By all means, I asked for opinions.
No harm done, I do understand what you're saying.

Like I said I got every weekend, I've seen the people who you're like "I wonder what dog is even theirs...?" as they pay no attention to them, or the dogs that you're like "who owns this dog...?"

I've seen a couple spats between a dog or two, just my dog avoids most dogs in general, other then this huge saint barnard we see there every time we go. She'll say the whole sniff hello, then go on her way, and she seems to know 'this dog doesn't want to say hello'.

I don't think dog parks are for everyone, I will say that.

I'm wondering though, is there other reasons other then aggression issues at dog parks?

So far there hasn't been any pack leader problems, she listens just as well there, but does this influence bad pack behaviour?
Or are there certain diseases she could pick up from other dogs? She has the basic shots, and of course rabies.
This is what I'm mostly asking, she has her own water when she goes, so no sharing water, which I think would be the best thing.

Any other tips like that being at a dog park?

Oh Dennis,

Erica would kick his ass of that I am positive!

Thor's no fool though; he'd steer clear and ignore her....hmmmm... could that behavior be learnt at home because I think its what my husband is doing now?

Sorry Carly; back to dog parks and Dennis brings up a great point, even a well behaved dog has limits and there is no way to be sure of every dog in a park and it only takes one incident.

Dog parks!!????
Not on a bet.
I already have enough problems with people that think any park that allows dogs is a 'dog park'.

Thanks but no thanks, I don't need the melee a true dog park would afford.

 Quote: randy allen

I already have enough problems with people that think any park that allows dogs is a 'dog park'.

This is the bane of my existence in daily life. I rely heavily on parks for exercising my dog, but am constantly moving to try to find a corner with no off-leash dogs. There are signs posted everywhere about how "all dogs MUST be leashed" but apparently that doesn't pertain to 99% of the dog-owning public. I don't care if an approaching dog is friendly, I don't want it approaching. So few people seem to get that.

My experience with dog parks is primarily working outside the fence as a distraction. Sometimes the distraction ends up being a dog fight INside the fence. I'm never tempted to go in. Any rule requiring a list of shots would exclude me anyway...oh well.

I'm not anti doggie-interaction though. My dog does much better (less reactive, more focused, etc.) if he gets some 'dog time'.

I'm totally into my dog having time to be a dog and be with dogs, but the dogs he hangs with belong to people I know well who are in control. There's usually hiking involved, so the dogs are interacting off-leash, but are primarily concerned with forward movement and staying 'in orbit'; we aren't hanging around waiting for the dogs to find something to do. They seem to really enjoy it (we sure do) and it never feels like a free-for-all.

Many years ago, we'd take our first two dogs to the dog park. My Rott would run right through other dogs. Just level them. No aggression towards anything, just the physical difference between a Rott and Goldens and Labs.

 Quote: kristel smart

This is the bane of my existence in daily life. I rely heavily on parks for exercising my dog, but am constantly moving to try to find a corner with no off-leash dogs. There are signs posted everywhere about how "all dogs MUST be leashed" but apparently that doesn't pertain to 99% of the dog-owning public. I don't care if an approaching dog is friendly, I don't want it approaching. So few people seem to get that.

This is my pet peeve also. And it happens every single time im out with Tucker. Just this Saturday i was out walking him on some hiking trails. I spot a lady with two hyper golden's (who haven't yet spotted Tucker) so i ask her to call her dogs and leash them. She tries, but to no avail because they have now spotted Tucker and are heading towards us. As I proceed to deter the dogs from coming any closer (basically giving a few git's and stepping in front of Tucker)the lady shouts out "it's ok, they're both friendly!" (I guess she was offended that I would tell her dogs to get lost) to which I reply, "thats fine, but he's not!" And Tucker's not, this isn't just a plot to frighten her away. He has DA, and i can control it, but i'ld always prefer to just avoid it.
The one dog does turn back, not because he decided to listen to her, but because of my actions, but the other one still proceeds so i had to physically push the dog away.
So back they trot to the owner as i stand there and wait until she tries to get them under control. which takes about 5 minutes as one takes off for the creek and the other down a different path. She finally gets them coralled and leashes them.

The other dogs I saw that day were all leashed, or at least on a long line and the owners were considerate & respectable enough to call the dogs into a heel until we passed. Which i greatly appreciate, and do myself. Tucker is always on a long line and I am ALWAYS looking ahead and behind for people, bikes, rollerbladers and especially loose dogs.

I find that Dog Park owner's don't have that much consideration, and alot of them are of the "let them work it out on their own" mind set that just doesn't cut it with me. Either that or there's always that Testosterone filled male (sorry guys, but there's always one in the group) who is living vicariously through his tough and ready to rumble dog and always seems to enjoy it when his dog asserts itself and show's the dogs "who's boss". And because my mouth is always writing cheque's that my body can't cash (5'2 and 110 lbs soaking wet)....i have to avoid these type of people for my own safety....lol.

A client of mine's dog has picked up & needed to be treated for 3 different parasits over the last month alone due to 2x daily excursions to the local dogs park. The vet made a point of saying that the dog could have only gotten at least one of these from sniffing other dog's poop. He doesnn't walk the dog anywhere but the DP. He now has finally decided that it is not a good place to go with his puppy.

I would not step one foot into a dog park. There are plenty of idiots with unleashed out of control dogs outside the parks. I have had 2 attacks over the last year on & my dogs& the last one a couple of weeks ago on me as well, by an off leash out of control dog at one of the local school sport fields that I take & run my dogs. Both of the dogs had to go quite a distance to get to my dogs. (1 almost 2 acres away the most recent one almost 200 feet) The owners had no business having their dog off leash when they have absolutely no contol of them. My dogs run off lead with my complete control. Even when in the midst of an attack by another dog, my dogs will come to me when called & down by my side. The last time the attacking dog knocked me down to the ground & continued to attack my dogs while I was on the ground holding my dogs by their collars. This dog was standing on my legs biting at my dogs. The owner who finally came over chased his dog in a circle around me several times, until the dog ran off & then he chased him for another several minutes in the parking lot before he could catch him. Fortunately, neither my dogs or me where seriously hurt. The man threw his dog in his car & took off before I could call the police or get his plate number. I am sure that he will at somepoint return & I will call the police then. I did report this incident, but until I can get more info on the guy they can't do much. But at least if there is another attack they will have mine on file also. Since this is not a common breed of dog & I know what his car is, that will help narrow down the suspects should another dog of this breed be reported for an attack. If there is anything that I can do about it, this dog will be PTS. Any dog that is willing to stand on top of an owner & continue to attack their collar-held dogs should not be allowed to be alive with the chance of getting out in public! IMO. What if I had been a younger person? As it was I was dragged in a circle as my dogs tried to protect themselves. If I didn't have the control of my dogs that I do, they would have killed that dog. And I would have been the one whose dogs would have been blamed. It is just a matter of time before this idiot is charged & the dog taken away. Sorry, but not soon enough for me.

A very well controlled dog park may have its place but its not for me.. The best I have heard of is the one owner only.... I have no interest in a dog park for me and my dogs since we have 15 acres of land of which almost 2 is fenced.
I live minutes from Steve Hunecks gallery and dog chapel in Vermont it is used as a dog park for locals as well as visitors I have never been there as its a disaster waiting to happen.. Its a rural setting no fences, a pond which dogs have drowned, on a dirt road that dogs have been hit and many more have become lost. All this and I have assisted in stitching dogs at the vet after fights. It surprises how many people go there to let their dogs run.. Another location that is used here is a cemetery which I feel is very inappropriate. Both these locations are not fenced so they are very poor choices in many ways yet people still think they are great owners letting their dogs run free...

 Quote: Jackie McLaughlin

...people still think they are great owners letting their dogs run free...

Pretty much describes most of VT, eh?

I have been taking my gs female (spayed) to the dog park since
she was a pup. Never had a problem. All Males must be nutuered
when you go on a regular basis and regular time you see the
same people and same dogs. Sometimes a tussel happens and
owners are there immediately. I'm sure if I went and people
ignored these things I would not return. So far that has not
happened. Luna visits with owners and plays for a while and
then she sticks close to me while we walk and play ball. So
I believe that some parks are okay, some not so much. But I
don't believe there all bad.