I worry a lot about other dogs. Bijou is still a pup at 8 months, and is friendly but still uncivilized (she will jump and get very happy/excited, which is often misinterpreted by other people and/or their dogs). There are several dogs in my neighborhood that "hang around" in their yard off leash and this is okay with me if I can clearly see the owner in close proximity. I figure that these dogs must be well-behaved and predictable in their behavior, and so I just continue walking. I don't invite their dogs over to meet Bijou, I just keep walking and talking to Bij. What scares me a bit are the few dogs that have invisible fences on my regular walking route (right around the corner from my house, so hard not to pass at least once during a walk) -- these dogs charge at the fence and bark like mad -- I always feel startled and I wonder if Bijou is interested or just as intimidated as I feel?! I walk very fast past that house! Bijou isn't huge at about 35+ lbs, but she's big enough that I can't pick her up and confidently assure her safety while in my arms. I adore walking Bijou but it's enough for me to try and teach her to heel, not pull on the leash, to walk adjacent to me and not in front, etc., without being terrified that she's going to be confronted by an unknown dog.

That said, there's a dog two houses away that does not like Bijou at all, and he's often off leash in their yard...he's come by a few times to growl and lunge at Bijou while we're doing the potty thing or playing together...he's my biggest worry. He's a beautiful dog, but he's huge and makes quite an impression. It's unfortunate he and Bijou aren't friends.