I had two "puppy" incidents on consecutive days a few weeks ago.
First one, in the local woods, dog runs up to my 7yo who is standing still. I tried to put my hand down to distract for a sniff as the dog approached but the dog made a beeline for DS, jumps up into his waist leaving mud on his coat. DS is obviously startled and complains. Owner gets stroppy about a child having the audacity to exist and be distressed about his dog's actions. Just says it's a puppy, makes not attempt to recall, control, or train the dog.
Next day I'm running on quiet rural footpaths. See a dog, slow down, owner tries to call dog back but dog ignores and bounces up at and around me. Owner appologetic, "it's a puppy" and approaches to get it back on the lead.
In 12 months, I'd much rather meet dog 2 as while there was a lapse (and my children would have been distressed if present), the dog is making an effort to train the dog. That place is quiet enough to let the dog off with a low risk of dusturbance to others.
To be unappologetic about failing to train the puppy in an area where you are guaranteed to encounter families and other dogs is a faliure of meeting your responsibilities to your pet and society.
My DCs' mistrust of dogs is entirely down to too many encounters with uncontrolled dogs, right back to being sniffed around at in the pram including a dog trying to take food out of one's hand. Too many dogs that dwarf toddlers looming at them or knocking them over. I've trained my children to stand still and occasionally DS2 can gain enough confidence to ask the owner of a calm dog for a stroke but is too often set back by another encounter with an intimidating "friendly dog". I have been known to respond to "he's friendly!" with "my child isn't!".
I like dogs, just not the ones owned by feckless owners who ruin it for everyone else including the responsible owners.