All of Your Security Questions, Answered!
It’s official — Dog Parker is hitting the streets in Brooklyn! If you’ve seen a Dog Parker pop up on your block recently, you may have wondered, What is this? How does it work? Can anyone open it?
We’re excited to be launching America’s first network of smart sidewalk dog houses right here in our own backyard. We spent years working with some of the best local manufacturers, vets, and pet experts to equip Dog Parkers with all of the safety features that we would want and expect for our own dog, Winston.
We know your dog’s safety is of the utmost importance, so we’re sharing our most frequently asked questions and explaining our security features here!
Have another question about security that you don’t see below? Please ask your question in the comments section or email us at bark@dogparker.com
Does the Dog Parker lock?
Yes. Absolutely. Dog Parker’s security begins with our sturdy polycarbonate and aluminum door that locks automatically when you close it so you don’t have to take any additional steps to make sure your dog is safe. Polycarbonate is a very durable plastic that’s 30x stronger than acrylic.
Can another Dog Parker member open the Dog Parker when my dog is inside?
No. Dog Parkers are designed to be used by one member at a time. Dog Parker member cards are equipped with NFC technology, similar to the systems that many hotel key cards and car sharing services use. Each Dog Parker member card has multiple unique reference codes so once you start a session and place your dog inside the Dog Parker, no other member card will work to open the door. Any Dog Parker in session will also show as unavailable to other members on the Dog Parker app and website for the duration of your session.
What happens if I lose my member card?
If you misplace your member card during an active session, you can use the Dog Parker app (available for both iPhone and Android) on your phone to unlock the Dog Parker.
If you lose your member card and you aren’t actively using a Dog Parker, you can email us at bark@dogparker.com to request a replacement. In the meantime, you can still reserve, unlock, and safely use Dog Parker entirely through the app and we can deactivate your lost card remotely — permanently or temporarily.
What if my phone dies while using Dog Parker and I don’t have my member card on me?
Each Dog Parker can be unlocked in multiple ways: through our app, with your member card, remotely by our staff, and manually with a physical key. If your phone dies during a Dog Parker session and you don’t have your member card on you, there are several alternative options built into our security system available to you:
1) If you can access another phone, you can contact our 24/7 customer service line by calling the number on the front of each Dog Parker (1–800–617–4097). One of our customer service team members can remotely unlock a Dog Parker once you answer a few security questions to confirm your identity.
2) In the rare occasion that a remote solution is unavailable, customer service can give you a code to access a manual override key which is stored in a combination lockbox in the rear of every Dog Parker.
3) Finally, each business that provides its customers with a Dog Parker has a copy of the physical key.
Do I need to download the Dog Parker app to use Dog Parker?
No, you don’t need to download the Dog Parker app or have a smartphone to use our network. When you sign up for Dog Parker, we send you a member card within a few days that you can use to unlock any available Dog Parker.
If you register a secondary pet caretaker or co-parent, we will send you two member cards, one for you and one for them! To unlock a Dog Parker with your member card, simply hold it next to the arrow in the front panel — when you hear a click (within a matter of seconds), you’re good to go!
What if the building or the city experiences an electrical power outage when I’m using Dog Parker?
Each Dog Parker is equipped with a backup generator that can run for 8+ hours without outside power. In the event that our Dog Parker host business — or even the whole city — experiences an electrical power outage, Dog Parkers will continue to run off their backup generators, and you will be able to safely pick up your dog.
How is the Dog Parker secured? Could someone walk away with it?
Dog Parkers are secured using bolts or security chains and weigh 80 pounds each. Our manufacturer specializes in security and critical infrastructure equipment designed to be dependable in even the harshest conditions, so they designed Dog Parkers to withstand the demands of NYC’s urban environment.
We’re excited to bring our fellow Brooklyn dog owners a safe, easy way to temporarily house their dogs so that you can enjoy the maximum amount of quality time together.
To find the nearest Dog Parker location near you, check our location map.
If you have a location suggestion, please leave it in the comments below or get in touch: bark@dogparker.com — we’d love to hear from you!
