And after they've attacked your dog ,they say "he's never done that before".!!!

Hi everyone - this is my first time on any forum but I empathised so much with some of the comments that I'm taking the opportunity to rant and tant before I explode as I'm so annoyed. I'm going to arm myself with the Jif lemon, a walking stick AND try the kick in the head next time I encounter the dog I did recently.  I've got a miniature poodle and we were on playing field when a woman with a dog walked on at the other end.  As it was wearing one of those harnesses with a strap over the nose I put Dilly on the lead to prevent her from rushing over and doing the 'You're on a lead and I'm not, ya boo!" dance round it.  However the woman took the lead off hers and it immediately belted over proceeding to try jumping on Dill who's no mardy and sturdily built but not a match for a dog twice her size and more.  Air snaps didn't deter the dog so I got in between both attempting to keep Dilly behind me, firmly saying 'no' and tried the Cesar Milan hiss but to no avail.  The sod kept leaping and circling round us.  I shouted to the owner that mine would bite if her's didn't stop and she replied that it would do her's good.  Eventually I picked Dill up, hoisting her as high as possible.  All the while this idiotic female stood at the end of the field just looking.  When I shouted again requesting she call her dog she replied that it was only playing!  I told her to just call it - she then proceeded to amble (yes, AMBLE) over whilst saying it's name in a really dopey conversational tone and ending the 'command' with PLEASE.  Naturally it ignored her completely and carried on harrassing us, at which point I shouted (she was still that far away) that it needed training.  Huffily she advised me they were attending training, he was only a puppy so what did I expect.  Eh?  Somehow it was my fault that her boisterous big dog was not under control. As she got within 10' of us the dog took off to evade capture and she veered away to go in chase (stroll) after it.  Having warned her that if it did it again I'd boot it, she got quite angry and informed me I obviously wasn't a dog lover and was a very stupid woman.  Well, that's me told!  Just because I don't want my dog to end up with a broken back, pelvis, leg or whatever it seems I'm stupid.  Can anyone advise other methods of dealing with dogs such as this?  Can anyone advise where I can get a little voodoo doll with pins for owner's such as this?

Hi everybody
       Im new here so please be gentle!! I absolutly agree with everything that everyone has said about dogs running up to your oldies/sick/nervous dogs and as I work at a very famous dog rescue shelter, I have full understanding of dog behaviour/body language/dog laws etc. My 10 month old westie unfortunaly does not have the knowledge that I do!! He is well-socialised, never aggressive, neutered,very playfull and quick to learn. He learnt all his obedience "tricks" at 3 months and will perform at a slight whisper or hand gesture from me. He comes back when called - most of the time. When no-one is around he is absolutly perfect. He reads other dogs well and if he thinks they are dodgy, he just wont go near them, end of story. If they are young, playfull or just "nice" dogs however, his recall training just goes straight out of the window. All he wants to do is get them to chase him, or walk next to them and their owners in whichever direction they are going (which is NEVER the direction Im going)! Ive tried treats, toys, walking away, everything. Obviously, I dont tell him off when he does come back, as much as he's wound me up! We practise his recall everyday, everywhere we go so its not as if he is rusty. He's just too bloody stubborn and independant! And I always apologise profusley to other dog owners as I try to catch him as I know how damned annoying it is! The problem is that I had a major knee operation 2 years ago which left me unable to run at any point (one quick step and my knee gives out, leaving me in a pile on the floor) which meant I HAD to instill this strong recall at a young age. To some though, this looks like Im not bothered that my dog is bugging theirs as I can only walk over to them and if he darts out of reach, I have to start again. He makes me look like the worst owner in the world - especially if I have my work uniform on!! So, just in case I bump into you guys anywhere - Honestly, I am a responsible dog owner, my dog is trained (just obstinante!), I do know how annoying my dog can be and I can only apologise ten times over!