Why Does The 'family' Dog Always Attack/blame Me?

[matrix2021]

I live in a shared house; myself (24) and two friends, Ste (25) and Laura (26). We have been living together for a few years and Ste decided to get a dog, a Boxer puppy which he strangely called.... Ralph? (he thought it would be hilarious to call him Ralph so when you shout his name, you sound like you're actually barking, try it, it really does) Anyway, at a few months old, I was the main person at home doing the general puppy training, walks, feeding etc, and it was said that because of the time I spent with him, he would naturally see me as his owner/dad - how wrong was that thought process.

After about a year old, he had become quite the developed and well trained dog - having friends who owner Boxer dogs they are apparently inherently a tad hyperactive, boisterous, and as one friend said....proper thick! Well to me Ralph was quite intelligent, obedient and very sociable with other dogs (the only time he ever went OTT, was with the smaller 'yappy' dogs that he would dominate by doing an infamous two-paw boxer punch and literally lie on them until submission). Whatever, he can't be perfect, in general I thought I'd done a very good job in this early years upbringing.

So at just over a year, we'd all been out and came home highly intoxicated, me and Ste (the official owner but almost absent father) had a trivial discussion about nothing, voices were raised and it turned into a stupid little play fight. Ralph charged into the room, sat beside Ste and started barking at me, jumped at me on the sofa and started frantically nibbling my hand (it didn't hurt, but with little growls it seemed like a warning) I was like woaaah, chill out, if anything you should be protecting me, I'm at the disadvantage being quite slim and not built like a brick sh*t house like Ste. But no, he sided with Ste.

This would continue to be the case for months, not just at random play fighting, but at times when I'd tell a story and become quite animated, Ralph would get protective of Ste and start pulling at my socks, nibbling my fingers or jumping up at me with a few growls thrown in for good measure. You would think at this stage I'd been some dog-hating tormenter that has been continuously cruel to him during his puppy days, but this just isn't the case - I don't understand his allegiance to Ste or why he would 'attack' me over some loud story-telling.

What's more baffling, is when we have friends over, he will always side with them. He will come to me, start barking, doing his usual jumping, nibbling/biting ritual even if we are just sitting there watching TV. However, the most confusing thing is if Ste, Laura or any of our friends are again just messing about whether it be play fighting, talking loudly, singing, dancing - Ralph will come to me and bark as if its my fault. We put it to the test to see who he would protect between Ste and Laura if they were fighting, so they would gently slap each other to make a sound, he would bark frantically at me as if it was my fault. Again, my friend John and Ste would pretend to be fighting, Ralph would be jumping at me barking with his hackles raised, like seriously, you would think I'd tortured this dog from birth, but I've never as much as tapped him on the nose for misbehaving.

Question is, why? Why does he act like this? Does he see me as the weakest housemate? Can he sense my lack authority or being the youngest amongst my friends? Does he see Ste and Laura as mother and father and me as his 'plaything'? Or does he just sense the evil within that I'm the devil encased in human flesh? (dogs have a good nose for these things they all tell me).

[pixie373]

No. I think he sees you as the leader, actually, and is telling you to sort it out.

[stewey]

Well, to keep a long story short, which obviously you haven't, I would suggest that a young dog should not be exposed to the trials and tribulations of the obvious mayhem in which you and your roommates exist.

[IggyB]

I'm no expert but it does sound like you could do with a little bit more training time with the pup, if he is reacting to singing or playing in an aggressive way then you should be quite strict and remove him from the room and tell him off, he will be happier in the long run if he learns its not his job to protect people in the house.

[rockyracoon]

I agree with Pixie, me and one of the smaller racoons were having a play fight a couple of weeks ago and my dog grabbed my hands and legs in a effort to stop the shenanigans (I am like you, with the dog all day), yet a fella was helping with garden a while ago and he pushed me, albeit playfully but the dog flew at him very aggressively to protect me.

Ralph wanted his family to stop what they were doing as it upset him and he feels you would be the one to sort it.

[boxtops]

He's asking you for help - you need to take control. Stop testing him, he doesn't think it's fun, it's upsetting him.

[Ratty2E]

Clearly loud noises and boisterous behaviour are upsetting the dog and causing him distress. He obviously sees you as the leader that is why he turns to you when things are upsetting him. He is not attacking you and dogs don't do 'blame', he's asking you to stop the 'bad' things and comfort him. You need to be careful how you respond to his actions, be firm but kind, you don't want to encourage this behaviour but you don't want him to get so upset that he actually does end up biting someone.

[Tilly2]

I feel sorrry for the poor dog. He needs spme stability and security. You are going to turn him into a wreck. Look after him properly, otherwise you will end up either hurt or having toget rid of him. Givehim some peace!

[pastafreak]

I don't think he is being aggressive. Like others,I think he is trying to get your attention...the so-called play fighting is confusing to him and he needs/wants reassurance from you.

[paddywak]

I'm afraid these things happen. I used to drop my first GSD off at my mothers while I was at work and pick him up as soon as I finished.I fed him fussed him he went to the pub with me in fact he was with me virtually all the time.I was his pack leader but Mom was his Goddess, as soon as he saw her he ignored everbody else and became superglued to her,When we had to go she even had to tell him it was time for him to go home and God help anybody he thought was threatening her, he'd just curl his lip up show you a tooth and give a very low growl and that said it all.

[matrix2021]

Thanks for all the answers, but I must clarify that Ralph does not show any behaviour that I am in his leader, it's very much the opposite - he is boisterous/aggressive to me whenever there is any commotion - its not behaviour indicative for me to sort it out, but as though I'm the root of the problem. The only time he ever shows any 'gratitude' or thanks, is when I'm drying him off from a walk - he looks up quite content and goes to give a few licks that seems like a thanks, but who knows, maybe that indicates something sinister as well :/

[Tilly2]

As I said before, stop testing him and give him a bit of peace.

[jamall]

Dogs can feel what do you feel. Maybe it can simply feels you don't like it? But I know how to change it. Dog must start to respect you. Give him a bit of your time. Play with him or start to train him while playing. If you don't know how to start use some tips from Internet. I mean something like: http://howikis.com/Train_Your_Dog_to_be_a_Good_Pet_Outside_and_Inside_Your_Home