Fudge Update - things going well

Hi guys, not been around much lately as my 2 1/2 year old, 8 week old and fudge have been taking up all my time! Haha, there all have dinner at the minute so I thought I'd pop on with a update and also a query.

Fudge is now just over 5 months old and she's coming along greatly! She's putting a decent amount of weight/feeding well, house training is great apart from 1 - 2 wee's in house per day and for the past 3 weeks I've had her off lead for her entire walks on the local vale (25 - 30mins per walk) with no mither 95% of the time, she can meet other dogs/dog owners say hello and have a little play and then when I shout her back she comes trotting back and we continue our walk, the only time she doesn't listen to me at all is when she finds something that tickles her taste buds in the grass, lately it's been horse manure (yuck!) and I'm not sure how the best way to kick the habit is? I've tried just ignoring her and walking off which works after she's had a few gobbles of the stuff and I've also tried a firm 'no' and a quick stamp in her direction which only works when she's close by.

Also this afternoon when out on our walk a big Japanese Akita wearing a high vis vest and muzzle comes running over to us not listening to his owner, fudges tail went between her legs and I could tell she was nervous which has never happened before with her? Anyway fudge has a very quick run around getting chased by the Akita and then started a high pitched bark and showing her teeth which again hasn't happened before as she's a big softy. The Akitas owner was on the other side of the field and was having abit of trouble getting him back, I shouted fudge, she'd come running and the Akita followed, by this time fudge had stopped barking after I reassured her and gave her a stroke but I noticed she was running around with the Akita but every so open would show her teeth and snap her jaw together (only thing I can think of which is similar to the action is that of a crocodile! Haha). I have a feeling this was because fudge was nervous due to the Akitas size (but she's met fully grown german sheppards?) the fact he was wearing a muzzle and a high viz vest which is not something she's come across previously, has anybody elses dog reacted like this or any ideas why it happened? I'm not really worried as like I said previously she's been 100% with all other dogs met and is a big softie, I'm really just wanting reassurance that it's nothing to worry about and that all the socialising I've done is out of the window.

Sorry about the long post

Maybe it was the vest and muzzle? That would be my best guest if she's not come across this before, it probably just made her nervous and slightly defensive.

Doesn't sound like a serious thing,quite playfull intent? If it was serious i'm sure you would have had to step in,would have thought the akita just took her by suprise so she was sticking up for herself!

A lot of dogs don't like high vis jackets, I've no idea why. That, coupled with his size & the muzzle (which she probably has never seen before) made her a bit unsure & defensive.

It does sound like the akita was quite boistrous too, and over-sure of himself given that he ran strait over to you and ignored his owner. She was probably just nervous but being a puppy just showed her teeth to let him know she was wary.