And why does Top Dog Pet Sitters require them?
At Top Dog Pet Sitters we require a “Meet and Greet” with our new clients. Meeting our clients and their pets is critical for a number of reasons. Whether you are using our services for dog-walking or pet sitting, we want to make sure everything goes smoothly while you’re away.
We Want To Understand Your Pet
Daily Habits: We want to know your pet’s routine. When do they eat? What route do you typically take for a dog walk? We quickly learned that if we take a different route, Dallas “puts on the brakes” and refuses to walk. What are their potty habits? Pets will have less anxiety when their humans are away if their routine is maintained. Daisy, a hamster, wants to roll around the house in her ball every day. If she does not get to, she is grumpy!
Food and Snacks: Details about what your pet eats, how much, and any special dietary needs are essential. We care for several dogs that want us to sit with them while they eat. We also care for pups that want to be hand fed, like Luna. Sugar is a shy gerbil that will not eat if we are watching. Does your pup get a treat after they potty or before bedtime?
Health Info: Information about any medications or health conditions is crucial to keep your pet healthy while you are away. What medications need to be administered and when, where are they kept? Does your pup take medication in a pill pocket or cheese? Or maybe your cat requires a pill shooter. Maverick is recovering from ACL surgery, has restrictions on physical activity and needs to be walked with a sling for support.
Personality: Understanding your pet’s quirks, likes, and dislikes helps us provide the best care. Does your pup have a favorite toy? Jenny loves her stuffed toy broccoli head. Pepper loves to play with human hair. Dallas is terrified of hot air ballons and school buses, so we do not walk him early in the morning when these triggers are an issue.
We like to build trust
Feeling comfortable: We want all our clients to have “peace of mind” when they are at work or out of town. Meeting in person helps clients feel more at ease about leaving pets and homes in our care. We enjoy connecting with clients that have some of the same interests as we do. Getting to know each other gives us an opportunity to understand preferences and expectations.
We like to meet the pets we’ll be caring for
First Impressions: We want to observe how your pet behaves and reacts to new people. Does your pup resource guard? Does your cat hide? This initial meeting helps your pet get used to someone new, making it less stressful when you’re away.
We need to check out the home
Supply locations: Knowing where things are, like the alarm box, food, water, and litter boxes, helps us navigate your home. Where are your trash bins located so that we can dispose of litter or get your bins out on trash days. What plants need to be watered and how often? Will we enter your home with a key in a lockbox or with a door/garage code?
Hiding spots: Knowing your pet’s favorite hiding spots helps us locate them. We know that Sasha, a blind pup, likes to sleep behind the sofa while Bo, a cat, prefers to sleep in a closet behind hanging pants.
Safety: We also want to make sure your home is safe for your pet while you are away. Can your pup escape through a fence that needs repair? Can your Great Dane reach items on kitchen counters?
We like to set expectations
Services Provided: At the Meet and Greet we will confirm the services provided, how often we will visit, and any specific tasks we need them to handle.
Emergency Plans: We believe in always having a “plan B”. This includes a backup plan for entering your home, vet information, and an emergency contact.
Gathering Details: All home and pet care instructions are captured in our pet sitting software. In addition, this is where clients acknowledge the contract and vet release form. The Meet and Greet gives us an opportunity to answer any questions and concerns.
Overall, the Meet and Greet is all about making sure your pet is well taken care of and you’re comfortable with using Top Dog Pet Sitters. It helps everyone know what to expect and keeps your pet happy and safe while you’re away.
Top Dog Pet Sitters provides pet sitting, dog walking, and related pet care services in the McKinney and Melissa areas of Texas. To learn more about how we can help your pets, check out our Services page, To see if we operate in your area, check out our Service Area page. To contact us directly, email us at TopDogPetSitters@Gmail.com or call us at (214) 244-1629.