Question 1

How long is a Catskills hike day?

Accepted Answer

A hike day is about four hours on the trail, about ten hours door to door. This covers morning pickup, transit in our climate-controlled van, trail and water time, tick check, rinse, and evening drop-off.

Question 2

How many dogs and handlers go on each hike?

Accepted Answer

Every hike is led personally by founder Christopher Mejo with strictly at most four dogs (1:4 ratio). There are no secondary drivers, interns, or rotating walkers.

Question 3

What is your morning pickup and evening return schedule?

Accepted Answer

Morning pickups occur between 7:15 and 8:30 AM across Manhattan and Brooklyn. Evening drop-offs occur between 4:30 and 6:00 PM. We coordinate directly with your building doorman or concierge.

Question 4

What is required before booking a dog on a mountain hike?

Accepted Answer

Every new companion begins with a complimentary 30-minute in-person consultation with Christopher Mejo at your home or neighborhood park to review temperament and vaccines. Dogs with a verified AKC Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate can skip this step.

Question 5

My dog has never hiked off-leash. Can they come?

Accepted Answer

Yes. New dogs hike on a 30-foot biothane long line until their recall is thoroughly proven around other dogs, water, and wildlife.

Question 6

What safety equipment is used on the trail?

Accepted Answer

Every dog wears a Garmin Alpha satellite GPS collar monitored in real time. Christopher carries a canine trauma kit, splints, and a Garmin inReach satellite SOS messenger.

Question 7

What weather conditions cancel a hike?

Accepted Answer

We cancel for active lightning, a heat index above 85°F, or a wind chill below 15°F. If a hike is canceled for weather, you receive an immediate 100% account credit or refund.

Question 8

What is included in private grooming?

Accepted Answer

A Bath & Dry ($150) includes a warm botanical hydro-bath, coat conditioner, de-shedding by hand, a gentle hand dry, nail trim, ear cleaning, and paw balm. Haircuts ($195–$285) include custom scissoring and face/feet shaping.

Question 9

How much does an after-hike bath cost?

Accepted Answer

An after-hike bath is $95 added to any Catskills hike day. It includes a warm hydro-bath, undercarriage mud wash, 12-point tick inspection, and a hand dry so your dog returns home completely clean.

Question 10

Do you ever use cage dryers?

Accepted Answer

No. Cage dryers can overheat dogs, especially flat-faced breeds. Every dog is dried by hand with low-noise variable dryers and ear covers to protect hearing.

Question 11

My dog has itchy or allergic skin. Can you help?

Accepted Answer

Yes. I can use a gentle, hypoallergenic oatmeal formula or a medicated shampoo prescribed by your veterinarian. Treatment stays with your vet.

Question 12

What happens in a veterinary emergency on the trail?

Accepted Answer

Christopher administers immediate field stabilization. The primary 24-hour emergency hospital is Kingston Animal Hospital, located 12 to 15 minutes from our Woodstock and Overlook trailheads. Owners are notified immediately by phone and text.

Question 13

What vaccinations are mandatory?

Accepted Answer

All dogs must be current on Rabies, DHPP, and Bordetella vaccinations, plus active veterinarian-prescribed flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives.

Question 14

How do you protect against ticks and Lyme disease?

Accepted Answer

Year-round veterinary tick preventative is required. Every dog receives a 12-point hands-on tick inspection, undercarriage rinse, and towel dry before departure.

Question 15

Are you licensed and insured?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Gotham Paw carries a $2,000,000 commercial animal care liability and bonding policy covering door-to-door transit, trail activities, and property access.

Question 16

How much does a Catskills dog hike cost?

Accepted Answer

A single full-day hike is $250. Monthly memberships bring the rate down to $200–$225 per hike: Explorer ($450/mo, 2 hikes), Summit ($880/mo, 4 hikes), and Athlete ($1,600/mo, 8 hikes).

Question 17

What happens if I need to cancel with less than 48 hours notice?

Accepted Answer

Cancellations made 48 hours or more before pickup receive a full refund. Cancellations made between 24 and 48 hours receive a 100% account credit. Cancellations made inside 24 hours are charged the full fee, as spots are strictly capped at four dogs.

Question 18

Do unused member hikes roll over?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Up to two (2) unused monthly member hikes roll over into the following calendar month.

Question 19

Why does this cost more than a dog walker?

Accepted Answer

A hike day takes about ten hours door to door with at most four dogs, led personally by Christopher Mejo. It covers round-trip Sprinter transit, ~4 hours on mountain trails and creeks, Garmin GPS collars, post-hike grooming care, and full insurance.

Question 20

What training methods do you use?

Accepted Answer

We train strictly with force-free, positive reinforcement methods: reward markers, toys, high-value treats, long lines, and good management. We never use prong, choke, or shock collars.

Question 21

What does the 6-Week City Manners program cover?

Accepted Answer

Six 60-minute private lessons ($1,050) covering in-home focus, sidewalk loose-leash walking past food carts and bikes, and elevator and lobby composure.

Question 22

What is the difference between a service dog and an emotional support animal?

Accepted Answer

A service dog is task-trained to mitigate a specific disability and is legally protected under Title III of the ADA for public access. An emotional support animal provides comfort but is not task-trained and does not have ADA public access protections.

Question 23

What is your Off-Leash Recall course?

Accepted Answer

A 6-week curriculum ($1,250) consisting of four private lessons in NYC parks on a long line, followed by two full days running off-leash on private land in the Catskills.

Frequently asked questions

Catskills Dog Hikes & Trail Logistics

Private Grooming

Safety, Health & Emergency Protocols

Pricing, Memberships & Cancellations

Dog Training & Service Animal Preparation

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