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?
Had the same problem for years. When my neighbor was diagnosed with cancer and covid just hit, she asked if I could take him for walks when I took my dog out. The only time he barked after that was when I was walking to the front door for a walky. Also, when my brother and his girlfriend live with me, her dog couldn't fucking stand me. I changed that with a slice of ham and taking her for a bike ride. The little angel would crawl into my back pack every morning wanting to go for a ride. Not an expert, but some dogs can be bought off fairly easily. Have fun in your garden, and I love your user name.
Yeah, sometimes for all you know your smell or way of moving vaguely reminds the dog of someone who was a shithead to them in the distant past. Showing you're a friend can go a long way.