Oscar sounds like a pig!

[mtndan]

Hi again everyone. Here's the latest question from Oscar's new parents:

We are just learning to walk "nicely" on a leash (he's almost 4 years old) and have been using the gentle leader. He's great in that he hardly pulls at all but sometimes he'll start making this really disturbing snorty sound, sometimes so very loud that he sounds just like a little pig!

I check and recheck the gentle leader, afraid that he's choking or it's too tight, but it seems fine. His trainer said the noise was normal, but all the neighbors were looking at me like "jeez, what are you doing to that poor dog!"

Have other people experienced this? Should we be concerned?

Thanks a million,
Dan & Paige

 

[Tulsa-Dan]

I had to laugh at this one.

My Susie is a snorter too. She has a tiny little nose and I suspect that it is difficult for her to breath with such a petite little snout. Therefore, on our walks and when playing and things where she is exerting energy (other than sleeping) or gets excited she generally breathes through her mouth with the accompanying noises. It sounds like she's choking to death, but even without a collar on she makes the same noises, so I know she is not choking. She also sneezes and snorts a lot (airborne allergies I suspect) some days and sounds like she's dying of consumption She hacks a lot too, getting dirt and sand and grass and bugs in her open mouth, which doesn't help the noise factor either.

People tend to shy away from her because of all her noises too. Oh well. Their loss because she is such a sweetie. Unless there are other signs that she is having difficulty breathing, I wouldn't worry. Has the vet checked for any obstructions in the air passages, throat and sinuses? Might be something to look into as well to ease your mind.

Good luck.