.
We encourage you to provide your dogs regular diet, for the continuity and reduction of possible digestive upset.
This is free of charge.
If it is not practical for you to provide your own and your dog is on a raw diet, we are able to supply a raw diet starting from $3.50 per meal, with plenty of notice.
Please discuss with us well in advance if your dog has protein restrictions so we can make sure we have appropriate food in stock for the stay.
Please advise us upon booking and we will calculate the total cost for you.
Our guest lounge, attached to our house, is fully insulated with a heat pump and HRV system for your dog’s comfort.
Each guest is provided their own place for sleeping comfort with their bed or one of our comfy beds.
Guests from the same household can have an area to sleep together, talk to Jo if you would like this option.
We play classical music overnight and use adaptil or pet remedy plug ins to help reduce fear, stress and anxiety.
Guests are monitored through our cameras during their downtimes.
Parvo Virus, Distemper, Hepatitis (Vanguard 5) – every 3 years.
Leptospirosis and Canine Cough – yearly.
If your dog receives different vaccines, please contact your vet for frequency required.
Vaccines due to expire during or within two weeks after the boarding period will need to be renewed prior to attending The Bark Inn.
All vaccines are required no less than 14 days prior to attending The Bark Inn Ltd to provide full immunity.
We can arrange a pick-up / drop-off from Taupo. An extra charge will apply.
For secure transport, we use a crating system or have dogs secured via seatbelt harnesses.
We only offer this service once we have a relationship with the dog as traveling can be stressful for dogs.
We play relaxing music and spray Adaptil transport in the vehicle to help reduce the stress of transport,
Yes, but please let us know of all medical problems and medication when booking.
We cannot take any dogs that have a contagious disease or condition or dogs who have had a transmittable condition within the last 30 days without a certificate of clearance from your vet, this is for the safety of all our guests.
If your dog has visited the dog in the month leading up to their retreat, please provide the vets notes in case they are needed.
Some conditions we cannot cater to is Diabetes, Epilepsy that is not under control, high grade heart murmurs or renal failure. For other conditions please ring and discuss with us.
We love the opportunity to show you around.
We ask you to make the booking for a meet and greet without your dog on a separate day to a comfort visit or we can show you around after the comfort visit.
Our guests are small dogs who enjoy and are comfortable with other dogs of a similar size.
Weight discussed upon application, please indicate in our client form the current weight.
The Bark Inn Ltd is no longer taking new Terriers or other high-drive dogs.
If The Bark Inn Ltd feels any other dogs may not be a good match for our other guests, The Bark Inn Ltd will offer suggestions for alternate pet care.
You are required to pay the full charge for all bookings before dropping off your dogs.
Payment by internet or bank deposit must be cleared before the dogs are dropped.
All bookings for peak periods (between 20 Dec to 10 Jan) require a $100 deposit at time of booking being confirmed by The Bark Inn.
Peak period bookings (between 20 Dec to 10 Jan) require a minimum 5 nights stay. This is to provide a more settled routine for our guests.
We do not offer traditional daycare services, however we have Country Club events which is by membership to those over eight months old, held eight times per year.
And Family Members (those dogs on our books) have access to weekend day retreats by request.
We require all first time bookings to attend a minimum of a comfort visit and a separate overnight sleepover before a longer booking is accepted.
Our initial comfort visits are offered on Saturdays for a full day visit.
We set a plan in place with you to help your dog feel safe and happy in our environment, if we find a full day to be too overwhelming for your dog we can work on a plan together to try and help them, this may be with shorter stays or referral elsewhere.
The initial visits could be followed by one or two short sleepovers before a longer stay.
We make every effort to give your dog a warm, happy, safe and low stress environment, following fear free protocols.
Reviews from previous customers
Mary C
I cannot recommend The Bark Inn and Jo too highly. I do not trust just anyone to look after my little dog. He is safe and enjoys himself so much having fun in the various areas, naps when he wants and makes lots of friends. The chauffeur service is wonderful. Jo is amazing with the dogs, and you can tell how much she loves her little charges when you talk to her.
Vicki W
I recommend the Bark Inn 100% I trust Jo with my sweet girl, it’s her second home and she love’s the retreat and is so excited to see Jo every time I drop her off. Jo is so supportive and has so much information to give when you have a hundred questions to ask when it comes to a new puppy, love taking my girl to The Bark Inn. You are doing an amazing job.
Tracey C
I highly recommend Jo and The Bark Inn. Jo takes exceptional care of my boy when he stays with her, from entertainment and runs in her paddock, to treats, cuddles and nap time. I never have to worry that he is being over aroused or put with dogs that are not suitable for him, as Jo focuses solely on small breeds. Plus, she limits her numbers, so I also know there will never be overcrowding. If you have a small breed dog, and want a home away from home, then this is definitely it.
Cheryl H
Highly recommend Jo!! Ollie thoroughly enjoyed his time with her. Incredible facilities, so well-kept and can just see what great care Jo takes of her fur boarders. Just loved seeing photos and the interactive feedback which gave us total peace of mind that Ollie was happy and having a great time. Ollie will definitely be back !!!!!!!!!! thanks again Jo, you are amazing!!
Sandra F
Highly recommend Jo to look after your dog. They will have so much fun and be very well cared for. Jo is very knowledgeable and has the best facilities I have ever seen.
P McCash
I highly recommend Jo as she is a loving and caring dog person and cares for your dogs while they are in her care. My four dogs had a fabulous time while they were there. I want to say thank you for looking after my babies so well.
Michelle A
It was good to find a place that takes a limited number of dogs and they get more individual attention. Thanks Jo, Charlie was tuckered out on the way home.
Kirsty W
There are not many places I can trust with my best friend, Koda. But I have complete trust in Jo. Her extensive knowledge and care for dogs puts my mind at ease. Booked Koda in for the weekend and got photos and updates on how he was doing, fantastic service! He had a blast! Thanks!
Kay M
I loved the retreat, so safe and secure and I loved getting regular photo updates and the activities that you had for Freddie throughout his stay. You were so caring of Freddie - he really got the deluxe treatment! Many thanks.
Jo L
Had a fabulous weekend away. Love seeing all the photos and activities Mo got up to. He not only had physical stimulation but mental as well. Thank you for looking after him so well. Definitely personal service. No hesitation recommending to others.
Catherine P
Our Cavoodle Bertie had an amazing holiday at The Bark Inn. He was very happy and well looked after. From the amazing dog playground, sandpit and paddling pool Bertie had a blast. Jo was great keeping in touch via Facebook updates and we knew Bertie was in good hands. The Bark Inn is a fabulous place to leave your small dogs. Thank you Jo for taking such great care of our very special furry friend.
TC
Jo is amazing and the dogs she looks after are cared for so well. It is so nice to be able to go away and know your dog is truly looked after. Jo spends so much one on one time with her visitors and explores all sorts of engaging techniques with them to keep them stimulated. They have so much space to play and the facilities are amazing. They are also spoilt with a heat pump on cold nights. This place is truly a retreat for dogs. Great work Jo and thank you. I doubt there is a better facility around.
