Q & A- our care

Can you give my dog medication while they are in your care?

Yes. We can administer all medications to dogs except injections. We do not charge extra for administering medication.

Where are you located & why can't I find your address?
We are located in Smith County Tennessee, 60 minutes East of Nashville. 98% of our customers are from the Nashville area. Visits to our farm are by appointment only and we provide detailed directions to our farm AFTER you schedule your initial visit. After you visit our farm once, we offer pick up and drop off in Nashville and surrounding areas.

Is your farm fenced?
Yes, our pet resort has approximately 5-6 fenced acres. Our fence is 6 feet high with a 4 foot metal barrier around the base of the fence. Please see our disclaimer for Escape Artists on our requirement page. YOU ARE BOARDING YOUR DOG AT YOUR OWN RISK... Almost Home Pet Farm is for people who want their dogs to be dogs and accept all the risks that come with.

How often does my dog get to go out?
Medium to large dogs have unlimited playtime outside with lights out between 8-9 P.M. Small dogs (under 20 pounds) get unlimited playtime inside with trips outside for sun, potty breaks, and frolics 4-6 times per day. We let most dogs choose if they want to be inside or outside.

I have a small dog. Are they around the larger dogs?
Small dogs spend most of their time in the house or in our art studio when we are working..their choice. They are not outside unsupervised unless they are on our enclosed porch. During your initial visit you can observe how small dogs spend their day and what it is like. We own 4 small dogs: Seamus, Finnbar the Irish Pug, Francis, and Hogan. It is important that you be comfortable with our set up and be ok with your small dog being "kennel free". If you feel you need a more confined arrangement and your dog is under 25 pounds please call Peg Harrington at The Happy Hound. She is a positive dog behaviorist that boards 3-4 dogs at a time. (615) 584-2940

Where do the dogs sleep?
All dogs sleep where they sleep at home...each dog has a spot that they love and they usually find it right away. Some sleep on the couch, in the chair, on the bed or on the floor. We do not allow any dogs to sleep outside. We provide all bedding.

Do I bring my dog's food?
Yes. We do not provide dog food. If you forget your food, you will be charged $1.50 per day. We feed premium holistic foods only. We supply treats so you do not need to provide them. Your dog gets two to three treats per day. Our treat choices are either Buddy's Biscuits or Farm Dog Organics.

Do you accept dogs on raw diets?
Yes. We recommend the frozen raw patties or nuggets when boarding. Homemade food is hard to store but we will accommodate you either way.

How do you feed them?
We feed them one at a time according to your instructions. This takes place in our feeding room where your dog can be alone and take their time. Dogs that come in pairs can eat together if they are allowed to at home.

 What if my dog won't eat?
We have never had a dog that wouldn't eat for more than a day...which is normal. When we do encounter a nervous or anxious eater, we just pour a little organic beef or chicken broth on their food and they eat it right away! (we check for allergies first) If a
dog is extremely anxious, we will give them a massage to calm them down and then try to feed them.

What if my dog needs to go to the vet?
The closest vet is 6 miles away. They are open Monday thru Friday. We go to a different vet on Saturdays and for nights and Sundays, we must go to the emergency vet like everyone else. We are pet emergency certified and can deal with most emergencies that come up except bloat, large rips or tears, cluster seizures, and poisoning.

I have a barrel chested dog. What do you do to prevent bloat?
 We hand feed our barrel chested dogs and don't allow them to exercise for at least 60 minutes afterwards. We also feed them frequent small meals. Bloat is not something that can be avoided completely but we do our best to help ensure it doesn't happen on our watch.

Do you have a pool?
No we do not. Due to the kennel free nature of our facility and allowing the dogs free access to our home, a pool proved a disaster. Chlorine is also toxic to dogs. Some dogs that are regulars and proven trust worthy can be taken to the lake for some ball fetching.