H'mmm... I think there's some merit to the theory that dogs only bite you when you think they're going to. I've been stuffed into many situations involving unfamiliar pets (including the ones where the owners say "don't worry, he WILL bite") and haven't been bit yet. Nine times out of ten the dog runs at me barking, sniffs a bit, and walks off. On the rare occasion it'll stand there barking incessantly, running back and forth, or engaging in some other demonstration of peculiar behavior. Most dogs like me. The rest seem afraid of me. Works well.
A friend's dog bites everyone - including its owners. The first time I was there, it was calmly sitting on the floor next to me within 5 minutes.
All that bullcrap about dogs sensing your fear isn't bullcrap, I don't think.
