Eric Bleile has always loved dogs. Growing up in Maine, he was constantly outdoors—hiking, exploring, and spending time in nature alongside furry, four-legged friends.
His career path, which began in finance in Chicago and eventually landed him at a hedge fund in Stamford, followed a fairly traditional route—at first.
“A lot of companies didn’t make it through the financial crisis of 2008,” Bleile recalls. “Including the one I moved to Connecticut for.”
Finding a new job proved difficult. Most firms were looking for options traders with quant skills—“And that was not me!” he says with a laugh.
So Bleile pivoted, enrolling in a graduate program for financial risk management. This freed up his daytime hours, allowing him to pursue hobbies—playing golf, going to the gym, and hiking with his 135-pound Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, Tobias.
“When we were out on hikes, I’d see people with groups of dogs,” he says. “I thought, ‘I’m already doing this—why not turn it into something?’ So I made some business cards, put up a website, and started offering group dog hikes.”
Bleile continued his studies, still hoping of making himself more marketable in finance. But the hiking business kept growing, with more dogs joining the pack each week. By the time he graduated, Bleile had built a bona fide business—and the prospect of returning to a desk job did not appeal.
Nearly 14 years on, Active Dog is booming, with 45 transport vans, 60 employees, and close to 1,500 canine clients who enjoy regular outdoor adventures.
Tobias may have been the inspiration for Active Dog, but Bleile credits Cooper—his sweet, calm, up-for-anything golden retriever—with helping the company flourish.
“Every day I would say, ‘Cooper, ready to work?’ and his ears would perk up. He would wait for me to make the first move, grabbing van keys, then he would faithfully trot at my heels, following me out the company van, ready to begin his work day.”
Both Cooper and Tobias have since crossed the rainbow bridge, but Bleile and his wife, Tara, have a full house with three young sons—Casen, Brayden, and Everett—and three dogs: Rip, a Golden Retriever; Cammy, an English Cream Retriever; and Onyx, a Black Lab.
In addition to guided group nature hikes, Active Dog offers a range of services: boarding, grooming, private walks, and private hikes. But their signature offering—group hikes—is the most popular.
Dogs are picked up in custom-outfitted vans, with a max of 12 dogs per ride. Each group heads to one of three expansive properties owned by Bleile: a 200-acre farm in Bethlehem or one of two properties in Pawling—the first spanning 350 acres, the second 95 acres.
All breeds are welcome—their current roster ranges from Great Danes to toy poodles. The most important factor is how prospective dogs interact. So Bleile or one of his managers will come out for an initial meet-and-greet with potential clients—both two-legged and four-legged—to get a sense of compatibility.
“We go over everything in person to make sure it’s a good fit—for everyone,” Bleile explains. “We require dogs to hike with us at least once a week... consistency helps them get to know us, know the routine, the land, and the other dogs.”
New dogs stay leashed until they’re familiar with their surroundings, but most eventually graduate to hiking off-leash.
“Most dogs thrive in the pack environment,” says Bleile. “Over 90% transition to off-leash hikes.”
Groups are staggered to avoid overlap, and each hike lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Every day, in any weather, the Active Dog team is out hiking. After hitting the trails and splashing around in rivers, dogs are toweled off, then returned home. Photos and videos from the hike are uploaded so owners can see what their pups got up to that day.
“When we pick them up, the dogs know where they’re going,” Bleile says. “They’re vocal and excited. And on the way home, they’re usually passed out!”
For dogs that prefer solo time—or are skittish or aggressive—Active Dog also offers private walks and hikes with the same pick-up and drop-off service.
Just under an hour north of Ridgefield is Active Dog’s Bethlehem farm. In addition to daily group hikes, this 200-acre property also has a boarding facility. The former horse barn has been converted into a cozy, state-of-the-art kennel.
“The dogs have roomy quarters, and we work with a buddy system,” Bleile says. “They’re not alone—they’re with a friend they get along with.”
Something you won’t find at this oasis for furry friends? Crates, crushed rocks, or kennel runs. And expansion is already underway.
“We’re building a brand-new facility on the farm to help accommodate our clients’ needs during the busiest times of the year,” Bleile says. “There’s plenty of room to grow—and plenty of room for dogs to enjoy running around in the woods.”
If you’re someone who’s daunted by endless pick-ups and drop-offs, fear not. Active Dog’s door-to-door service makes boarding easy, with pick-up and drop-off available six days a week.
For boarding guests and regular hikers in Fairfield County, grooming services are also available—from bathing and brushing to breed-specific cuts, all handled by experienced groomers. It’s a full-on spa experience for your dog—relaxation included.
Active Dog is a one-of-a-kind company serving Ridgefield and surrounding towns. Instead of letting your pup languish at home all day, Bleile’s company gives them the opportunity to have an outdoor adventure.
For more information, please visit activedog.org. And follow along to see adorable photos of pups living their best lives @activedogllc.