01
Finish work without watching the clock.
The 4:57 sprint to your car goes away. Your dog isn't crossing his legs at home — he's out on the grass with his people.
The Member Handbook
Life at The Farm Dog Co
Everything a new family should know before they ever fill out a form. Take your time. If it sounds like home, we'd love to meet your dog.
01Philosophy
A farm, not a facility.
Dogs weren't built for concrete runs and back-to-back playgroups. They were built for grass under their feet, dirt on their nose, and a small group of humans who notice when something's off.
So that's what we built. A farm. Small on purpose. Slow on purpose. Cared for by people who chose this life, not a shift.
Fewer dogs, more attention
We cap membership. That's the whole product.
Rest is the plan
A tired dog is not the same as a well dog.
Honest communication
If it's not a fit, we'll say so — kindly, and early.
02Daily Rhythm
The day, from first light to lights out.
The rhythm doesn't change much. That's the point — predictable days make for settled dogs.
- 7:00 AMWake with the farmSlow start. Out to the paddock, morning sniff, first breakfast for the seniors.
- 8:00 AMBreakfast serviceIndividual bowls, quiet rooms, meds on schedule. No competition, no rushing.
- 9:30 AMPasture timeReal rest and play under the trees.
- 12:30 PMMidday quietCozy beds, fans, intermittent potty breaks and several good scratches. This is where seniors and shy dogs exhale.
- 4:00 PMSecond outingSniff walks, sprinklers in summer, structured play for the working breeds.
- 6:00 PMSupper & settleDinner, meds, a slow perimeter walk.
- 8:00 PMLights outFinal post-dinner potty, familiar smells and sounds to fall asleep in their own low-lit room where they feel safe. Monitored with help and love just a couple rooms away.
03Blackout Dates
A few days a year we close the gate.
To keep the farm actually a farm, we hold a handful of dates for our team and our own animals. Families are notified six months out.
| DATES | Reason | Boarding |
|---|---|---|
| July 4, 2026 | Firework recovery for the dogs already with us | Members only, no new intakes |
04What to Pack
Bring less than you think. Bring exactly this.
01
Food & Treats
Labeled unopened new food bags with portion instructions. Reduces mix-ups, protects sensitive stomachs. We'll let you know when they get low according to their scheduled time here.
02
Medications
Original bottles, written schedule, and enough for stay + 2 buffer days.
03
One familiar item
A worn t-shirt, a favorite blanket. Please, no brand-new toys.
04
Vaccination records
DHPP, Rabies, Lepto, Bordetella, and a negative fecal within 12 months.
05
Leash + flat collar
With current ID.
06
Notes on your dog
Quirks, fears, favorite words. The more we know, the softer the landing.
05Expectations
What we promise. What we ask.
We will…
- Know your dog by name and by temperament, not by kennel number.
- Daily recaps with photos, videos and daily summary.
- Call you first if anything changes, before we call the vet.
- Always keep safe distances from others unless otherwise requested/approved by owner.
We ask that you…
- Fill out the intake honestly. Reactivity, resource guarding, medical history — all of it.
- Give us 14 days' notice for stays over a week, when possible.
- Trust the trial day. It exists to protect your dog.
- Read this handbook. If it doesn't sound like a fit, that's okay — we'll tell you too.
06Access & Tracking
My Farm Dog — your window into the day.
Every meal, medication, potty break and note is logged in real time in our in-house tracker, My Farm Dog. It's live now — each family gets private access at intake to check in on their dog's day whenever they like. No app store, no login gymnastics, just a quiet view of a well-cared-for day.
Meals logged
Breakfast, lunch, dinner with portion notes for each dog.
Meds tracked
Every scheduled dose, timestamped as it's given.
Potty & notes
Yard breaks, behavior notes, anything worth a heads-up.
07Peace of Mind
You're not booking boarding. You're booking your life back.
This is what families actually describe when we ask what changed. Not a service list — a feeling.
02
Accept the business trip.
The one you kept saying no to. Say yes. Bring the laptop. Sleep in the hotel bed. Your dog is fine — better than fine.
03
Stay the extra night.
The wedding runs long. The friends are laughing. You don't have to leave at 9 to relieve the neighbor. Stay.
04
Go to dinner without rushing home.
Meet the coworkers. Order the second glass. Take the long way back. Enjoy living again without the guilt of wondering if it's been too long this time.
05
Know your senior dog isn't alone.
Someone is watching how she gets up from her bed today. Someone knows what her normal is. That someone isn't a camera.
08How We Compare
A different kind of stay, on purpose.
We're not trying to be a bigger kennel — we're trying to be the opposite. Here's what that looks like, line by line.
| Traditional boarding | The Farm Dog Co |
|---|---|
| New staff every shift | One familiar caregiver |
| Busy environment | Eight-dog maximum |
| Charged by the night | Flat-rate reserved membership |
| Shared kennels | Dedicated personal space |
| Last-minute availability uncertain | Priority access for members |
Neither model is wrong — they're built for different things. Ours is built for families who want the same person looking after their dog, every stay.
09FAQs
Questions people ask on the tour.
What if my dog doesn't do well in groups?+
We prefer solo tracks. Rarely do our regulars have playgroups — and that's the whole point of the farm, we're not a kennel.
Can I visit before booking?+
Every family does a farm tour before their first overnight. No exceptions.
What's your vet protocol?+
During intake we collect your current vet and your ER Vet if the original is not available. Should an issue arise, that's who we call immediately after informing you via your preferred method of contact. Meds are logged upon each completed dosage.
How do I know my dog is okay?+
Real mid-stay updates, not a template. For stays 5+ nights, a short video.
Are you a rescue or a boarding facility?+
Neither in the traditional sense. We are a small, members-only retreat — but we hold one of our rooms year-round for bottle babies and shelter recovery pets, and partner with local shelters and rescues to give back to our community. All retail proceeds are also donated to rescues and shelters.
Ready when you are
If this sounds like home, so is your dog.
Every family starts with a farm tour and a trial day. No pressure, no hard sell — just a quiet morning to see if we're the right fit.