breathing and potty training

Question
Breathing issue: I have a chiuahuah dog 1 1/2yrs old.  every so often, usually at night...she will wake up out her sleep as though she can't breathe.  She breathes like she is hyperventalating.  Several quick breathes back to back for a few seconds to a couple of minutes.  She is breathing heavy through her nose and her little chest is going up and down.  Is this the reverse sneeze?  I rub her little tummy and neck while she has these episodes and they go away.  but I think she gets freaked out too because she comes right over to me.  Should I go to the vet?  Also should I buy a humidifier?  Please advise

Potty Training:  My dog is SUPER SMART.  She knows all the tricks and is potty trained.  However the last few weeks it is as though she lost all training. She is using the restroom in the living room on my carpet!  I discipline her when I see her do it, (I send her to her room).  She knows she did wrong when i tell her go to her room.  When she uses the restroom on her matt, I praise her sometimes even giving her a treat.  What do I do to keep my dog back to using the restoom on the matt?

Answer
Hi Jada's Mom:  Could be allergies and that is why she is having the reverse sneeze????  Also, your house may be too dry?  Is it winter in your neck of the woods?  You may need to add some moisture to the air.  You could get a humidifier and rotate it around the house.  Put it in one room and then move it to another ...just rotate so that you don't grow mold ....

I can suggest a supplement for allergies.  But, if it continues you may want to talk to the vet about your concerns.

As for the potty training!  I am not the one to help you because I have had the same problem with my chi who is almost 3.
I believe she has accidents / very often/ because she Smells the OLD urine on the carpet.
I figure that I will  need to remove the carpet to stop this problem.
We have cleaned the carpet a number of times....She still can smell the old stuff - her smeller is 200 x the senses that we humans have.
That may be your problem too.
JUST keep using the potty pads and keep cleaning ups the accidents.
I have tried so many products... I can't refer you to any certain one.  

Good luck !

Let me know if you want supplement info


Marie Peppers
Ask the pet nurse

mtnmom@gci.net