I can so relate. I have run into so many loose dogs when I walk my two. It is NOT good when you have a reactive dog. I try to stick my two behind me with a tight leash and step in front of them, and at the loose dog. I usually yell pretty loud too, but in a calm voice: "GO HOME. GET." Stuff like that.

It happens so much around here that I've thought about carrying something around like a spray that won't permanently harm the dogs - because I just can't take the chance of one of mine being attacked.

Like Glacier, I too feel bad yelling at them, especially if it is a case where they are lost, confused and scared. But my dogs do need to come first. And I will do anything to protect them.

When I just had Mickey, we were at the park, and he was on leash. These two JRT's came bolting at him (and this was a HUMAN park with off leash kids) and starting attacking, so I kicked them. Meanwhile, the owners were sitting on a picnic bench, and LAUGHING.