Every great adventure starts with an introduction!
Before your dog joins us for group walks, daycare or an overnight stay, we like to get to know them — and you — at a free Meet & Greet.
It's our chance to learn what makes your hound special, understand their needs and make sure Hound Hero is the right fit.
And just as importantly, it's your chance to get to know us.
Why do we have Meet & Greets?
At Hound Hero, we believe great dog care starts with understanding the individual dog.
Some hounds are outgoing social butterflies who make friends wherever they go. Others take a little longer to find their confidence. Some love chasing a ball, while others would happily spend an entire afternoon investigating an interesting smell.
We love them all, but understanding their personalities helps us provide care that suits them.
Our Meet & Greets help us understand your dog's temperament, social behaviour, exercise needs and daily routines before welcoming them into our care.
Where do Meet & Greets take place?
We generally meet at a secure, fenced off-leash dog park in Melbourne's west.
It's a familiar type of environment for our group adventures, giving us an opportunity to see how your dog responds to new surroundings, other dogs and people.
We'll confirm the meeting location and arrangements with you beforehand.
What happens during the Meet & Greet?
There's no complicated interview or formal test. We're simply getting to know one another.
First, we'll introduce ourselves.
You'll meet the Hound Hero team and have an opportunity to ask about our services, routines and approach to caring for dogs.
Next, we'll get to know your dog.
We'll spend some time observing how your hound explores the environment, responds to us and interacts with other dogs when appropriate. We like to do this while walking around the park, as we find doing so encourages the dogs to interact and explore, rather than waiting for treats from their people!
We're interested in how they interact, what makes them comfortable and whether our small-group approach is a good match.
Then we'll talk about their routine.
We'll ask about things like:
Their personality and favourite activities
Their experience socialising with other dogs
Recall, lead manners and any behavioural challenges
Medical conditions, allergies or medications
Feeding, sleeping and exercise routines
Anything that makes them nervous or uncomfortable
This isn't about finding a perfectly behaved dog. It's about understanding what your hound needs to have a safe and enjoyable experience.
What should I bring?
You don't need much!
We recommend bringing:
Your dog, wearing a secure collar or well-fitted harness
A lead
Some of their favourite treats, if appropriate
Any questions you'd like to ask us
If your dog has particular medical, behavioural or dietary requirements, it's helpful to tell us about them beforehand.
What if my dog is nervous?
That's okay. Meeting new people in a new environment can be a big experience.
We won't rush introductions or force interactions.
Some dogs settle quickly, while others need time and space to feel comfortable.
We'll follow your dog's lead, observe their body language and discuss whether our services are suitable for them.
If we think your dog would benefit from a different approach, we'll talk through the options with you.
Will my dog meet Theodore?
Yes!
He's an experienced host who enjoys meeting visiting hounds, we bring him along to all our Meet & Greet ‘s. We also may bring along one of our regular pack members, but if they join us will depend on the arrangements and what is appropriate for your dog.
What happens afterwards?
After the Meet & Greet, we'll discuss whether Hound Hero is a good fit for your dog and which services best suit their needs.
If we're all happy to proceed, we'll help you finalise your Time To Pet account and arrange their first booking.
For some dogs, we may recommend starting with a group walk or daycare visit before a longer stay, helping them become familiar with us and their new surroundings.
Ready to join the pack?
Our Meet & Greets are completely free, with no obligation to book.
Whether you're looking for regular dog walking, daycare or somewhere comfortable for your dog to stay while you're away, we'd love to meet you both.
Register with Hound Hero and arrange your free Meet & Greet
Your hound's next adventure could be just around the corner!