Plus his stupid charge randomly locks on & changes directions with you when you move out of his path.
Yep! That happens. I don't know if it's lag or if it was intended, but that's why it's a dangerous move that you always have to be prepared for.
Getting a food boost that gives +40 or +50 health is ideal. The Ingot armour has +25 thunder and +10 dragon resistance, which are its two most troublesome attacks (though if we are sleep-bombing it, it will likely not fly, and therefore won't use the thunder attack). It's got -10 fire, but the fireball is fairly easy to avoid once you learn how to see it coming. You could still negate it by using decorations, a food boost, or firedouse berries.
Dragon resistance would be the most important type to have, though. Also, if you have a fully-upgraded one, use an ice or water weapon. Though a lot of people tend to use dragon weapons since they usually have the highest attack; if you have one such weapon, that would work as well.