I have a fear aggressive Border Terrier.
I would NOT have most of the issues we have if people bothered to RECALL their dogs. And because of that, I now choose walks carefully (where I can see in most directions what is coming).
Not all dogs want to interact, and it is an unhelpful myth that strange dogs should be meeting one another and playing. That often leads to uncontrolled 'playing' which easily spills over into aggression. It is ideal if dogs can go past one another at a sensible distance calmly (just as we don't need to interact with everyone outside, but stroll past without lunging at them!).
I am now starting to walk in more busy places as Scrabble improves, but still cautious. We have a yellow lead with NERVOUS on, but apparently, some people cannot read when they are standing next to you, deciding to announce that their dog is 'friendly'.
The standard response, of course, is: mine isn't!
A large German Shepherd approached her the other day, and we had no way to move in time. I picked her up. The GS owner becomes stroppy and says "She'll never be friendly if you do that". Well, it is not worth the risk. I can tell what dogs she is likely to react to based on their behavior, and the GS was just too full-on.
I occasionally allow very quick greetings if the other dog seems calm, and is not a small terrier (bad combo for her). A second or so is all a dog needs to get information from the other one and move on.
Sometimes, and I NEVER WOULD, I feel like letting Scrabble loose on one of these 'my dog is friendly' idiots to teach them a much needed lesson.
The lack of recall in many dogs baffles me: it is the no.1 thing you can do to ensure their safety. Both of mine have bombproof recall: your dog should turn on a sixpence and come back from distractions. If you regularly find yourself chasing your dog, then you have a problem. Don't blame me if my dog growls at yours for getting in her face. Wouldn't you be annoyed if a stranger did that to you? I would.
Scrabble has never bitten. It is a lot of posturing and hot air, though it does look unpleasant if you're unfamiliar with that behavior. It takes seconds to recall your dog. I am not even asking that you put it on lead: I just don't want it leaping on mine. A quick sniff? That is probably o.k. But if your dog is bouncy, and can seem intimidating to a smaller dog, please use commonsense and keep it away.
If you don't, then it is YOU who is responsible for it being told off by mine. I used to be apologetic, but no more. Have had enough when it is not mine running about out of control.
Also, don't think about it in terms of the on-lead dog being reactive: it might be ill, the owner might be doing training, or might simply want a quiet walk. It does not matter WHY a dog is on-lead. It is just basic consideration for those around you to keep a sensible distance.
Can you tell that owners unable to recall their dogs *** me right off? 