Dog parks.

[2BigKIdz]

We have one in our county. There are 2 sides, one very large and the other about half the size. They are just open spaces. The other owners there told me that the small dog area is rarely used and there were dogs of all sizes in the big area. I took Kona once as he was very lonely after my older dog died, which is why we have Kali. He had a great time for the most part. While he was drinking another much larger dog approached the bowl and he attacked the dog, I quickly pulled him off. The other owners told me he would be fine, just leave them to work it out. I did allow him back down but after a couple of minutes he jumped on that dog again so I left and have not been back. He didn't hurt the other dog, just scared it but I didn't want to risk him hurting another dog or him getting hurt.

The best part was this huge German Shepherd was the regulator there! If dogs got into fights he broke it up, just butted in between the dogs and stood there. I've never seen anything like it, very cool! Apparently he always does that and the owners for the most part allow him to mediate between the dogs!

 

[Papa Deuce]

Since the OP, I have now taken my dogs to a dog park maybe 5 or 6 times. They like it, and I haven't seen anything even close to a fight between dogs. The "worst" I have seen was one dog snarl at another dog who was sniffing him.

It looks like the dogs mostly have an awesome time - except for my golden retriever, who doesn't want to have any fun with other dogs. She'll hang with my other dog, but she really doesn't interact with the other dogs very much.

 

[Liberty Belle]

We have two in our town (or two that I know of, anyway). They're basically fenced in spaces, no separation of big and little dogs. They have tennis balls inside for the dogs to play with, but I think those were probably donated by patrons. We've brought and left a couple, ourselves.

I've never seen a dog fight at one.

 

[Aisling]

It looks like the dogs mostly have an awesome time - except for my golden retriever, who doesn't want to have any fun with other dogs. She'll hang with my other dog, but she really doesn't interact with the other dogs very much.

That's ok. I'll bet she's having a good time just hanging out, enjoying all the other doggie scents everywhere, and watching the dogs playing.

 

[shortbun]

I walk down to the closest one with our neighbor and her dogs. That park is well maintained by the people who use it. The land was set aside by the metro parks folks. They do have a separate area for small dogs IF the owners want to use it but small dogs and large ones use the main area. An aggressive dog and it's owner are quickly informed of the rules as evidenced by one day I was there but it's the only time I've seen anything besides rough play and even that was curtailed and diverted by the owners. This is an off leash area but some people keep their dog friends on a leash for control. My neighbor has formed a dinner club with many of the other dog owners she's met down there. Oh - no toys allowed, apparently it causes trouble.