Nail your Meet-Up with a New Housepawty Client

Here’s your cheat‑sheet for a silky‑smooth meet‑and‑greet that keeps owners chilled, pets happy, and scope-creep locked behind the baby‑gate.

Quick take

A winning meet‑up is built on a clear agenda, tangible guardrails (what you will and will not do), and calm, confident communication that reassures nervous humans. Put those pieces together and you can turn a “Hi, nice to meet you” into a confirmed booking before the kettle’s boiled.

1. Prep like a pro

Set out your Agenda

• The owner has read up on your service menu and chosen your service accordingly.
• This gives you the upper hand to run the meeting and intil confidence in the home-owner.
• Jot down the list of items that you need to deliver to keep your promise, working through them item by item - walk time, walk place, feeding time, etc, etc. 
• Keep a bit off leeway for extra requests, but be clear on the boundaries that are your no-go zones, and know that you can always walk away, no tears.
• If the sit involves your own pets or family popping in, flag it up front so there are zero surprises for the homeowner.

Pack your toolkit

• Bring a basic “first‑meet kit” – treats (check allergies first), poo bags, a lead, ID, and your Housepawty contract template ready to sign on the spot. Owners love a sitter who arrives organised.

2. Nail the first hello

Body language matters

• For dogs, think “no talk, no touch, no eye contact” until Fido makes the first move. It shows respect and prevents over‑arousal.
• Suggest a short “walk and talk” around the block; you’ll see leash manners in real time and the owner can relax into conversation.

Ask the right questions

Mix open questions (“How would you describe her temperament?”) with specifics:

• Litter box? Left alone how long? Triggers? Vet/medication info?
• Feeding, walk and bedtime schedules – note it all so you can mirror the routine later.

3. Set crystal‑clear scope

Draw the service line in sand

• Recap exactly what’s included (overnight stay, daily walk, plant watering) and what what your expectations are for sleeping arrangements, etc.
• One clear point of anxiety for home owners is tidying up and preparing a room for the sitter - letting them off the hook for this will score you major points, "just leave me some sheets and I'll figure the rest out".

4. Calm anxious owners

Show, don’t just tell

• Demo low‑stress handling techniques (slow strokes, soft voice) so they see their fur‑kid melting into bliss.
• Offer daily updates via their channel of choice – WhatsApp pics, short vids, or a cheeky “all good” meme. Lock that plan in advance.

Plan for separation wobblies

• Discuss comfort tricks like stuffed KONGs, pheromone diffusers or background TV to keep pets zen while they’re away.

5. Seal the deal and follow up

1. Summarise key points back to the owner (services, update cadence, pet quirks).
   
2. Pop the confirmed dates into your diary so you don't forget.
3. Send a friendly “can’t wait to hang with Fluffy” message 48 h before the sit – another anxiety buster.

Bonus: When to walk away

If red flags appear – a three‑hour “just pop over” meet‑up, dodgy instructions or an owner who won’t respect your boundaries – decline politely and move on. Protecting your time and sanity is part of being a pro.

Copy‑paste checklist for your next meet‑and‑greet

1. Prep your agenda per service booked
2. Pack kit (treats, lead, contract)
3. Safe intro, walk‑and‑talk
4. Ask routine, behaviour, medical, emergency and house‑rule questions
5. Confirm service and your expectations
6. Agree update schedule
7. Confirm diary entry
8. Send pre‑sit reminder

Print it, stick it to the fridge, and watch those meet‑and‑greets glide from hello to “Here’s the spare key” with zero sweat.