This Plymouth bakery is tail-wagging heaven for dogs

Canines have developed such a deep affection for downtown Plymouth’s Three Dog Bakery, they unknowingly often put their fur baby-loving owners in can’t-win situations.

“I’ve heard a number of stories from customers that they’ll be out for a walk with their dog and the dogs will lead them right to our front door,” said Three Dog Bakery owner Nate Atkinson.

“When this happens after hours and we’re closed, the dogs won’t budge from the front door, which creates a problem because their owner can’t explain to them that we’re closed.”

Once you step inside the 18-year-old Plymouth bakery (it’s one of only two of the franchise’s Michigan locations), it’s easy to understand the dogs’ treat-pursuing persistence — even if you’re a human.

Amazing aroma

Visitors are greeted by the welcoming aroma of fresh-baked goods — all cooked with no sugar, salt or preservatives.

“All of the treats are baked onsite, which is why this place smells so amazing all the time,” explained Atkinson, who is a certified pastry chef (for two-legged and four-legged creatures), having earned culinary degrees from Schoolcraft College.

“My parents (Gary and Camille) bought this franchise 13 years ago (the bakery has been at the same Forest Street location 18 years) as part of their retirement plan.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever be baking pastries for dogs when I was in college, but I took over for them when they retired and I love it.”

Atkinson said there are several breeds of dogs in his bakery on a daily basis, which — being the dog lover he is — makes his job even more enjoyable.

“There are well-behaved dogs — everything from Golden Doodles to Pitbulls — in here getting treats with their owners more often than not,” he said. “They really add to the happy vibe.

“There’s a club based in Detroit called the Doberman Gang whose members stop in monthly to pick up treats and other items. Sometimes they bring as many as 20 Dobermans with them.”

Atkinson said everything his business makes is 100% fit for human and dog consumption — although the products taste better to dogs considering Three Dog Bakery does not use sugar, salt or artificial flavoring.

“We make high-reward treats, so they’re great for training purposes,” he said. “We also make everyday treats, too, like our top-selling marshmallow treats.”

Atkinson said his bakery makes approximately 400 birthday cakes for dogs every month.

“We change up our offerings based on the season,” he said. “Valentine’s Day is always huge. For St. Patrick’s Day, we’ll have mint-themed treats colored and shaped like shamrocks. In the summer, we have barbecue-themed treats and for Thanksgiving we have a Beast Feast that includes mashed potatoes-flavored dog cupcakes and pumpkin-pie biscuits.”

Three Dog Bakery also sells dog toys and high-quality dog food that is made in the franchise’s Missouri factory.

The business was a savior, of sorts, for one dog owner whose pet briefly escaped from a shop down the street.

“Instead of wandering off to who knows where, it remembered our place, stopped at the front door and just sat there,” Atkinson said, smiling.

And undoubtedly, the dog was wagging its tail.

Ed Wright can be reached at 734-664-4657 or edwright@socialhousenews.com.

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