You were the other guy at the ball park, weren't you?

Dogs should be able to run freely around an off leash ball park, that is what they are for!
That other guy is a jerk using threatening behaviour just because another dog went for his dogs ball.

if it were one of my dogs he threw his stick at he'd be retrieving it from his a***, dog should be on a leash.........dog park is an off leash area tosspot

At which point did I say he was under control?
I actually agree that he's kinda out of control (said so in my OP), so not sure what you're getting at. I take him there so he can have a good run/play... not for him to stay by my side.

I agree that dogs should be able to run freely, but they should also be under the control of their owners. I own a Rottweiler and an Akita. If you own dogs, are you honestly suggesting that you would be happy if they were playing with your dog while I was 100 metres away.

If you read what I said, you will note that I indicated that the other guy over reacted. However, he may have felt like the other owner wasn`t interested and felt he had to take matters into his own hands.

I accept that but, as I said above, put yourself in the other guy`s shoes for a minute, your dog was interfering with his time with his dog. Your dog was a long way from you and, by your own admission, out of control. What was he supposed to do?

Well, how about take a chill pill? It's just a ball, no one was getting hurt, and it happens to everyone all the time at the dog park. As mentioned by others, it seems to happen at all dog parks.
You obviously think it seems to be fair to lash out at dogs for this type of thing. Nice.

If you don't want other peoples dogs, chasing YOUR dogs balls, then don't take the balls to the dog park. The dog park is where you take your dogs to run wild and have fun ( a bit like one of those indoor kids parks) you keep an eye on your dog to make sure he is not getting into too much trouble with other dogs but it should be a chilled out place.

I rarely take my dog to the dog park as not all dogs relate well to Chows, I also leave him leashed up (20ft leash) but drop it. That way I do have some control on a dog that might get it into his head that he doesn't want to listen - a very Chowish trait, I have had no problems at the dog park and Henry has always listened....so far, he has chased other dogs balls, his aerodynamics usually mean he gets there last, he plays, he chases squirrels, he chases other dogs, he sniffs all the new sniffs and has a wonderful time - that's what dog parks are about - not some idiot threatening your dog because he saw a ball and he chased the ball, the dog does not know or care where the ball comes from.

Where did I say that it was OK for him to lash out at your dog? I said that he over reacted.

It doesn`t alter the fact that your dog, by your own admission, wasn`t under your control.

I tell you what - believe you did nothing wrong, believe everything was the other guy`s fault. It won`t affect my life, it won`t affect your life either.

Compensating for something are we?

He totally over reacted to a situation that he presumed would turn nasty (I would say anyway).

If YOU think that he needs a little more training - then go for it, so even though he might run 500 yards away, he can come right back when you call him.

I wouldn't let ours of his leash (should we ever need to take him for a walk) due to this very issue (ie "what??? - you want me to come back????? F**k you i'm playing with him and him and him and .......................) so an e-collar is definately on the cards

Perhaps 100m is a bit too far, but your dog wasn't harming anyone so the guy is a complete plonker. If anyone tied to hit my dog while he was just playing without any aggresion, I would give them the opportunity to sample the delights of Candian hospital food!!!!!! It can take just one aggresive act by a third party to change a dogs temperment towards strangers.

Plan 2 is to get another dog for yours to play with, a German Shepherd. Despite popular opinion they are soft and gentle dogs when treated properly, but noone in their right mind is going to go up to one and try to hit one

Well.... I feel for the OP for sure. Did seem like the other guy was a over the top.

Having said that...... I see you're in Sherwood park (Edmonton?) so it may well be different up there. But here in Calgary, the by-laws for off leash parks state that your dog can ONLY be off leash IF you have total recall with him. If he is away from you, no matter how far - if he doesn't come back to you when told, then he shouldn't be off leash.

It amazes me though, how many people think it's just that - off leash, no control, and dogs can go nuts kinda place. That's actually a very dangerous mind-set. You have numerous dogs of varying personalities, size and strength, not to mention the possibility of children running around.

Without everyone present having TOTAL control of their animals, it's potentially a recipe for disaster. My dog is very well behaved for the most part and he's well trained too. But total recall I haven't managed to achieve with him, so he never goes off leash outside our property.

It amazes me how many people drag their teeny tots behind them on a sled type thing at dog parks, you have all these dogs running around - some more excited than others and these babes at larger dogs head height, just doesn't seem safe to me.

These dog parks sound like one potentially huge toilet.

Quite!