Alternative to dog parks

[nicolendash]

So I am kind of getting the sense that most people here think dog parks aren't a great idea - I'm in agreement. My husband is very concerned about our DS getting lots of socialization and being good with other dogs. We have had mostly good experiences at dog parks but recently had a bad experience with an aggressive dog and some nasty wounds ensued. He doesn't initiate fights, but he does play too rough wrestling and doesn't stop when he should. I usually have to break off his play. He also has a tendency to bark/lunge at dogs that won't greet him on the sidewalk. I assume that's his protective instinct taking over.

My question: We live in a city (Toronto) which has dog parks, which are fenced but tend to be busy and at peak times FILLED with dogs, and then parks, in which it is illegal to have your dog off leash, and frankly I just don't feel comfortable having him off leash in an area where kids are roaming and he could bowl somebody over, etc. So what are some other options for exercise? We have a fenced backyard that is about thirty feet by thirty feet, not enough for our guy to get a good run going. I'm going to start Schutzhund or Flyball with him in August but that will be max 1x a week, maybe 2x and is a 50 minute drive to get to. I've been thinking about trying to take him for jogs? He does tend to get overexcited when I try and run with him but I imagine he can get over that with some training. Again though, even with me running that's a fast trot for him, not the gallop that he so loves.

[Owned-By-Hendrix]

Sounds more like he's over excited when seeing another dog (assuming the bark isn't deep, stance isn't aggressive, and hackles aren't up/growls before. I'm assuming its a high pitched bark with bouncing side to side and lunging). It happens when the dog has been over socialized without rules and is an easy fix with impulse control. At least, that's what I'm going off of based off an assumption! lol.

Jogging is always an option (start off with small distances with rest days in-between), as are industrial parks after hours, or more rural areas/nature preserves. I would be hesitant to let him off leash at 9 months unless his recall under distractions is rock solid. A rural area is different than a dog park.

Around the US there are agility centers you can rent by the hour, maybe there's something similar around you? You could also try hitting a dog park super early to see if it's empty, or maybe there's one that no one really goes to?