Hello all..
please forgive me if this isnt the right place for this. I'm a relatively new dog owner (had cats all my life) and my little puppy (Rosebud) has started some heavy breathing today. My wife talk her for a walk this afternoon and she commented that she was breathing heavy for most of the walk. After the walk, she was fine, acting her normal 14 week old self. Ate normally, "played" with my children normally, and so on. Tonight, I took her trick or treating with my four children. She seemed to thoroughly enjoy the walk and the meeting of all kinds of children and other dogs, but I noticed the heavy breathing almost right away.
Part of me wants to stay its because she is pulling on the leash and collar but I dont know.. she was definitely pulling.. but we've walked her many times before today without those results. The second we were home, she was normal again. Do you think this is because she was strenuously trying to lead the way, any other thoughts, outside of this she seems fine.. see her vet?
Any advice for this newbie would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Rick
I agree with the other poster. Dogs who pull alot, particularly smaller breeds, and have the collar pressing on their throat will pant and cough and sometimes even sound like they are choking. They can develop a condition called "collapsing trachea". Be sure to teach her to walk properly on a leash, without pulling and perhaps a harness would be better. Unfortunately a harness encourages pulling (like sled dogs :-)) Also be sure not to walk her for too long while she is young. Young dogs can get worn out pretty quickly. Take her to Petsmart for some obedience lessons or get a book on training your dog to walk on a leash. Good luck!
What kind of dog? If its a Shih Tuz, you may need to get a harness instead of a collar. That type of dog has a sensitve laryaex(sp)(neck). Hope this helps.
Try and get her a harness instead of a leash, if you see and change then great but if not then I would take her to the vet's office. She might have breathing problems and that is a serious thing for your dog's health! Another idea is maybe she doesn't like to walk... haha! Hope she feels better! My greatest wishes!