Small dog syndrome

[LHIS]

I have a 6yo spayed female Patterdale Terrier called Ruby. She is an absolute sweetie and a rescue pup, though I've had her since 11 months old.
As she has got older a bit of small dog syndrome seems to have set in, and one of the behaviours I have noticed is being a bit of a yob when on the lead and we're walking past other people.
For example, our morning walk consists of a walk around the block, all on pavement with no off-lead opportunities. We live near a primary school and at that time there's lots of people walking up and down our road.
Ruby spots them coming, hair on her back stands up a little, ears alert, and she walks with purpose towards them. As soon as they're close she'll get as close as I let her (by this point I've locked the lead) and she barks and growls at them. But she is usually in a play bow position and her stubby little tail is wagging, slowly.
Most people ignore her, but every now and then someone will overreact and it all turns into a bit of a scene.
When she does it I give her a firm 'no!' And whisk her away. It doesn't seem to be working though, and I don't want an asbo dog.
There doesn't seem to be a pattern with who she takes objection to, and it only happens sometimes.

Can anyone give me any advice on how to deal with this and teach her to ignore innocent passers-by?

She has nipped before and I don't want this behaviour to escalate.

Also, she does this both when she's full of beans, and if we've been out for a long walk and she's been off the lead and is tired.

 

[madlady]

I have a bit of an asbo collie.

She is a trained working dog and was brought up on a farm so isn't well socialised with people or other dogs. She's also quite nervous and her default is to bark. Like yours I never know who or what she is going to take offence to so most of the time she is on the lead. If I start feeling her get tense I pull her to one side and ask her to sit and she will get a tap with a finger and told to be quiet - this seems to work and she will sit nicely (and quietly) whilst whatever it is goes past. At first I used to keep a pocket full of biscuits and reward her whenever she sat nicely but she's got the hang of it now.

She does have the occasional lapse and there is one dog in particular who she has taken a dislike to and wants to fight so I have to haul her past him growling and snarling - luckily his owner is very understanding. I live in a small village so people do know her and are used to her but sometimes it's just blummin embarrassing!

I do try to walk her at unsociable times (when most other people are having their tea) as then she can be off lead and for the most part she is excellent - will come back on command and also lie down when 200 yards away but she just gets worried and barky when there are people around.

 

[LHIS]

Your Collie sounds a lot like Ruby. She is an ex working ratter and has the same lack of people and dog skills. She's also quite nervy (which is the reason she's nipped in the past).
I will try the food thing, she is massively food motivated and will sit in exchange for food.
I too try to keep her out of the way of others, but it would be nice to be able to walk her in a place with other people and not drawing attention to ourselves!