Recall issues 7 month old - best way help!

[polkadotpjs]

We have a 7 month old Patterdale/ border terrier cross who LOVES other dogs. He also loves a ball so we started trying a little off lead time with a ball and he did great.
I should say we've hired a dog field and recall was perfect - but there were no distractions there. First time he went off
I met a friend at the park who persuaded me to let him off to play with her dogs which he did, stayed close and came back to me when called. Did the same when I bumped into another friend whose dogs are chilled and he said ok to let ours off. Again perfect recall and came and stood by us while we chatted. Couple of subsequent times he's gone to other dogs on lead to sniff and I've immediately put back on lead and explained to owners he's young and I'm testing him out. They've all been fine as I've put straight back on lead.
Took him out this weekend with a friend and her very boisterous dog and he had a blast chasing and being chased. She nipped at him a couple of times when he was bugging her but he then went back on lead until calm then off again and had a good solo explore in the woods and came back great. BUT if I'm on my own and meet strange dogs he hares off to them and recall is unreliable at best. If he has a ball I can sometimes tempt him back, but most often have grabbed and put back on lead. There's no aggression just stupidly bouncing excitement.
Is there a way to manage this other than keep on lead unless I'm with friends and their dogs? He's very food motivated usually but if there's someone to play with , it's not such a draw. Is it hopeless or will he improve? I'm very conscious of other dogs and owners and don't want him to be a nuisance and will keep on lead if needed but he loves a run too!

have you got a long lead that can trail behind him for a bit? pup is younger now so we've just started using but I used them on my other dogs for ages (all of whom were totally over excitable with other dogs)

I also think it's a confidence thing. I am far more confident if I'm with someone else and not on my own and he's not haring off with strange dogs and I'm convinced the dog picks up on that and is less likely to respond (fgs!) - you might find that's the same with your dog.

it's also worth reading Total Recall by Pippa Mattinson if you haven't already

from memory, and it's been a while since I had a dog, it does get worse and then better again so there's definitely still hope!

I'm better with others yes even if just another adult and not more dogs so will try and exude calm and buy that book

My dog used to run up to any dog given the chance. He would have to say hello. He ended up on a long trailing lead for ages. The turning point was him becoming really interested in balls at 14 months. I have to take two out with me to keep his interest. One to hold while I throw the other. Ddog will bring back the ball because he wants the ball I’m carrying. He will ignore dogs now if I have a ball in my hand. I sometimes hide his ball for him to find. He enjoys searching for them, and it really helps to keep his focus on me when we are out.