What happens at a small-dog meet-and-greet
Every dog meets Jeanna and Sofie at Glen Alla Park before their first visit. It is short, it is free, and it is the most important step.
Why a meet-and-greet comes first
I will not take a dog into the pack without meeting them first. It protects the dogs already here, and it protects the new dog from being dropped into a group that is not right for them. An hour at the park tells me more than any form ever could.
Where and with whom
We meet at Glen Alla Dog Park in Marina del Rey. Neutral ground, so no dog feels like someone is on their turf. I bring Sofie, my dog. She is the temperament tester. How a new dog reads her tells me most of what I need to know.
What the hour looks like
We take it slow. I watch the new dog settle in, how they approach Sofie, how they recover if something startles them. I am looking for calm, social energy, and a dog that can take a moment to think before reacting.
I am not looking for perfect. I am looking for safe. A shy dog who warms up is fine. A dog who needs a little space is fine. What is not fine is a dog who is looking for a fight.
What I ask beforehand
Before we pick a time, I ask a few quick questions in the booking flow. The dog’s weight, whether vaccinations are current, and any history of aggression toward other dogs. That screens out the clear mismatches before either of us drives to the park. Start the booking here.
It is free and short
The meet-and-greet does not cost anything and usually takes thirty to sixty minutes. If it is a fit, we book the first visit. If it is not, I will say so honestly and point you to someone who is.