I don't have much experience with dogs, much less untrained off leash ones. One is pretty big (a lab maybe?) and always runs right up to me and my wife barking territorially whenever I'm out in my garden, and doesn't stop until one of my neighbor's kids comes and gets them. I've had dogs try to fight me before and they make me really nervous. I just want to touch grass :(
How should I be responding to the dog when this happens?
A dog that is cautious or untrusting will like the back of the had and scent trick unless they already have those things wired in their head for bad things. A barking or territorial dog will not give a shit and will try to defend the area and not get close to you to even bother sniffing. Lots of small dogs are the latter and can only ever be bullied into being quiet against non-threats.