Probably not a popular take, but I feel like most big negative opinions in dog spaces come from misuse rather than inherent badness of the things. I know dogs who have been hugely helped in their socialization and reactivity by the mindful use of dog parks. I know dogs who get walks and freedom they would never have gotten in their homes without the appropriate use of a prong, training harness, or ecollar. I use a retractable leash for tracking and am currently using it to clean up play skills for mondio at my club's recommendation.
It's not an either or. You can use decompression hikes and controlled walks. You can teach your dog to calmly watch the world and also take them to appropriate dog parks or play groups. You can use an aversive tool gently or a gentle tool as an aversive.
There's nothing wrong with choosing not to use a certain tool, but there are so many broad strokes used that make people afraid to utilize something that might really increase their dog's quality of life or their own efficacy of communication.
Went to go meet a friend for lunch today and brought Forte. The restaurant is about two hours away so I knew it was going to be a long day.
I was a little anxious because it's a Hot Pot place which means limited room under the table and frequent visits from staff to change out the plate. Forte took about ten minutes to figure out a comfortable position for himself. But once he did he just dozed.
Aside from our waitress, who watched me direct him into the space, the staff serving us didn't even notice him. They complimented me on the way out though and said they hope to see us again soon.
After two hours in the restaurant we wondered around the Barnes and Noble next door for about 45 minutes. I paid him occasionally throughout but didn't have to manage him. He kept in a loose heel unless he moved to into a blocking position.
Really, really impressed with him. I rarely go out to eat and have never asked him to settle in such a cramped space for this long. But he took it all in stride and didn't miss a beat.
At the end he led me right to my car even though we came out from a different place than we'd entered.