Hi, a chap in my village has a Collie bitch which charges my dogs, lunging, barking and growling, whenever our paths cross. I have asked him to put her on the lead several times, but he always says the same thing, 'She's just scared'. She hasn't bitten, but my dogs are getting increasingly agitated every time it happens, and although they always sit and look at me, my Rott has started to growl back at her, and is developing an aggressive attitude. What can I do?

walk somewhere else? no, seriously can you report it to the dog warden?

I have actually changed my walking time and route to try and avoid him, but today he was outside the house when husband took the dogs out!

I've had the same situation, seems to me these sort of stupid dog owners actually like their dogs threatening others but would be the first to scream should their dog get hurt from picking on the wrong one, as you've already asked him to restrain his dog and got no joy then its either a chat to the dog warden or change you dog walk route/time, Im afraid that type of owner is unlikely to make their dog behave on walks :-(

I find a chat to the dog warden and the local police works wonders............... ;)

You could always carry a pet corrector spray, comes in really handy when dogs misbehave especially when they are not expecting it.  I have used it a few times when dogs have become agressive to my dog.

Nervous collies may not respond very well to a sudden sound it could make things worse. 

We have one or two quite agressive dogs in our village that used to come up to one of my boys  quite nastily when he was on lead, the only thing that has kept them away is using the pet corrector spray, used it once on each of the dogs and it really worked, they don't come near anymore, I think the sound of the spray tends to make them run away, at least it can distract them to give you time to protect your dog.

Also you need to be very careful re your own dogs; at the end of the day this is still treating the symptom and not tackling the cause; the owner.