I don't blame him if he's scared of other dogs jumping up on him. He's leashed and totally at their mercy, in his eyes. He can't run and get away due to the leash and feels trapped by it and panics. If you muzzle him, he'll feel even more defenseless and fearful, knowing he has nothing to defend himself with and he doesn't yet trust you to adequately make him feel safe in that situation. I'd use a big, one-button, automatic opening umbrella to whoosh open up before the two of you as off-leash dogs approach to discourage them coming near until he can learn other dogs won't hurt him even when he's on leash. It sounds as if he needs more socialization in short, short, frequent sessions.
__________________  Jeanie and Tibbe One must do the best one can. You may get some marks for a very imperfect answer: you will certainly get none for leaving the question alone. C. S. Lewis |