Why does he whine then lunge

[ginbramble]

I have a 10 month old pup who is absolutely wonderful except one thing, I'm not sure if it's just a puppy thing or a behavioural thing what needs attention.

He randomly does a sort of whine noise then lunges to nip towards your face. Often it's when he's over stimulated but sometimes he will just be laying on the floor then he will make the whining noise and then his will lunge at whoever is closest to him. We know the whine and so know what he's about to do, but it worries me that he will do it to someone else.

For background, there are no children in the house, he's generally very friendly with people and other dogs. He's been doing this for about 3 months.

He's our first dog. Any advice appreciated thank you.

Whining not growling?

I really think that you need to take him to the vets. I don't really have any idea what this is, but I am wondering if it is some sort of fit? Please make an appointment at the vets and in the meantime if he starts whining like that can you try and video it for the vet? The whine suggests to me that he is uncomfortable or stressed, then maybe he lunges out afterwards in confusion. Could he even be having a recurring had dream, but if you have had him since he left his Mum that doesn't seem very likely, unless you got him from a puppy farm?
The vet should be able to advise you on where to find a good dog behaviour therapist, if your dog doesn't seem to have any physical problems. Sorry OP, but this does not sound like normal older puppy behaviour to me. Please come back and let us know how he is, and if the vet gave any diagnosis? Good luck OP.

Lunging towards face is fairly common behaviour, in excited dogs and puppies. I'm not sure about the whine, but wouldn't have thought it necessarily means something's. wrong with him. Having said that, consulting a vet won't hurt.

It should be something you can train out of most dogs tbh, my biggest concern is that the whine is telling you he's not comfortable with the closeness so I'm more inclined to suggest you speak to a reliable behaviourist.

Definitely a whine not a growl. Not a puppy farm, he was born at the rspca, was with mum until 7 weeks and then weaned with into group with some siblings until we took him home at 8 weeks.

Behaviourist would be my first port of call.

Yes I think you're right. I will speak to a behaviourist. He's very affectionate, wants to cuddle up next to you on the sofa etc it's just this one thing. It's not an ongoing whine, he literally makes a whine noise for 2-3 seconds then lunges

My red setter used to do this - "I love you soooo much I need to be in your face, NOW"! He grew out of it after about three years...

OP What breed is your dog?

I hope it's that @Sarahlou63 and to be fair the circumstances when it happens often indicate that!

@PollyRoulson total Heinz 57! Mum was a spaniel cross, dad a staffy cross

Does the rehoming centre have a behaviourist who can offer you advice?

Does your dog like to lick or nibble your faces? Does he generally have a low frustration tolerance?

Is he trying to initiate play?
What happens if you intervene when he whines but before he lunges? Walk away or ask for a behaviour of your choice?
No behaviourist or dog trainer tho!
Dog training advice and support on FB is great. And you can share videos with the trainers for specific advice.

@Happenchance yes he does lick our faces, I tend to redirect but my husband lets him lick his face all the time 🤦‍♀️ I'll contact rspca and ask them. We're about to start training with a very reputable local trainer so I'll ask her too.

I wondered that @Wolfiefan , if you turn away he still lunges like he's trying to get you attention, but the whine worries me that is something more than that.

The RSPCA would be a good place to start because they may have been contacted by the owners of his siblings if they are displaying similar behaviour.

Has he ever made contact with your face? Does he make a noise like a jaw smacking sound when he is jumping up?

My dog used to do this to me
It was an "I love you SO much
And i want to plaaaaaay now! Play with me!" Type thing

Does he bang his front paws on the floor too? Our GSD is 6, but sometimes she’s whine, growl and duck down low banging her paws, then lunge. Frightened the life out of me the first time….but it’s just her saying “I really want to play”.

Ahh, op, its just an expression of affection when he does it, pull back/stop him with a firm 'no'