Where do you have your meet and greets?

I do only in-home hosting. Though there are already plenty of good answers, here is mine:

I meet potential clients outside, in front of my house. We go directly to the fenced-in back yard, where the guest dog is let off-leash to sniff around while the pet-parent and I chat and talk about details.

After 5-10 minutes, I let my own dogs out, one at a time (I have two). I wait until each has had the opportunity to do all the sniffing they want and have gotten to the point that they are ignoring each other (always the best sign).

Once all three dogs are getting along fine outside, the guest dog (and pet-parent) is invited into the house while my dogs remain outside. We continue to chat.

After that step, I lead the clients to the front of the house and we say goodbye.

Note: While we are all in the house, I offer a home-baked dog treat to the canine guest (with pet-parent permission). Additionally, approximately 15 minutes after they leave I send a follow-up thank you note via Rover.

For me, it's where the service will be provided. If the plan is to provide house sitting, walks/visits, then I suggest meeting outside their house to do proper dog:dog introductions. If I provide care at heir home, I need to see where things are kept and get a key. It it's for possible day care and boarding at my home, then I propose meeting outside my place to also have proper dog:dog introductions and a get acquainted/pee walk before going inside. If they're going to stay with me, I need to see how they behave and interact off leash in my home.

I've found there's always a grass or sidewalk area just about everywhere. So, for me, going to a park would be unnecessary, would have more distractions, and result in an additional m&g.

I also hold M&Gs where services are offered. For boarding/daycare, I have the clients come to my house, where I meet them outside and bring the dogs out for a group walk before inviting them in. For drop ins/walks I go to their house. I need to see where the dog's things are located and have the owners walk me through their routine. Other meeting places are infrequent and not preferred, though I've done it from time to time.

I don't offer doggy day care or stays in my house, so I always do meet & greets either at a park, or at the client's home. I always offer to meet somewhere before stating that we could meet in their home if they'd prefer. If possible, I like to do meet & greets during daylight hours.

For Dog Boarding: I'm a little luckier when it comes to where I live. My house is located between a church and a funeral home (weird! I know, but the house was here first!) and I don't have any neighbors, so what I usually tell my potential clients is that we can meet at the church parking lot which is connected to my driveway.

That way, the dogs won't be all territorial when the guests arrive. If things go well from there, I suggest that we move the M&G over to my house and I'll give them a tour and see how they act in the house and get them accustomed to the new surrounding and smell.

For Drop-In Visits / Dog Walking: I go over to the prospective clients house and I ask if it's alright if I bring my boyfriend (who lives with me) just so I feel safer going to a stranger's house. They're always alright with it and totally understand where I'm coming from.

I insist on a local park or business away from my home, since I board in my home. My dog isn't territorial, but dogs that have never met before should have their initial meeting in neutral territory. If the stay is booked, I have the clients let their dog off leash in our backyard first, so that their dog can smell everything. Then I let my dog out so that they can get to know each other again in a large space. Then when that has gone well, I let the guest dog inside our house and keep an eye on everyone. This is what works best for me. I keep my dog's safety and comfort first and foremost at all times.

Like the others, it depends on where I will be providing services. For boarding at my home, the M&G is done at my home. I meet the dog and parents outside, observing the dog for a bit, then everyone comes inside. I don't have dogs, so I just observe the dog as it roams around my living room and I chat with the parents. We then walk through the kitchen to my back yard. I let the dog roam around, chat with the parents, and observe the dog's behavior. I tell the parents I will always be outside with their baby and that I'll always supervise. Then we come back inside, where I answer any questions, explain my rates and go over the billing process, and give them a list of items to bring when they drop off Fido.

If I'm doing drop-in visits or housesitting, the M&G is done at the client's home. I ask to see where all the food and supplies are kept, where the food and water bowls are, review the dog's daily routine, and ask any questions about my responsibilities if I'm housesitting.

We always meet at my house. I only do in-home hosting and so I want the owners a chance to see my house and where the dogs will be staying, and I want to see how the dogs do in my house. I'll always meet them outside on the driveway with my own dog on leash. After we get the sniffing out of the way, we'll go into the backyard and once everyone is comfortable, we let the dogs off leash to play. I also show the owners (and dogs) around inside and with owner permission, offer both the guest dog and my dog a treat together.

I do meet and greets at my house. But thats just me. I want the clients to see where their dog will be staying. They could like me all day long but if my house was a mess and unclean I am sure they wouldnt want their babies staying.