LOL. Thanks hali. I think you explained this better than I was struggling to!

Now, that is a great idea. Got them in Denmark as well. Small dog times, big dog times, all dog times.

Waving them over?

Great idea, don't think we have anything like that here

LOL. I tried that. People around my area think you're gonna mug them and head for the hills! LOL

Yep we do! The only people that come and talk to us are chavy kids. I feel like i need subtitles . . .

'Like that dogs wicked, well bad innit'

I think I have more than enough to carry as it is. I've found it easy enough to train my dogs not to go running up to others, and to be neutral when others approach them. I've also trained them to "walk on" and "ignore" and don't feel the need to put them on leads. If others put theirs on lead then we tend to give them a wide berth unless they say otherwise. Or if we meet on a very narrow path I will step aside into the undergrowth with mine and wait or ask them to do the same while we walk calmly by. I actually don't object to anyone coming over with their dog either on or off lead, and if I think the approaching dog is a bit full on and away from its owner I will step forward and greet it/ or tell it to b*gger off (depending on its intentions) before it reaches my dogs.

Yep, that's what I do - if I see someone coming towards me who has a dog on a lead, then mine go on their leads (even though this actually makes Bryan aggressive, but that's my problem).

I understand that people want their dogs to play, but in turn you have to understand that some people don't want your dogs to play with their dogs. Sometimes they have good reason, sometimes they don't, but it's their dog so it's up to them

I think it's a great idea, however instead of bulky flags, somebody could invent a 3 colour LED keychain, so you can "flash" (in the non naughty way ) at people. If something like this was marketed by the right people it would soon catch on I think. Obviously not everyone would use it, but a lot would I'm sure.

That would get some strange looks at best, a punch in the mouth at worst.
Definitely wouldn't pass the Dragons Den