Coindre Hall Dog Park Happenings

I just want to post this here because I know some of you ladies take your dogs there. 2 weeks ago the county began issuing $50 tickets to owners with their dogs off-leash. They took down the dog park signs and replaced them with signs saying all dogs must be on-leash. Apparently, there had been complaints from the neighbors about the off-leash dogs. There is a group of people working to get a large fenced area put up so we can still enjoy the dog park. I copied this from their website: If you would like to show your support for keeping Coindre Hall open as an off leash area for dogs you can call Suffolk CountyExecutive Levy's office and tell them how you feel about Coindre Hall. Numbers of supporters do help. Call 631 853 - 4235 and speak with Terry.

If you enjoy the dog park at Coindre Hall, please call and urge them to keep the park open to off-leash dogs.

wow - I had no idea! We actually haven't taken Golem there in quite some time bc he ran up the hill after someone who was running and he ran into the parking lot the last time we were there!! I think it's great to let him run around and all, but it's a little dangerous to not have anything to seperate the parking lot from teh park at least - he really could have been hurt!! He's still too young at the time to have that kind of off leash freedom in a non-fenced in area. We've taken him to Wantagh Park, but have only been there a few times since we started the obedience classes. I'm not sure about the dog parks now - our trainer said she never took her dogs and it's not a terrible thing if they don't go either.

It is hard to believe, there are more places to let dogs run in Manhattan than there are on Long Island!!!!

I'm taking Oscar to the city for the weekend.

Well until then there are a few dogs runs with fences:

Chistopher Morley Park
Cedar Creek Park
Wantagh Park
Bay Park

Helena, I'm really suprised that your trainer doesn't like dog parks -- they seem so important for doggy socialization. I have seen several under-socialized dogs having behaviorial consultations with my obedience instructor when I have arrived early for class. It's so sad, they just growl at the other dogs and have no idea how to interact with them; they're not bad dogs, they have just never been able to meet and play with different dogs.

The county was supposed to put up fences in 2003 when they sanctioned the dog park at Coindre Hall, but they never did. So, we're trying to get the fences up, instead of just having the park closed. It is so sad that there are more places to take your dog in Manhattan than here on Long Island!

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Posted by lesleyw

Helena, I'm really suprised that your trainer doesn't like dog parks -- they seem so important for doggy socialization. I have seen several under-socialized dogs having behaviorial consultations with my obedience instructor when I have arrived early for class. It's so sad, they just growl at the other dogs and have no idea how to interact with them; they're not bad dogs, they have just never been able to meet and play with different dogs.

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I was surprized at first too to hear her say that, and she also has large breed dogs - German Shepherds. We've brought Golem to the parks and everything bc I was so insistent on the whole socilization thing too, but our trainer made a good point in one of our classes and it really stuck with me. She said that just being around other dogs is socialization, things as simple as going to the vet, seeing dogs on walks, going to pet stores, and going to group training classes. These are all forms of socialization as well, and all are safe protected environments where you can control the level of your dog's interaction with other dogs at any given time. She doesn't recommend the parks only bc you don't know what other peoples dogs are like, you just know your dog. All it takes is one bad experience and all of your hard work socilazing your dog can turn around in a split second. She also mentioned that just because your dog might want to play with every other dog it sees, doesn't mean you are obligated to let him. It makes sense too - there is a puppy we see on our walks sometimes that Golem would LOVE to play with, but her owner told me she is not friendly around other dogs and that would be a bad mark on Golem if I were to let him play like he wanted to, and God forbid the other dog lashed out at him or tried to hurt him. Those are not experiences we want our dog to have, and I think that's kind of hard to control at a dog park around numerous other dogs. I still want to bring him to the parks every once in a while, don't get me wrong, but I'm not looking at it as the only way he's going to be socialized with other dogs either.

It's true that you can't control the other dogs at dog parks and you just have to hope their owners are smart enough not to bring an under-soccialized/ill-tempered dog to the parks. One of the reasons I continued obedience was to keep Satchmo around other dogs while he was going through adolescence. I still take him to the pet stores often, as well. I want him to be completely comfortable around other dogs in both play and non-play situations. I only wish there were more places I could take him.

I heard good news about Coindre Hall. The County Parks Commissioner is being really cooperative and they hope to have temporary fencing up in a few weeks.

I agree, we take Golem with us wherever we can. He is a very well socialized dog now and he just loves meeting new people and other animals too, but I also wish there were more places that dogs were allowed. We literally live right down the street from Eisenhower Park, and it's HUGE! Are dogs allowed there? NO - but there are hundreds of geese who roam freely and make more of a mess that any dog I've ever seen, it's so disgusting! There is so much wasted space in that park that would be so benefical for fenced in dog run areas... oh well - I'm glad to hear about the fence progress up at Coindre Hall though!

My trainer told me about another dog park in Huntington - it's off Deposit Road (NOT Depot) and next to an animal shelter. I love Condrie Hall, but am not comfortable letting her off leash. THis other park is smaller and fenced in - it's really nice and there were only 3 other dogs there the last time we went so it wasn't bad. AND you can let them off leash w/o a problem!

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Posted by jcndd

My trainer told me about another dog park in Huntington - it's off Deposit Road (NOT Depot) and next to an animal shelter. I love Condrie Hall, but am not comfortable letting her off leash. THis other park is smaller and fenced in - it's really nice and there were only 3 other dogs there the last time we went so it wasn't bad. AND you can let them off leash w/o a problem!

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We have been going there for the past week. Too bad not many people go. Maybe more people will start coming now because of the problems at Coindre. The people working for the fence for Coindre have founded a Non-Profit Organization called Friends of Long Island Dog Parks. They are trying to get more dog parks in the County Parks. Their website is www.hdog.org (they were originally Hdog, for Huntington Dog Owners, but are becoming Island wide). They haven't been able to update their website, but hopefully will have some new information soon.

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Posted by jcndd

My trainer told me about another dog park in Huntington - it's off Deposit Road (NOT Depot) and next to an animal shelter. I love Condrie Hall, but am not comfortable letting her off leash. THis other park is smaller and fenced in - it's really nice and there were only 3 other dogs there the last time we went so it wasn't bad. AND you can let them off leash w/o a problem!

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Sounds great. Oscar and I will have to try it. It's okay if there aren't a lot of dogs there at once. It's easier on me also.