Dog Park manners

I hate it when people in doggie parks don't understand how dogs play.  I have a puppy who i bring to the park... he's 4 1/2 months old, we went there today and he was chasing another dog and grabing his tail just playing... then the other dog would run after my dog and grab his tail... they were not hurting each other... jsut playing like dogs do... and the owner of the other dog came up to me and started yelling at me... your dogs biting my dogs tail.  I just looked at her but I felt like telling her if my dog was acaully biting his tail you would know it because your dog would be hurt... but i didn't say anything... i think that if someone doesn't know if dogs are playing or fighting they should ask someone before they get into a confrontation.
 
Jess

my dog park pet peeves:
people who don't pooper scoop
folks who ignore their dog's bad behavior or aggressiveness (or worse - those who comment "dogs will be dogs")
people who think it is their own private practice training area
people not holding their dogs while you try to leave - I end up with 20 dogs all trying to get out and go for a car ride with me and they all just sit and laugh. Jeez, Louise!
Leaving litter around because they are too tired to walk 5 feet to the garbage can
People who whine about getting slobber/ hair on their clothing - it is a DOG park, expect it
People who turn thier dogs out in the park, then go sit in the car to read, talk on the phone, etc
People who think thier kids should be allowed to run wild and misbehave
Dogs without tags/shots/dog park pass - If I pay for my pass, you should too
Dogs with an obvious problem - lame, mange, coughing their lungs up, etc (Come on, time to go)
People who pick on my big dog just because he is running around with the pack. This does not mean he is "attacking" FiFi the 5 pound poodle/etc with the haircut and barrette
(not picking on all small dog owners, just the 'type' who can't be around "those horrible, big beasts")
 
But it is still fun, so we keep going. I supposse I do stuff to annoy them too...

My biggest peeve is when toddlers arrive. In the presence of 20+ dogs, these toddlers are dangerously out of place, especially when their parents aren't as attentive as they should be. I have seen little rug rats get knocked down by huge dogs, I have seen the little rug rats yank and pull on dogs tails, and their parents must think it is cute. I say that toddlers should be leashed in a dog park. It is a DOG PARK after all. 

I wish we had a real dog park.....[&:]  We have a conservation area where people let their dogs off leash - but it's used by lots of other people and my lab just doesn't understand that EVERYONE doesn't want to visit with him. *sigh*  I wish we had somewhere we could go and run loose where it was allowed.....

Well, lets see-my little guy hated other dogs when we first adopted him, but after almost 3 years has gotten a lot better.  He is  the small dog who will stalk any male lab out there, he becomes very pervie at the park with male dogs.  He also has this new thing against huskys and like to run and bark after them. If he is bitten-it is his fault, i don't blame the owner of the other dog.  The other day, these people brought in their two dogs.  First, they were older than six months and not neutered.  Secondly, the two dogs went #2 at least 3x each.  They only picked up one of the 6 poops.   I was so pissed, i left.  They knew that their dog went, they decided to just argue about who was going to pick it up, and then didn't!  If it is that hard to pick up the poop, don't own a dog!

While dog parks can be wonderful, it's the people who make or break them.  My one experience with a dog park was not great and I've not gone out of my way looking for others.  I alternate mine throughout the week going to doggie day care where DS works so that they can play with dogs other than their own packmates, but I'm not eager to try a dog park again.

My dog park pet peeve?  NOT having one in the town where I live!
 
There is a regular park with trails that's not fenced in where people let their dogs off the leads anyway.  I don't, because I haven't had my dogs long.

Dont do dog parks period.  Dont trust other people's vet care, training, or control until I have seen them in other situations.  My dogs are competing in dog sport all over the place so it is not critical for them to get the dog park socialization. 
 
I love the concept, just not the current situations.  Guess I would want one that is more like a public swimming pool.  You know, like "dog guards"  and multiple areas, and posted rules with people employed to remind folks to follow them.  To many park stories seem like it is a free for all.  I have seen plenty of JQP owners who are absolutely clueless about dog behavior and interaction just in basic obedience classes.  A dog park is just not worth the risk in my mind.

I have never been to a dog park, there aren't any in my town, but honestly, I have no desire to go to one.  The main reason is I don't trust other people. [] Basically everyone's pet peeve's listed above would be mine as well so I wouldn't want to deal with it.  I took Dasher with me to the barn (which I rarely do) where he played with 4 barns dogs and that was enough for me.  He gets soicalization at agility class and at least there I feel confident that the people there know how to handlge themselves and thier dogs.  I know some people who live in the city a dog park is the only place for your dogs to play.  So you make the best of what you have.  I consider myself lucky that I have a large fenced in yard and other outlets besides a dog park. 

The city I live in is opening a dog park this summer. There was a lot of time and effort spent fund raising to be able to make it a reality. The plans for it look really nice. There will be a separate area for "small dogs" (owner's discretion which area your dog belongs in).
 
I don't have experience with dog parks. It is the socialization part that is appealing to me (for the dogs, that is). The people make me a bit nervous though. I guess we'll see how it goes...I've read all the comments above. I would hate to see any of those behaviors myself at a dog park I would go to.
 
Any other suggestions about introducing your dog to a dog park for the first time?  

I have to admit that sometimes it's hard to find the poop in a large park.  You can see your dog doing one, but by the time you walk across the field you can't find the dang thing.  My solution is to just find another one and pick it up - as long as one gets picked up for each one that's dropped, it will all even out in the end. []

ROTFL- the mysteriously dissapearing poo! I have found myself looking for something to pick up because I never could find my boys gifts. Don't want to get "the stare".
 
Dog parks (here) are great! Although I do have some peeves, but they don't all rear up at the same time. Course, I am one of those ballsy gals who will march right up to some chucklehead and say "Here's a bag so you can pick up your dogs crap" (just trying to be helpful to them, ha ha)

Actually, I find that little task much easier in the winter, especially if the day is pretty cold.  I just walk toward the pile that still has steam rising from it.[]

  Oh man I hate the disappearing poo event.  So I pick up any poo in the area.  Actually I fnd myself usually picking up at least one shovel load of other dogs poo when picking up mine own dogs mess.  I do it mainly because I know I will be the one to step in it. I don't like when people don't understand how dogs interact with each other.  They always think that their dog is being molested or something.