What Happens During A Dog Walking Meet & Greet?

A meet and greet turns a booking enquiry into a practical care plan. It gives your dog time to meet the walker at home and gives everyone a chance to cover the details that make future visits calm, secure and consistent.

A Calm Introduction At Home

The walker should avoid crowding your dog or forcing contact. Some dogs greet visitors enthusiastically; others prefer to watch from a distance. Allowing the dog to approach in their own time provides useful information and starts the relationship without pressure.

Have your dog’s usual walking equipment nearby. If door greetings are difficult, explain your normal management before the walker arrives so the entrance can be handled safely.

Talking Through The Daily Routine

You will discuss meal times, usual toilet habits, favourite routes, exercise level, rest, cues and any household rules. Mention what your dog enjoys as well as what they find difficult. A dog that dislikes bin lorries, worries near schools or becomes overexcited around squirrels needs a plan that reflects real life.

For a useful starting point, read how much walking dogs may need. Exercise targets should remain flexible and veterinary advice should guide health concerns.

Behaviour And Safety Questions

Expect questions about lead pulling, recall, dog-to-dog reactions, resource guarding, escape attempts, bite history and handling sensitivity. Honest answers do not automatically rule out care; they help the walker decide whether the service is suitable and what precautions are required.

Wag & Walk Middleton provides solo walks, so dogs are not mixed with unfamiliar client dogs. Dogs from the same household may walk together when that suits them.

Access, Keys And Home Security

Agree how the walker will enter, where keys are stored and how alarms, gates and internal doors should be handled. Point out anything unusual, such as a stiff lock or a door that must never be opened while the dog is loose. Confirm who else may be present in the property.

Key arrangements should be clear and discreet. Avoid putting identifying address details on loose key labels. Ask how keys are stored and what insurance protection applies.

Emergency And Veterinary Details

Provide your vet’s name and telephone number, an emergency contact and permission expectations if urgent care is needed while you cannot be reached. Share allergies, medication, relevant medical history and signs that are normal for your dog.

Make sure microchip and tag details are current. Show where a towel, water, harness, medication or carrier can be found. Preparation avoids rushed decisions later.

Agreeing Bookings And Communication

The walker should explain availability, arrival windows, pricing, cancellation terms and how reports are sent. Owners with fixed routines may prefer regular bookings; those with changing work patterns can ask about Flex Credits, which remain subject to availability.

Discuss photographs and privacy too. You should know whether images may be used publicly and be able to decline without affecting care.

What Happens After The Meeting?

If both sides are comfortable, the next step is usually to confirm paperwork, access and the first booking. The first walk may be deliberately simple so the dog can learn the new routine. Relationship building is not a race, particularly for cautious dogs.

Our solo walking services focus on familiarity, calm handling and useful communication. Owners of worried dogs may also find our guide to building confidence on walks helpful.

A Useful Meet And Greet Checklist

Before the appointment, collect the lead, harness, coat and any other equipment the walker may use. Write down the vet, emergency contact, feeding information, medication and alarm instructions so important details are not forgotten. Note your dog’s normal cues, favourite rewards, known triggers and any behaviour that could affect safe access or handling.

During the meeting, ask how visits are recorded, when you will receive updates and who provides care if the usual walker is unavailable. Confirm the permitted walking area, whether your dog may ever be off lead and what should happen in severe weather. Afterwards, take a moment to consider whether your questions were answered clearly and whether the walker respected your dog’s space. There is no need to rush a decision involving your home and dog.

Information To Update Later

The original care plan should not become outdated paperwork. Tell the walker when telephone numbers, vets, door codes or authorised contacts change. Share new health advice, medication, food sensitivities and behaviour promptly, even when they seem unrelated to walking. Replace worn equipment and demonstrate a new harness before expecting the walker to use it alone. If you move home or the dog’s routine changes substantially, arrange another conversation. Keeping information current is one of the simplest ways an owner can support safe, consistent care after a successful first meeting.

Helping Your Dog On The First Walk

Keep the dog’s routine as normal as possible and leave familiar equipment where agreed. Avoid introducing new food, a new harness and a new access arrangement on the same day. If your dog is cautious, the first booking may focus on familiarity rather than distance. Tell the walker how the dog behaved before departure and remain available by telephone where possible. Afterwards, compare the report with the dog’s behaviour at home and share anything useful. Small adjustments made early can prevent confusion and help the dog learn that the walker’s arrival predicts a safe, familiar routine.