.... oh and I'm not saying that my dog is perfect. I've had my share of embarrassing moments when she's buggered off after another dog without permission. The difference is, I accept that that is totally my fault, and have upped the training and recall practise after apologising to the other owner.

I don't actually WANT my dog to spend much time playing with other dogs. I want her to see ME as the most interesting thing around. I want her to be sociable with other dogs but not overly fussed about them. If she constantly took it upon herself to approach others with enough enthusiasm to suggest that they were more interesting to her than I am, I'd be looking to rectify that - and have.