If people paid attention to their animals when walking them, instead of yapping on their mobile phones, life would be a lot simpler. I've been out with mine, on a short lead, when another dog walker has come onto the field with theirs off lead, paying no attention to it, I've set off in the opposite direction and the other dog has followed me....legally, my dog is under control, but if the other dog gets too close and loses a chunk of skin, you can bet your butt the other owner will blame me, even though its patently their fault for allowing their animal to harass mine. Its almost always small dogs that are treated like this, and they rarely seem to have had any training (don't come when called, for example). My boy may not like other dogs, but he comes when called off lead and has even come back from chasing rabbits and squirrels. I've also called mine in on his long line when another dog approaches, and the stupid owner has watched me and STILL let their dog run up to mine.