Do you think other people with/without dogs tell me my dogs are aggressive because they are not comfortable or confident in how themselves or their own dog will react?

Big dogs make some people uncomfortable and without getting to know the dog, will judge them as aggessive. I wouldn’t worry about it.

Perhaps a simple demonstration of the obedience of the dogs would help? Next time they bark apparently aggressively, just stop them, reward them then go on. Those people who see you regularly will probably just think you are doing some training; those who are afraid will see the control. You might even be able to make a game of it, so the dogs get a bit of a bark, then a rest and a reward.

Very recently (over Christmas in the UK – not sure where you are) a woman was actually mauled to death by a dog, in her home. This sort of rare occurrence feeds out to ordinary people, who lack trust. Many ordinary people these days are not ‘dog wary’ and have no idea what a well trained dog looks like. If yours really are as obedient as you say, then demonstrating this publicly is a really good idea – for all dogs! lol

If you feel your dogs are unpredictable, then you are probably are correct. the same applies to my border collie. each dog has their own territory to protect. each dog has their own master to protect. my border collie is okay, just as long as my wife and i are together, at home. taking him out is another story. he is a herding dog and he barks at everyone and everything, when out of his home territory. we know this. this is why he is always on a leash and we give constant warnings to strangers, that want to pet him.

If you truly feel this way about your dogs, keep them on a leash and give warnings. people will sue you in a heartbeat, if one of your dogs bites someone. its called civil liability.

I think it does have to do with others knowledge and experience with an animal.

I have friends that are terrified of horses which I manage with ease.

I will say though that I always laugh when I hear someone say ” Ooooh, he/she would NEVER bite!”

Uh huh…

I always say, they have never bitten. I know the barking they do is not aggressive because they have had many dogs friends and always without incidence, they have also been raised with a cat, a guinea pig and 2 other toy dogs (for a brief time my MIL’s). My neighbor had a basset hound we used to walk together. The barking is pure alerting me they want to socialize, probably in dog terms they are trying to be dominant about socializing like the world is a big dog park. Maybe I should of been giving them more of this leash structure in the first years but instead for their first 2 years I got into the whole dog park craze and probably did too much off leash dog park—ing—lol.
I also very strongly believe that an unfulfilled dog gets into problems, it’s like being cooped up for a really long time emotions tend to take over. I feel that issues with dogs mauling people are not the breeds fault par say but the owner incapability to fulfill the dogs desires, which basically make the dog go haywire who wouldn’t? It’s hard to feel sorry for a dog that basically just ate it’s master because we are a visual society driven on what looks worse makes us feel worse.

I grew up with a golden lab. Best dog in the world ever. Well trained friendly and obedient, but also very protective of us kids and did bite strangers on the odd occasion.
A little more obedience training never goes astray and will only strengthen the relationship between you and your dogs.

I think your right more obedience is in order and a faster walking pace and slow pace running would probably give them more of a challenge. Then maybe they won’t be looking for animals to meet?