what is your opinion on dog parks? are they safe?

Absolutely assess the other dogs there first. There are all kinds of people that go to dog parks. Some are really great, responsible people, and many are not.

My dogs are intact for showing purposes, but generally this is not a problem and they mind their manners well at the park. I do like to go during off-peak times, just so there's a smaller chance of other less well-behaved dogs. However every now and then there is an idiot there. Last week a couple brought their female who was in heat, and they didn't even know it! My dog sure did, though, and I ended up just taking him and leaving, because her scent was driving him insane.

Know thy dog, and know your surroundings. If someone comes in with a huge snarling bully breed with a giant spiked collar (which I have seen unfortunately), then you know it's probably time to leave. But if everyone seems well socialized, and your dog is getting along with everyone else, I see no reason why you shouldn't stay.

I've taken my dog to parks for awhile now, and it really depends on the park -- that is, on the people who use the park. My 40-lb dog was once chased and threatened by two dobermans wearing muzzles (the owner was an idiot; if a dog needs a muzzle, it should not be running at large) but I stood in front of her and yelled at the dobies, and they ran off.

I've never seen a serious fight, though once I did see several dogs gang up on a small terrier mix who had been harassing all the other dogs. The owners responded pretty fast and the little twerp was filthy but unhurt.

Assessing the other dogs is good common sense and you should probably do that every visit. I have a Lab mix myself and his favorite sparring partner in obedience class was a Boxer -- they're both high-energy dogs and I'm sure yours get a lot out of the park time.

Dog parks are very risky because way too many people take unsocialized, and even aggressive dogs, to them. The majority of pet owners haven't a clue how to read a dog's body language and that adds to the problems.

The dogs who get hurt are usually NOT the ones starting the problems.

You might be lucky. If you go to the dog park at the same time each day and there's usually the same, small group of dogs there that your dogs know and that you've already learned are friendly, you might be ok. Use caution and common sense and make sure your dogs' have a great recall. Be prepared to leave if you see a dog whose behaviour makes you unseasy at all.

i have been bringing my dogs to dog parks and beaches their entire lives with no incident so i think they are safe if an owner is aware ... i think they are safe for people who have trained and socialized their animals and also have a bit of a clue about dog behaviour and how to read it ... i watch for dogs that are out of control or showing pushiness or are just rude, and i leave if i see that ... only had to leave a handful of times in 20 years ... they are also not the cesspool of bacteria and disease people like to make them out to be ... i had my second dog going to dog parks before all her puppy shots and she never got sick, nor have i known a dog to get sick at either the dog parks or beaches i have gone to in 20 years ... i think you should keep an eye out for other dogs and what their behaviour is like ... if it is something you don't like, leave with your dogs, it is that simple ... and dogs that get attacked are nervous ones (lacking socialization so unable to respond normally when an unfamiliar dog wants a sniff) and the dogs that attack are the aggressive ones (and you can always tell those ones because their play is aggressive, usually the other dog it is playing with yelps) ... both of these kinds of dogs you want to avoid or just leave ... but as i said, in 20 years, never witnessed a full on dog fight and the beach i go to daily has every dog from the tiniest chihuahua to the largest great dane ... in fact the largest great dane picks up my dogs (14 pounds) frisbee with my dog still attached and walks into the water to get my dog to let go :O) can't get that kinda fun just walking on a leash :O)

i think dog parks are great. you just must watch the other dogs before letting yours go. i woud suggest talking with the other owners and asking about their dogs. also many people won'y bring their dog around if it has problems. i use to bring my dog to my local dog park, however, i actually stopped because the other owners wouldn't clean up after their dogs which i thought was a big problem. so just make sure you're courteous of others.

I happen to be one of those people who would never go to a dog park.

I would never go to a dog park, they are breeding grounds for diseases and fights.

dog park is a not a safe