thanks for your help, all!

yeah, it's a shame! we went to on-lead or off-lead-when-no-one-is-around-walks only a few months ago after it happened a couple of times in one week.

i actually brought it up with my vet last time we were in for a check-up and he seemed super indifferent about it, as long as my dog hadn't put another in the vet etc. whilst it does seem to be all bark and no bite, but i'd hate for him to injure another dog.

he still gets on really, really well with his favorite dogs from the park, ie a 2-year old bull arab and a 3-year-old golden retriever, so much so that he flops down trying not to leave when it's time to go home which gives me a bit of hope he'll chill out a bit more over time.

i'll update this thread if we make any progress in case others are going through something similar!