I agree with your son on the dog parks. There is a lot of bad doggie behavior, as I said earlier in the thread, especially on introductions and bullying (some) other dogs. I can understand that lady was probably a little afraid to let her dog go in the park, but a bunch of dogs ganging up on another dog who's leashed as they're entering the park isn't a good situation, either. If one had started biting, a pack mentality could've ensued and there could've been a problem. Dogs can usually get away from other dogs when they're running free, and in a fun manner (depending on the personalities of the dogs; "weak" dogs probably shouldn't be at a dog park because they're at risk). Even my relatively small terrier can run amazingly fast, the big dogs can't catch him so it's a little comical to watch - but then at some point when he gets tired he turns around and stands his ground with his tail up and his chest out and the big dogs usually stop in their tracks knowing he's not an easy prey, he's a tough little guy. He was bitten once by a chocolate lab over a ball, which didn't make me too happy, but as I've said here, food, and sometimes toys, at dog parks can cause problems when dogs are willing to fight over them. Overall my dog loves dog parks and we go to many wherever we happen to be. But I prefer the ones that have a lot of places for the dogs to explore (and get away from other dogs who might be bothering them) to rectangular ones where there's little choice for dogs to be in eachothers' faces. But when in a dog park, good manners should apply. Dogs who are bothering other dogs should be redirected by owners, and that often doesn't happen, like it does at a training class. I, personally, have never had a problem with any pit bulls at a dog park. We were at one near a relative's house where it was almost all pit bulls, and I admit at first I was a little hesitant, but we went in and they were fine, primarily running around playing with eachother, and frankly, I was happy to see them letting out their energy in such a positive way, which is important for most dogs.