The Barking Lot

The Barking Lot is a crate-free facility at 940 Sherman Ave offering dog boarding and daycare in Hamden, CT, for small, medium, and large dogs. The building covers about 11,000 square feet, and dogs spend the day loose in supervised playgroups instead of in crates or runs.

What they offer

Overnight boarding and daycare are the two main options, and boarding comes in both traditional and cage-free formats. Private suites are available for dogs that do better with their own quiet space. Training and grooming are handled in house, and staff can give medication to dogs who need it during a stay.

• Indoor and outdoor play areas
• Swimming pools and jungle gym play equipment
• Playgroups separated by size and energy level
• Spa services, including baths, nail trims, brush-outs, and ear, eye, and teeth cleaning
• One-on-one playtime, enrichment sessions, and leash walks

What stands out

The playgroup setup is worth a look for owners of quiet or smaller dogs. Groups are sorted by size and energy level, so a 12-pound senior is not turned out with a pack of adolescent retrievers. A naptime is built into every day, which matters more than it sounds for dogs that will run themselves ragged in a group setting. The pools and climbing equipment give high-drive dogs somewhere to put that energy.

Practical details

Rates run $34 to $50 per day, according to pricing published on the facility's website. Doors are open 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Saturday, and 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM on Sunday. Reservations are made online. Proof of current vaccination is required before a dog can stay. The facility can be reached at 203-764-2622 or bark@hamdenbarkinglot.com, and it posts updates to Facebook and Instagram.