Is it normal for my boy to be panting heavily even when not doing anything? Not constantly or really regularly but often even when just led on the sofa ha will pant really heavily as if he has just been for a run and is out of puff?! Or is that just him overheating? Just looking for advice before taking him to the vets, any advice or anything is much appreciated

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My Prince Kodah
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A lot of thick coated breeds find it hard to cool down, maybe you should let him lie down on a cold hard surface for a while and see if that helps

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Owned by Tummel the rottaridgeador and Dante the Italian Spinone

It is common in double coated breeds especially...mine have often laid out on cold tiles and panted even though it doesn't feel that warm to me, just make sure theres always somewhere coolish for them to lay and water is always available.

Of course if you're in any way concerned about his behaviour then do ring your vet, always better to be safe than sorry

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Lisa x

Mummy to : Leila, Sophie and also Nikita the Siberian Husky.

RIP - Koda-Bear the Bernese Mountain Dog (my best furry friend and canine soulmate), Scott the Newfoundland (miss ya big guy) , also Fliss, Tara, Sophie, Ben, Poppy and Scamp.

This is who I really am - 30 Seconds to Mars (The Kill)
I am not afraid…I was born to do this - Joan of Arc
Love is being stupid together - Paul Valery

Dogs pant when they're over heated, stressed, when they are happy, when they are excited, and also when they are in pain or discomfort. Look at his body language in general for clues as to why he is panting. I suspect he may be happy.

Pantings the only way really for them to cool down. if its intermittentlyhere and there and not constant I wouldnt be over worried. You will probably find he will lay on the sofa be there 20 minutes or so start panting and get off, same if he has a padded dog bed, or even a thck fleece to lie on. Mine even get too hot on a carpeted floor sometimes and go off and lie on the tiles in my hall and kitchen.

Dont forget you have a breed that is capable of curling up in conditions 40 below and sleeping outside in it to wake up covered in snow.

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My Mals can't handle the sofa for too long and get off panting. Central heating must be awful for them too, in fact it's difficult to get Marty in the house and he'd live outside if i'd let him!

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"

Thank you everyone for your great replies, I had a feeling it was due to overheating, I do not keep the heating on in the kitchen so that he has somewhere cold to retreat (it's freezing in there lol) and it is quite often when he is on the sofa but sometimes when curled up by the sofa on the laminate flooring. He often goes and lays by the patio doors as there us a draught an loves laying out in wet grass, he is also guaranteed to find the biggest puddle on walks and just lay down in it lol keeping him clean is a nightmare
Does anyone have tips on stopping him from pulling on the lead? I have tried stopping and making him sit everytime he pulls, giving a little tug when he pulls and saying his name in a low firm voice every time he pulls but just lately nothing works he is strong and drags me about lol.

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My Prince Kodah
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Head collar can help works like a horses halter basically, They do need to be introduced and fitted correctly though. Gentle leader is one type I found good,
because you can get the nose band to be a perfect fit as well as the strap that does aroud the neck. There are other good ones now too though, think a lot on here like the Dog Matic. I personally dont like the Halti as you cant adjust the nose strap at all. They do come in various sizes but I found it very hard to get a perfect fit so they ride up and twist which is not good.
I dont use them now in fact only used them on one dog. What I find can help too and stop pulling and give you more control which I use on Nanuq is a harness with a front ring, you can get them with a ring on the front and back, but the SASS Harnesses I use the walking and tracking harness has brass fitments and a brass ring at the front where all the pieces meet. I get a double end lead and attach one to the back ring and one to here, and find that really does help too. If you want a look at the sass ones.

SASS Sled Dog Equipment

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I like the Dogmatic head collar. Good control and doesn't ride up into the eyes.





I attach it to a double ended lead from pets at home



and the other end is attached to my Kisi walking belt.
http://www.kisi.co.uk/index.php?page...emart&Itemid=1

I also have a halti clip attached to the Dogmatic which is attached to his harness or collar (which ever he's wearing) in case the head collar comes off, lol - i'm such a paranoid mummy and aint going to lose my kids!

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"