Hi again!
I have a meet and greet with someone this weekend who is needing me to watch their dog this April; however, I was just notified by a repeat client who asked me about the same dates. What do you typically do? Who do you give priority to?
Obviously you would give priority to an existing client (unless it's a difficult client that you want to cut ties with). If the existing client actually books, I would notify the new M&G that an existing client has just booked these dates but offer to meet anyway in case they needed back up in the future.
However, before all of that make sure that the existing client actually books. Plans change. The existing client may still be in the planning stages and that is why she inquired about the dates but didn't book. She may have a few days flexibility, so it may work out for both.
According to your profile, you can board up to 2 dogs a night. Given that one of the dogs is a repeat customer, have a M&G with the new one and try to make an assessment whether that dog would get along with the others. If you can't, then see if you can organize a M&G for both. Let both owners know, but your profile does say there could be another dog.
During holiday periods, I might accept additional dog(s), but I will never take on more than one new client, along with repeat guests and my dog. Frequently there is only an overlap of a couple of days and I don't see why you should turn down a new client if you like the dog and can accommodate.
I have had that situation. I usually go on a first come first served basis when it comes to reservations that far out. Ask the repeat client if they definitely want to book those dates. Tell them you have another request for the dates and please confirm a booking request before date of M&G). If so, tell the potential client that you have a repeat client that has booked the dates but offer to do the M&G in case the reservation falls through or if they want to develop a relationship for future bookings.
If the repeat client is just asking about the dates, tell them you have a request already for those dates and will be meeting with the client soon. Do the M&G with the new client. In this situation I would go with whoever confirms a booking request first.
I do the same. I'll give a heads up that another person is interested, but whoever actually books the dates first wins.