In my opinion - Dogs on leads.

[Stu]

Oh that's a good point Loiner.
My dog is absolutely horrid to other dogs when on the lead. She lunges and barks (but doesn't bite - she's a Sprocker and it's not really in their vocabulary). But it's a reaction thing.

Off the lead she neither barks nor shows any aggression and runs away squealing if anything lunges at her.

 

[Clint]

It's because you're probably tensing the lead sending signals to the dog. Try a floppy lead..

 

[YeastFace]

I have a beagle. A lead is essential at all times. She wants everyone to be her friend and gets upset when people ignore her when out for a walk.
I’m very aware of the fact that not all people like dogs or know certain breeds personalities so always keep the extendy lead short when passing people when out for a walk. If I let her off the lead her recall only lasts for as long as she dosnt pick up a good smell and heads off in search of the source.
I hate being out for a walk with her and a yappy ball of hair and teeth looks to pick a fight it can’t win. I have no problem telling the owner to control their dog or I will drop kick it as far as I can and score a point for Donegal like a gaa final.

Bang, over the bar.

 

[pilgrimhudd]

I think in some ways it's a shame, i'm happy to see dogs running around having fun but we had an issue where a big dog jumped up at my (then 6yr old) daughter, both paws on her shoulders and playfully licked her face. I was distracted and missed it happening but she screamed and screamed and it's taken literally years for her to be comfortable going to the beach again and is still scared of dogs.