If you’ve never had a meet and greet with a dog walker or pet sitter, you may have some questions regarding what it’s like and what to expect, so we’d like to clarify it all! Feel free to also check out the short video below which explains what you can expect during a meet and greet.
A Meet & Greet is a scheduled visit at your home where you, your walker or sitter, and your pet can meet in person once your bookings have been scheduled and assigned with a dedicated walker or sitter. The meet and greet is with the actual walker or sitter who will be doing the walks or visits and it is for you all to get to know each other, allow your pet to familiarize themselves with their walker or sitter, and get used to their presence, and go over anything important that they may need to know.
Meet and Greets are set at specific times and last 30 minutes, it’s a way for you and your pet to feel comfortable with their new walker or sitter, and to help build that initial connection. They start at your home where your pet meets their walker in a familiar environment with you around. While it begins indoors, you’re welcome to spend some time outdoors on a walk too, where you can show your walker your dog’s favorite sniffing or pooping spots, areas to avoid, or anything else they should know. This is the perfect opportunity to ensure your pet feels comfortable with their new walker or sitter. This pre-formed connection will help make that first walk or visit a breeze!
So what happens at a Meet and Greet?
First and foremost, remember that the meet and greet's main purpose is to build that initial bond between your pet and their caregiver. Make sure to give your dog plenty of time to sniff and snuggle with their new walker, and build that initial bond! As for cats, you know you’ll be good to go once they rub up against your new sitter or get some pets in!
The next most important thing would be to discuss anything easier to explain in person rather than in writing. These include things you would need to physically show the walker or sitter, like where the pet food and treats are located, or specific behavioral reactions your pet has.
For any specific details such as the exact feeding amounts or type and dosage of medications, it is best to document this in the app. This ensures nothing is forgotten and can be looked at in the future. It is also incredibly helpful in the event your walker or sitter is ever sick or needs a cover walker, as this will all be documented and seen by the cover caregiver!
Go over your pet’s temperament and any quirks they have:
While you want to be sure to document in the app any specific triggers or fears your dog or cat may have, some of these things may require additional discussions and you might find talking it out with your walker or sitter to be helpful!
Every pet has a unique personality, and sharing specific information about your dog or cat helps the walker or sitter so they can have a PAW-some walk or visit! You can go over things such as:
- Behavioral traits: Is your pet shy around new people? Do they get overly excited when meeting someone new? Should the walker avoid saying hi to other dogs or people? Will your cat hide most of the visit or will they come out for cuddles?
- Fear or reactivity: Does your dog have any triggers like loud noises, bicycles, construction, or other animals? This will help the walker know what to avoid to keep your pet safe and happy!
- Quirks: Does your cat hide when nervous or does your dog only answer to certain commands? If there are any things to keep in mind, they should be shared so your walker or sitter is prepared!
Go over where supplies are kept:
Walkers and sitters need to know where these essential items are kept so that each walk or visit can be completed with ease!
- Leashes, harnesses, or collars: You can show your walker or sitter where these items are kept, and if there are specific ones to use for each pet if you have more than one in a household. If your pet needs special attire during certain months of the year, you can also show them this!
- Food and feeding supplies: Show the walker or sitter where to find your pet’s food, feeding bowls, and any measuring tools. If they need to discard any items or put any dishes in a certain spot, please let them know at this time!
- Litterbox and cleaning supplies: If you have cats, you can show your sitter the location of the litterbox, extra litter if needed, and cleaning supplies.
- Toys and treats: Let the walker or sitter know where to find your pet’s favorite toys and treats! You can go over the number of treats your pet can receive, as well.
- Other supplies: Whether it's poop bags, water bowls, towels, cleaning supplies, or medication, make sure the walker or sitter knows where everything is kept!
Go over your pet’s routine, house rules, and any special instructions:
This a great opportunity to go over your pet's routine, as well as any house rules or special instructions in detail so your walker or sitter is fully aware of what is expected.
- Walk or exercise routine: You can discuss if your pet likes a faster or slower-paced walk. You can also share any specific routes or places your pet enjoys so the walker can head there during their walks!
- House rules: Does your pet need to avoid being on certain furniture such as the couch? Do you have areas of the house that are off-limits or do you want your pet to be crated after the walk or visit? Or maybe, you’d like your walker/sitter to take their shoes off or leave a light on for your pet! This is a great time to go over any of these rules but do make sure that anything super important, such as crating, should still be added in the app!
- Special instructions: Whether it’s wiping paws after a walk or using specific commands, go over anything that may require special attention!
We encourage you to clearly show or tell your walker or sitter anything necessary so that they are equipped to handle all situations that may arise, such as knowing where cleaning supplies are if your pet has an accident, without having to potentially wait to hear back from you!
Finally, during the meet and greet, you should discuss any other remaining information about your scheduled walks or visits. No matter how small you may think it is, it can be extremely valuable information to your walker or pet sitter! Our dog walking and pet sitting team fills out an email after each meet and greet with helpful information that can be added to your pet’s profile if it is not already there.
The goal is to ensure both you and your pet are completely comfortable before the first walk or visit!
Go over how to access your home:
Ensuring a smooth entry to your home is important to avoid any issues during your scheduled walks or visits! This is the perfect time to:
- Show how to access your home: You can demonstrate how your access type works whether it is keys, keypad, lockbox, doorman, or something else. If there are multiple entrances or doors, please show the walker or sitter the proper way to access.
- Practice using keys: Ensure the walker or sitter is familiar with how your locks work to avoid any issues on their first visit. Some locks require certain tricks or ways of opening so this is a great chance to go over this.
- Hand over two copies of your keys (In NY only) if your account is set to be “key access”(an option only currently available in NY), please be sure to hand your walker or sitter two copies of your keys, one for them to hold on to and another to store at our secure key safe system. In other locations, we ask that your key never leaves the premises and is stored in either a lockbox or the front desk. Alternatively, a keyless entry option is provided, read more!
- Security/Alarm Systems: If you have any alarms, cameras, or automatic locks the walker or sitter should be aware of, as well as any instructions for disarming or arming your system, please go over this with them. Please ensure you put any codes needed in the app though and not just relay them verbally! This is so your walker or sitter will always have access to it in case they forget the exact code.
We encourage all clients to schedule meet and greets when needed as it is the perfect opportunity to meet your walker or sitter and ensure everything is set for your upcoming bookings! This way, you can have peace of mind knowing your pet will be well cared for. :) You can click here to read when meet and greets are complimentary or not!
If you'd like to book a walk or visit with one of our pawtastic walkers or sitters, don’t hesitate to reach out to us directly or you can add a walk or visit online!
