greeting guests

[Michael360]

Hello! How many other host that live on premise make it a point to physically be home when your guest arrive? I try to be here to greet guest, especially since I have a dog that I do not cage and many people don't even know there is a dog even though it is in my listing. I am finding though that people are not showing up when they say, even though I contact everyone the morning of and ask ETA. It goes something like this, we'll be there at 2, then it goes to we'll be there at 4, then to 6, now it is before 10pm. My entire day has been ruined because I waited for these people all day. I have a key lock box outside my house that I use when I cannot be here. I'm thinking I am going to start using it more often becasue I can't have guest holing me up like that. But I wonder how uncomfortable people are going to be coming in here with noone here and the dog. She is super friendly and won't hurt a fly but other people don't understand that, and she is still a pup so she is very yappy!! I love her soooo much!!!! 

[Sandra126]

Let the guests know that you will be there at a time convenient to them (within your range). If they change the time, chances are that you will not be there, just the dog. They are welcome to let themselves in as long as they don't mind the dog! Show pic of dog doing meet and greet.

My own dog would not let anybody in without me there... Nor would anyone want to!

[Michael360]

Delia is 9 months old and my house is a very, very busy home. My art studio is in my home so it is really busy so she is used to a lot of people and having all kinds of people come in the house so she is fine with that. But I think you're right I am going to lay out parameters for when I will be home that day and those are the windows unless they would like to enter on their own of which they are welcome. Cool, thanks!!

[Ashley55]

I have my check in time in the evening when I know I will typically be home. If I'm not home I double check to make sure my guests are comfortable with dogs, I let them know to make sure to greet him and that his favorite spot to be scratched is behind his ear. All of the interactions when I'm not home have been great!

[City-Limits-Ranch0]

We are always home when guests arrive.  Occasionally  we might be asleep if their arrival was unexpectedly way outside our 3 to 8 pm check in window.  However, we require them to notify us of an ETA and we tell them up front that it is not appropriate to text us every half hour to say they will be a half hour later, for 6 hours!   Most people are quite considerate.

The guests cannot enter without us greeting them because we have 8 dogs that are running loose inside the gated entry.  Once they arrive they get a gate opener and as long as they drive in (not walk in) the dogs are unconcerned.

I would be mildly concerned that the guests could let your dog out into the big world while they are coming in and out.  Some people are so clueless about pets.  Could you confine her so that she can't run out the door if you can't be home when they arrive?

[City-Limits-Ranch0]

As you can see, my profile picture is one of the dogs.  I know we're 'supposed' to put a real picture but that dog is much nicer looking than I am.  I can honestly say I have had NO inquiries or reservations whatsoever where the guest did not know that there were dogs here.  Lots of dogs.  Big, small, well behaved adults and naughty puppies, old , young, barky and quiet, long hair,short hair, friendly and not so friendly.  Our guest last night had 3 dogs, some friends staying with us have 3, we have 8.  It was a dog party.

[Michael360]

She isn't a dasher so I'm not too worried about that. The only way she would run off the porch is if her ball went outside or she saw a squirrel or rabbit which are rare in the neighborhood. I like to be here to greet my guest but some people are just very inconsidrate of others and what may be going on in their life. I do not like to cage my animals, I tried having pets that have to be caged and it just was not for me, I cannot stand it and I won't put my animals through it. The vast majority have absolutely loved my home, my reviews are great but i want everyone to enjoy their stay and it just does not happen. boo!! Thanks for replying!! Have a wonderful day!!

[Karin29]

I have guests send me their ETA so I am sure I am home. As an author who lives and works in the upstairs loft, I am usually home. Check in is a noon, giving time for errands, exercising, ect. in the mornings and block days when I am gone.

[Michael360]

Do they always follow the ETA that they give you??

[Karin29]

1. I have guests send me their ETA so I am sure I am home.  Check in is at noon, giving time for errands, exercising, ect. in the mornings and block days when I am gone. As an author, I live upstairs and am usually home. There may come a time when I provide them with a key but haven't done so yet.