Meet & greets

Every first booking with a new owner starts with a free meet & greet. It's how they decide you're right for their dog, and just as importantly, how you decide the job's right for you.

Make a great impression

Turn up on time and make a fuss of the dog. Ask about them: routine, quirks, what they love, what sets them off. Be honest about what you can and can't take on, because owners trust straight talk.

What to check, by service

• Walks: how the dog is on lead, with other dogs and traffic, and their recall.
• Drop-ins and home sitting: access, the alarm, what's off limits, and the routine while you're there.
• Daycare and boarding: show the owner your space, the yard, and any other pets that'll be around.
• Overnight stays: the bedtime routine and how the dog settles.

It goes both ways. If the job or the dog isn't right for you, you can step back after the meet, no hard feelings. Better an honest no than a booking that doesn't work.