NWR: Need Dog Help

I have a small (20 pound) terrier mix...

Last night he woke up a few times doing this weird dry heave/cough sound.. and it looked like he couldn't breathe. He has done this in the past but never as bad as last night. I felt so bad. After it was over I was rubbing his throat to make sure nothing was stuck and he was fine..

I woke up this morning ready to call in sick and take him to the vet but he was acting fine..Hyper like always, eating, playing.. so I thought I would just watch him for a day.. I am going to call them in a little while when they open...

but I was just wondering if anyone elses dog does this? I read online its common in little dogs but I am nervous.. my old dog did something like this once and it ended up being a tumor in his heart (but he was also 15 yrs old)

my dog does this sometimes because his trachea collapses. i dont know if its the same thing, but he has this hacking cough and its like he cant breathe. it usually lasts 30 seconds-5minutes. the vet told me that it often happens to small dogs with breathing problems (like mine who is a pug) but its not fatal.

when it happens, im just supposed to hold him tight, pet him and try to relax him.

check out collapsed trachea online to see if thats it.

do you walk him on a leash a lot?

some dogs get irritated and need to use a harness instead of a collar and leash...