Heavy Breathing in Crate

talos

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#1
Hello. We got our lab puppy a week ago, she is a little over 8 weeks old. At night while we have her in her crate which is in our bedroom, she seems to breath very heavy and rapid. She only does this while in the crate at night. During the day we setup a child/doggy pen (10 FT octagon) in the kitchen where she spends the day while we are at work or whenever she is unsupervised. She sleeps in there most of the day and never makes a sound. Her breathing is normal. We have her bed in the pen during the day and move it to the crate at night with her safe toys. Any ideas on why she is only exhibiting this heavy breathing at night in the crate?

Thanks...
 

sisco16

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#2
is the crate big enough for her, and is it made out of metal or hard plastic for starters. Because the mesh ones that are on the market do not provide proper air circulation for a dog.
 

talos

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#3
The crate is pretty big. It even has a divider in the middle that I moved back a little so she can lay down all sprawled out with her head out of the bed while she sleeps. She likes to have her head out of the bed with her body in the bed when she sleeps. The crate is metal.

Here is a link to a picture of the crate. I have the divider in there that is hard to see but it is basically on the other side of her bed. She does not have free reign of the entire crate as I don't want her to make that a spot to eliminate, which in the 9 days we have had her, she never has.

Thanks...

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talos

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#5
That is what I am thinking. Just strange that she only does it in the crate. Thanks for the feedback.
 

JessLough

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#6
She may just not like being enclosed in a crate....sort of like how some people don't like small spaces or elevators. If that is the case, she is breathing deeply to try and regulate her breathing. It should fix in a few days, whatever the case.
 

sprintime

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#7
I noticed you said she was kept in the kitchen during the day and doesn't have the heavy breathing problem. Since you crate her in your bedroom at night is it possible that the bedroom is much smaller and maybe warmer than the space she is in during the day? If the bedroom is smaller the temperature might be too hot for the pup so she is cooling off by heavier panting or breathing. Have you tried crating her in the kitchen where she stays during the day?
 

talos

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#8
I turned on the AC in the bedroom last night and the panting seemed to be reduced so now thinking about it maybe the temp has something to do with it. Going to have it cool in there tonight before I bring her upstairs. Should be a good test tonight too since it was cool outside today. I would rather not move her to the kitchen at night as we have had the crate in the bedroom since we got her and don't want to make a change especially since we won't be able to hear if when she has to go out to eliminate. If she is still panting/breathing heavy tonight with the cooler temp, maybe I will bring the crate in the kitchen during the day and see how she is.

Thanks for the feedback
 

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