Where do you hold your meet-and-greets?
I'm just curious where other sitters usually hold their meet-and-greets.
5 Answers
I hold meet and greets for all boarding clients at my home. Owners typically like to see the house their pet will be staying, and I like to see how the dog reacts with the local smells and sounds. Some sitters meet at a park near their house, and if all goes well walk back to their house with the client. I don't have an easily accessible nearby park, so for safety reasons will schedule meet and greets when my boyfriend or roommate are home, or will make sure they know who and when I'm meeting. I also live in a duplex, so my neighbor is nearby if I ever needed help.
If you have dogs and are doing a meet and greet, do it at a local park or somewhere there's neutral territory. Which is usually recommended. That way, no dogs will get weird about another dog coming onto their turf.
If you don't have dogs, then I would do the meet and greet at your house if you're comfortable with that!
Comments
Don't you think that might be a red flag for prospective clients? I've noticed a lot of clients really want to see what the house is like
Mmm not exactly. You could potentially lose a client if your dogs don't get along with the clients dog because it's not nuetral territory. Some dogs are very protective at their own house, causing them to be aggressive. If you're dogs aren't like that, then of course do meet and greet at your home.
All I know is that my clients all wanted to see my home; I think that's a big part of leaving your dog with someone, making sure that their house is clean and indicates a healthy lifestyle
To our advantage, we have tons of pictures actually showing our house. The clients get to choose where the Meet and greet is held. The majority of our clients rather do a meet and greet at a local dog park, not at our home. We leave it entirely up to them. So...no harm, no foul.
yes, I have lots of pictures too but most people want to see the house in person. Pictures don't = actual lived reality all the time, unfortunately. But I guess some will be more hung up on it than others
I don't board, or have dogs, so I always go to the client's house. It's easiest for them, and it helps me because I get to see where everything is in their house and ask questions if needed.
I also make sure that my boyfriend knows the address of the place I'm going and has the times, just in case something were to happen. Luckily, I've never had an issue, but it's good to be cautious!
Depends on your dog.
Everyone will say, "on neutral territory". At dog park etc.
I have a 9 month old puppy that I have extensively socialized. (If she was an older dog it may be different) So I don't have to worry about her. I kennel her and the new dogs can come in and explore the house. I pick up all toys and food before they come. Then after they've sniffed her and they seem okay, we all go into backyard. They get to run around and there is space to escape if anyone gets too bossy. We'll go back inside after they've played for a bit. I then will feed new dog treat and see how they react to that. Some don't want to share, which isnt a deal breaker. But a great indicator of good dog is that no one has an issue around food.
For my dog walks I usually request we meet in a local park because then if it doesn't seem right there isn't the added question of me being in their home. Then before our first walk (if we choose to proceed) I arrive about 10-15 minutes earlier than necessary to go over the location of important items/cleaning products etc.
I have met in a client's home before so I'm not saying that is a poor choice. It all worked out fine. I just preferred the dog park meetings.
Comments
The issue with arriving early on the day of the stay is that most clients would not be home, hence you coming over to take care of their dog. If you are more comfortable in a public setting at first, always make sure to have a second m&g in their home before the stay.
Like I've said before, it's totally up to you and the clients. Every dog is different, every human is different. I've had clients that would rather meet at a local dog park, and some that just want to come over and see the place. Nothing wrong with either. You just have to pick which one works best.