Outings With Lady:
​Where to Go to Provide Her With Positive Socialization Experiences

As the weather gets nicer and we get closer to summer, many of us enjoy participating in outdoor activities – walking, street fairs, al fresco cafes, farmer’s markets (the possibilities are endless here in the beautiful Hudson Valley).  And so many of us would like to take our dogs with us to enjoy all the Hudson Valley has to offer – they are our best friends, after all. 

But if Lady isn’t used to public situations that include handling a lot of exciting or stressful stimuli at once, or if your dog lacks some confidence, bringing her to some of the more popular places (like the Walkway Over the Hudson, Rail Trail, or center of towns like Cold Spring or Rhinebeck) can do more harm to your dog than good (at least until she’s had practice in the right way to build her confidence and social skills).  The concept of a leisurely outing quickly turns into a frustration fest with a pulling and barking dog that lunges at everything around it and stays in a high state of arousal the whole time.  NOT the relaxing afternoon you were hoping for.  And Lady doesn’t learn how to handle these intense situations productively – instead, her anxiety or excitability can get worse over time.

The truth is, exposing your dogs to these kinds of social situations is a training experience.  In order to ensure that your dog can learn to handle these situations productively and appropriately, there are certain steps you should take to build her up to handle these kinds of situations a little at a time, without pressure – instead of throwing her into the fire and just expecting her to handle them her first time out of the gate.  You wouldn’t throw your five-year-old child into college, would you?  Of course not – he would inevitably fail because he wouldn’t yet have the knowledge or life skills to handle all that going to college (or off into the world on his own) entails. 

To read more about how to socialize your dog appropriately to build confidence and social skills, see my article “Building a Confident Canine Companion”.  But how do you choose WHEN and WHERE to take your dog for these kinds of exposures?  These are the questions to ask yourself:

• Is there plenty of space so I can work at whatever distance from distractions my dog needs to remain calm?
• Is there a way that we can quickly leave the situation in the event it becomes too overwhelming for my dog?
• Do I understand the body language my dog may be giving me that indicates she’s getting stressed?
• When is the best time of day/day of the week to take my dog – which days/times are less bustling than others?
• What is my agenda for this outing?  (For example, if your goal is to walk through the farmer’s market to pick vegetables for dinner, and you will be more focused on that than working with Lady, it’s better to leave Lady home.  During initial socialization outings to a new place/situation, you want to be able to give Lady most of your attention so you can help her succeed).

There are many opportunities out there, but here are some of my TOP PICKS of places to go in the Hudson Valley to set Lady up for positive socialization experiences…
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​Vanderbilt Mansion Historic Site, Hyde Park (119 Vanderbilt Park Rd) – Not only is the Vanderbilt estate a glimpse back into history, but it’s current presence is just as strong as ever and it features a huge amount of socialization opportunities for your dog.  People come from all around to tour the lovely estate grounds, including the gorgeous Italian Gardens.  I could sit here for hours relaxing in the sun, taking in the sights that pass, and feeling like I’m on a vacation though not far from home!  And all of this passive exposure (of just sitting and taking things in) is comfortable for your dog and great for building confidence.  Picnickers, strollers, joggers, other dogs – all from as close or far away as your dog needs since Vanderbilt offers over 200 acres.  In the summer, you might be able to catch a concert/event outside the Mansion – and with plenty of space to enjoy from afar, this is a good kind of event to attend with your dog sans pressure.

Thomas Bull Memorial Park, Montgomery (211 State Route 416). This expansive county park offers a plethora of amenities including plenty of walking space, a pond, stables, golf course and event pavilions, and is also home to Orange County’s first dog park.  The dog park brings plenty of dogs nearby (you do not even have to go in, as the area surrounding the dog park entrance is flat and easy for your dog to get exposure to other dogs at a safe distance).  Interestingly, scattered around the property are “workout” posts – it’s like being at the gym on a leisurely outing!  Has your dog ever seen you do a bicep curl, or ride an exercise bike?  You can practice asking her to sit or down as she watches you work out – building her skill of being able to sit or down in a variety of situations, and a great opportunity to watch something different if she’s never seen exercise equipment before.  No experience at the gym?  No problem!  Each workout station gives step-by-step directions for using the station, complete with pictures!

Long Dock Park, Beacon (Long Dock Road)– This riverfront park next-door to the Beacon train station is a peaceful escape that offers plenty of socialization opportunities.  On a weekend you will notice patrons picnicking, strolling with their little ones (the flat walkways are commonly filled with strollers and children on bikes), and fishermen at the end of the dock on Beacon Point looking for the day’s catch.  A garden trail running along the riverbank offers a couple of grated surfaces to walk over – perhaps a new experience that will build your dog’s underfooting reference library! – and rehabilitated wetlands that attract wildlife like squirrels, deer, and a variety of birds.  And if you want a longer but leisurely stroll, the mile-long attached Klara Sauer Trail spans from Long Dock to the entrance of Denning’s Point (where you can then continue to a beautiful hike loop if you choose).

Buttermilk Falls, Milton (220 North Road) – This place may be known for their award-winning inn, spa, and farm-to-table restaurant, but let’s not overlook the natural beauty and socialization opportunities that abound on these pleasant grounds.  This quaint locale features a working farm with, you guessed it, farm animals (donkey, alpacas, and chickens)!  Your dog can watch from the far side of the gravel parking lot near the farm and barn, or if she’s brave enough to approach will have the opportunity to touch noses with the donkey through the fence and possibly make a new friend.  Walking down the quiet driveway brings you to a scenic wooden bridge, where your dog can see what it’s like to look out onto the world below – including a pond with ducks and maybe even a swan or two.  Then there’s always the smell of good cooking wafting through the air during Henry’s restaurant hours – a pleasantry for you and a good distraction for your dog too!  Visit for the day or pamper yourself with an overnight stay or a spa treatment – you won’t be disappointed!  Lastly, take the trail that passes below the spa to witness the namesake of the property, the lovely Buttermilk Falls.

Algonquin Park, Newburgh (S Plank Road and Powder Mill Road) – A piece of Newburgh history lives on in this enjoyable park where socialization opportunities are plenty.  A fenced playground offers an opportunity for Lady to see lots of kids, and on a nice day you can even sit and watch a baseball or soccer game.   In the center of the park lies a refreshing stream.  Walk alongside it through the woods to several small watering holes including a beautiful waterfall and several wooden bridges – where Lady can practice walking over a different surface and listening to the noisy water repelling to the pool below.  You may even choose to check out some of the remaining historic ruins made of stone (from the Civil War era) or partake in a picnic near the old grill camps along the stream.

Cluett-Schantz Memorial Park, Milton (Route 9W) - For those who have grown up in the Marlboro/Milton area, this beloved park is informally known as “Round Pond.”  A paved walking trail around the pond offers experiences of geese and frogs, and many people come to walk or jog the loop with their four-legged friends.  On weekends throughout the summer you can usually find community events – like live music on Friday nights and a small farmer’s market on Sunday mornings.  And if you desire a short hike through the woods, there are a couple of hiking trails beginning from the soccer field and ending on the far side of “Long Pond” at the front of the park.  Take a break under the pavilion or walk to the dock over Round Pond to gaze down to fish and turtles in the water below.  If your pup is really brave, she may choose to walk over the miniature suspension bridge in the form of old playground equipment near the dock, but no dogs are allowed in the children’s formal playground on the other side of the park.  She may certainly see lots of kids there however – in the playground, or on bikes and scooters along the flat paved trail around the pond.

Kowanese Unique Area at Plum Point (90 Plum Point Lane) - This idyllic recreational park is one of the only parks in the area that offers a beach with sandy shores and lovely vistas of the Hudson Highlands and Storm King Mountain on the Hudson River gorge.  While swimming is not permitted at the park, it does come complete with a boat ramp, picnic tables, and hiking trails, and attracts all kinds of attention in nice weather for families and people with their dogs.  Allow your dog to join you for a picnic, or spend some time relaxing on the beach.  Has your dog ever had her toes in the sand? 

Bowdoin Park, Wappingers Falls (85 Sheafe Road) - I love that this park has plenty of space with a relaxing atmosphere – as no matter how bustling it is, there is always space to go to another area of the park to find some quiet.  There may be a lot going on here between the award-winning playground, ball fields, and pavilions that can be rented for private use, but with the size of the park, you won’t feel like any of this is right upon you and your dog.  If you’re up for a hike, there are 4+ miles of trails through the picturesque woods, including boardwalks where you can observe the wetlands and the Hudson’s wildlife.  And for a unique experience, visit the Maple Sugar Shed - where you can learn how to make maple syrup and even purchase some of Bowdoin Park’s own!

We all like to take advantage of the nice weather by getting out and about.  But remember – for Lady, it’s important to choose places to take her that are going to be a productive outlet for her energy while keeping her in a calm and stress-free emotional state so she can build her confidence at the same time.  I hope you enjoy this list of just some of the beautiful places the Hudson Valley has to offer you and your dog – and we’ll see you on the road!

Before being able to appropriately handle a highly stimulating environment, your dog may need socialization in small slices to build up her confidence for public and social situations.  This includes strengthening her connection to you around higher levels of distraction, as well as building her library of positive experiences and teaching her self-control.  For help in preparing your dog to handle more stimulating public environments, contact me at (845) 549-0896 or [email protected].  With all my experience working with guide dogs, I know a thing or two about how to build confidence in social situations and self-control in stimulating environments! 

​Written by Maria Huntoon, Maria G. Huntoon Canine Consulting Services