My previous dog was very leash reactive and so we always crossed the street or I had her sit and put myself in between her and any passing dogs. I would let people who were getting close know that she wasn't friendly. Never had a person with a dog on leash that gave me a problem, they'd just say "hello" or "okay" and walk on by. Off leash dogs were an issue....

When another dog is coming and we're on the same side of the street AND when I want to, I have my dog sit and I call out to the person coming down the street. If they say their dog is friendly, the dogs sniff, humans exchange pleasantries, and we move on. When my dog is seated and waiting, if the person says no to meeting, my dog continues to sit while I give her a treat.

If I'm busy or don't want to stop, I'll cross the street or just keep walking straight by the other person and their dog. If their dog lunges and/or barks at mine (either in a way that they want to meet or an aggressive way), that's on them - I don't care and I'm going to keep moving and I expect my dog to as well. Occasionally, when I'm trying to do a quick pass by, my dog decides that she MUST bark and lunge at some particular dog, but she's on leash, can't do any harm except make noise, and I say "sorry" and keep walking.

I don’t know who my dog knows since I’m not the primary dog walker so I just avoid everyone on our walks. ESPECIALLY the folks who move to a driveway and sit their dog down. We hurry by. I’m not clueless.

Anonymous wrote:
No. But I have a strong, dog-reactive dog, who will tense up, bark, lunge and generally try to either play with or fight with other dogs - he can do both in quick succession - so I cross the road, unless the other owner signals that it’s fine and we let them have a session on the grass, ready to intervene at a moment’s notice.

Same here, except my dog can only meet other dogs *he already knows* while on leash, otherwise he gets aggressive and starts snarling, barking and lunging. So I always ALWAYS give lots of space unless it’s someone we know.

I wish all of you would use this good etiquette to try and understand when another person doesn’t want to “meet” your dog.

And for anyone wondering - as someone with a leash reactive dog, for the love of god DON't stop and loiter so your dog can say hello when I've pulled my dog off the sidewalk and have situated her to face away from you and be distracted by me and a treat. That's my way of saying that my dog will lunged and snarl at yours if you get too close and she decides she doesn't like your dog. So just keep on walking.