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Field Notes & Guidance

Journal

Notes on hiking with dogs, training for city life, and keeping active dogs healthy, written by Christopher Mejo.

Featured Post
Featured Guide

Getting Your City Dog Ready for Its First Catskills Hike

Essential preparation for your urban dog's first mountain hike: fitness assessment, harness fitting, long-line recall, and trail safety.

By Christopher Mejo • Founder & Head Trainer
Read the Guide →
How to Socialize a Puppy in NYC
Puppy Development

How to Socialize a Puppy in NYC

Socializing a puppy in Manhattan during the 8-to-16-week window without overwhelming it: what to expose, how much, and when to back off.

By Christopher Mejo Jul 7, 2026
Feeding and Hydrating Your Dog on Long Hikes
Canine Nutrition

Feeding and Hydrating Your Dog on Long Hikes

What to feed before, during and after a full-day hike, how much water to carry, keeping raw food safe in the heat, and Giardia risk on trails.

By Christopher Mejo Jul 1, 2026
Stop Your Dog Lunging in the Elevator
Urban Behavioral Training

Stop Your Dog Lunging in the Elevator

Step-by-step training for calm elevator rides, quiet lobbies and polite doorway greetings in Manhattan apartment buildings.

By Christopher Mejo Jun 27, 2026
Mobility Service Dogs in NYC: Tasks and Access
Service Dog Standards

Mobility Service Dogs in NYC: Tasks and Access

What mobility service dogs are trained to do, the gear they use, how public access works under the ADA, and riding the subway with one.

By Christopher Mejo Jun 19, 2026
Pavement vs. Trails: Your Dog's Joints
Canine Physical Therapy

Pavement vs. Trails: Your Dog's Joints

How walking surface affects a dog's joints and feet, and how to mix city walks with softer ground as your dog ages.

By Christopher Mejo Jun 19, 2026
Ticks and Lyme Disease in the Catskills
Trail Safety

Ticks and Lyme Disease in the Catskills

Which ticks live in the Catskills and Hudson Valley, when they peak, how to check your dog after a hike, and why a preventive matters.

By Christopher Mejo Jun 11, 2026
Does a Day in the Woods Calm a City Dog?
Behavioral Science

Does a Day in the Woods Calm a City Dog?

What a day of hiking can and cannot do for an anxious city dog, and the signs that anxiety needs a trainer or a vet.

By Christopher Mejo Jun 8, 2026
What to Feed a Very Active Dog
Nutrition

What to Feed a Very Active Dog

Calories, protein, fat and timing for dogs that hike all day, and how to adjust portions between active and rest days.

By Christopher Mejo Jun 2, 2026