Dog parks...

don't take him into the dog park on his leash!

I would maybe go by the park without him first, and just try to check out the dynamic. 

Go later in the evening since there is a "yappy hour" at most off leash parks.

Don't have him on a leash - you will probably be surprised at how close he sticks to you in a new environment.  Let him run and play and do his thing then call him, if he doesn't come run away from him and he's sure to chase you.

Don't take any treats with you as other dogs will smell them a mile away (mine do).

When you get there if you feel uncomfortable or he looks nervous/scared then don't go in.

RidgebackGermansShep

don't take him into the dog park on his leash!

I'm worried that he might actually hurt a smaller dog trying to play with it....he gets very rough, in true Lab form.

RidgebackGermansShep

I would maybe go by the park without him first, and just try to check out the dynamic. 

Thats a good idea

Good advice from everyone, especially the "no leash" rule.  And don't be too worried about recall.  I'm assuming the dog park is fenced and sometimes trying to get a dog out - if they're running around having a good time or if they've found a special friend to play with - is kind of like trying to drag a 5 yr. old out of Disneyland.

Joyce

dogs on leashes often feel trapped. You do not want to let your dog meet strange dogs while he's on a leash- you may very well cause a fight. You do not want your dog wrapping a flexi around someone or someone's dog and giving them severe rope burn either.

When I first took Woobie, I went during a time when there weren't many dogs (just 1 actually) and I watched first.  Then I went closer to "happy hour" (after work, usually from 4-7) but before it was really crowded (maybe 5 dogs) and left when it started to fill up.  I also read a book about dog body language so I could have a better idea of how stressed Woobie was and leave before he got upset.  Luckily, he likes dogs more than people and acclimated quickly and loves the dog park.  Ours has rules that you can't have them on leash (for the reasons mentioned above) and you can't bring food in (same reasons).  If the park has the right mix it can be a very positive fun experience, but one bad egg can spoil the whole thing and sometimes there are clueless owners who ruin it.  Just be aware and feel free to leave if you or your dog don't feel comfortable.  And have fun! 

 This is the same dog that is scared to go into Petsmart, right? I wouldn't take him. JMO

Yes, same dog.

I've been thinking about his Petsmart fear....he was fine outside, with all the people coming and going and dogs in the adoption kennels, and only showed fear indoors....so he should be fine at a dog park.

unlikely. I suspect that less than 20% of dogs actually enjoy the "mosh pit" type of dog parks- they can be really scary and stressful or boring for many dogs. Most dogs enjoy playing with a few select friends, not being thrown into a crowd of strangers. I go sometimes to see what's going on in the local dog community and see a lot of owners ignoring their bored/stressed dogs while claiming the dogs love it and using the park as an excuse to not properly exercise and train their dog. "oh he spent the evening at the dog park, he doesn't need a run" when all he did was wander aimlessly about and sniff a few dogs. Now, off-leash dog parks that have trails and fields and ponds are a totally different story, there you can work with the dog yourself, easily remove yourself from irritating dogs/owners, and actually exercise and let the dog enjoy himself.

 A retracable leash is a REALLY BAD IDEA for a dog park. Dogs get running real fast and can't necissarly see that tiny little leash. It's an injury waiting to happen. Leashes in dog parks are a bad idea in general. I would not worry about recall. If it is a fenced in park, there's no real need to worry. most dogs stay near their owners - or at least keep them in their sights.

Ok, no leash.

It's an off-leash park....but I'm not sure how big, it's in the city so I don't expect it to be more then a few acres.

Edit : found a site with info on it....5 acres with 2 seperate fences for large and small dogs.

That sounds like a good park.  Sam won't be able to bowl over a smaller dog if they are in separate areas.

If you can, go in the middle of the day when it is normally slower.  I usually go in and let M&M say hello to a few dogs then I start walking around the perimeter.  M&M run around and back and forth but they keep me as their center point.

Knowing your dog really well and being able to read Sam's body language is key to having a succesful visit.  Once you are there and if Sam is enjoying himself you can use your skill to read other dogs and move away from them is you sense something is going to happen.

Good luck - I love our time at the park as M&M really enjoy it and I have a good walk with them.

Looks like they just opened up a new off leash area at Riverside Park.  From the description in the newspaper it sounds really nice.  The only thing I don't agree with is the benches for owners to sit on.  IMHO I think that the owners should be exercising and interacting with their dogs, not sitting on the side lines where they are too far away to control or avoid a situation.

 Oh geez, that's great!  My park is the size of a football field, fenced in with no entertaining features, just a big field.  2.5 acres a piece sounds like alot of elbow room.  Woobie's very fearful and skittish and did great at the park, he's very dog friendly.  I would ease into it, going when it's not so crowded and be keyed into your dog's stress signs so it's always a good experience.