Barrier frustration/ can some dogs not understand others?

[lexiedhb]

.............. the more my dog is exposed to things the more I think all his reactiveness is barrier frustration - obviously I can not have a Staff X weighing 30kg's bowling over to all and sundry, but his recall is pretty good- even around dogs he knows, (and will be better hen I get him back 24/7) so should I maybe grant him more freedom??
Anyone have a dog with barrier frustration and how did you over come it? - I "think" this may have been caused by myself and the Ex when we first got him - "no you cant say hello t every dog we meet- check on lead - continue"


Also does anyone else have a dog who really does not seem to understand other dogs? Case in point- today a dog he knows well had a pop at him for running up to fast when said dog was having a cuddle with his mum. A swift shout from us owners was all that was needed to stop this but Dex did not retaliate, came straight to me all waggy and happy ........ He had a similar thing when at dog "socialisation" seemed to look to me for guidance because he did not understand what the other dog barking at him wanted- to look away apparently- he did not seem to understand this- but shut down and became very withdrawn after sessions where I did not assist him.
Is t possible for dogs to not understand others............??

 

[CorvusCorax]

I think, like us hoomins, not all dogs have excellent social skills!

With the granting him freedoms thing....I have mixed feelings....obviously the more you restrict him, the more frustrated he will get, but equally he must not think 'if I throw teddy out of the pram then I get to go do what I want'.

My dog is very, very vocal, expresses frustration, squeals, but he learns, you must be quiet and looking at me, he gets the ball or the rag or the sleeve or whatever, and if he is really bad and in a tizzy then he goes back in the car.

I don't think there is any harm in letting him have more freedom with dogs he knows and gets on with.

If he is seeking guidance, give it to him, I used to think B was aggressive, he was actually scared and insecure (which sounds ridiculous when you look at the size he was) and I would actively stand in front of him or turn him away from things that upset him, it wasn't 'there there awwww cuddles' and I would never let him physically lean on me, it was 'it's OK, I'm in charge, I'll take care of this' - him being in that position was just way too stressful for him.
He found being in the company of most other dogs stressful so I did not force him to be social all the time, everywhere, because our circumstances mean there was no real need for it.

The first instance, the waggy tail, shows quick recovery so I would be less worries about that than I would a scrap breaking out.

 

[lexiedhb]

Have no problem assisting said "spesh" dog............. but always though animals could communicate with one another........ he was not fussed by todays event because mummy had stepped in, to sort it. He would never gain freedom whilst going apeshit- but was just thinking maybe just maybe I should trust him more.

Interestingly he sits on a blanket box behind the sofa infront of the window where he lives currently, and barks his arse off at any passing dog. Last time i stayed I went to him put my arm round him, told him it was ok- on sight of another dog and- no reaction- no squeak, no bark nowt, watched it walk by.. Bloody mummies boy!

I could never put him in a position where he shut down again- never seen such a stressed miserable dog- and it was all because I did not guide him