I have one male who although is not aggressive will approach other dogs and will stand 'in an aggressive manner'...it causes upset occasionally so he is NEVER alllowed off lead around other dogs...it is not a responsible thing to do.

Really? The thing is Cooper plays nicely off lead and has had no problems but because of his behavoir on lead we have muzzled him. But now we have muzzled him (which is just a precaution) we are getting comments from people... which is why he is back on the lead... because people on the various fields gave us disaproving looks. He just loves to be let of and have a run around. The muzzles there just incase he comes in contact with another dog. as a general rule we dont let him off where there are other dogs - but if another dog comes onto the field at least he has a muzzle... or does it just not work like that?

Someone said we should tell people he chases rabbits / squirrels which is why he is muzzled - just to put their mind at rest, but I am not sure.

u cud always say its there cos he eats stones! i have seen that b4

Its not a case of the comments.You said he jumped at another dog...not aggressively I know but if this had been the wrong dog and t had gone back at him how would you feel?
Until he can be trusted to either recall when other dogs are around or approach in a 'nicer' manner then it is best IMO and safer for him to be on lead.

If I start taking him to obediance - he will start to learn how to be social with other dogs wont he? Its just there are not many classes about in Nottm which I like. I would have liked to take him to one close to meet the dogs in the area but there isnt one...

Yes it would help....esp if you can find one like where I go where they do off lead socialisation training.
The other thing you can do is get chatting to other dog owners in the park and try and find people with freindly dogs who are willing to help you....
I know how frustrating it is....my boy would love to go and run and its made even worse by the fact that my other 2 go off lead all the time so he just has to watch.IMO its just not worth the risk...

Yes it would help....esp if you can find one like where I go where they do off lead socialisation training.
The other thing you can do is get chatting to other dog owners in the park and try and find people with freindly dogs who are willing to help you....
I know how frustrating it is....my boy would love to go and run and its made even worse by the fact that my other 2 go off lead all the time so he just has to watch.IMO its just not worth the risk...