It was around 3am when I heard it. Plutón — our 3-year-old German Shepherd — was sleeping in front of our bedroom door as he always does since we moved the baby's crib into our room and his dog bed no longer fits. And suddenly, out of nowhere, he started making this horrible sound.

It sounded like he was trying to vomit, like something was stuck in his throat, like he could not breathe properly. My first thought was that the carne asada he had eaten earlier had not agreed with him. I woke up my husband and asked him to take Plutón outside in case he needed to be sick. But that was not it at all.

After watching videos online and doing research at 3am in a panic, I realized what was happening. It was reverse sneezing — and it is way more common in German Shepherds than most people realize.

Here is the first video I recorded — this is exactly what Plutón sounded like that night:

What Is Reverse Sneezing in German Shepherds?

Reverse sneezing — also called inspiratory paroxysmal respiration — is a phenomenon where a dog rapidly and forcefully inhales air through the nose instead of exhaling it. Unlike a regular sneeze where air is pushed out, during a reverse sneeze the dog pulls air in rapidly, creating a snorting, honking or gagging sound that can be absolutely terrifying if you have never heard it before.

It is not dangerous in most cases. But when you hear it for the first time at 3am with no warning, it feels like an emergency.

💡 What does reverse sneezing sound like? Most owners describe it as a honking, snorting, reverse gagging or choking sound. The dog usually stands still with their neck extended, elbows out, and makes rapid snorting inhales for anywhere from a few seconds to a couple of minutes. Watch the videos below to hear exactly what Plutón sounded like.

What Is Reverse Sneezing in German Shepherds?

Reverse sneezing in German Shepherds can be triggered by several things. It happens when something irritates the soft palate or the back of the throat, causing a spasm. Common triggers include:

  • Eating or drinking too fast
  • Excitement or physical activity
  • Pulling on the leash
  • Allergens — pollen, dust, strong smells
  • Changes in temperature — going from warm to cold air
  • Foreign material in the nasal passage
  • Eating something that did not agree with them
  • Simply being in a position that irritates the throat — like sleeping with their neck bent

In Plutón's case, I think it was a combination of the carne asada and the position he was sleeping in — curled up against the door with his neck at an odd angle. He had never had a reverse sneezing episode before this night and has only had occasional ones since.

Plutón German Shepherd sleeping — reverse sneezing at night

Plutón sleeping in front of our bedroom door — his favorite spot since the baby arrived. 🐾

What I Did When Plutón Had a Reverse Sneezing Episode

In my panic at 3am, before I even knew what reverse sneezing was, I started massaging his belly because I thought he needed to be sick. I stroked him gently and talked to him softly to keep him calm. Accidentally — I was doing exactly the right thing.

Keeping the dog calm is one of the most important things you can do during a reverse sneezing episode. The more anxious they get, the worse the spasm can become. My voice and my presence helped Plutón relax even though I was scared myself.

After I identified what was happening, I learned a very effective technique:

🐾 How to stop reverse sneezing in dogs:

  • Stay calm — your anxiety transfers to your dog
  • Gently cover your dog's nostrils for 1-2 seconds — this encourages them to swallow and can reset the spasm
  • Massage their throat gently from the outside
  • Talk to them softly and stroke their back
  • Try to distract them — offer a treat or move them to a different room
  • Do NOT force their mouth open or try to reach into their throat

After the episode finally passed, I brought Plutón to the sofa with me and we stayed there together for a while. He fell asleep next to me and I watched him to make sure he was okay. Eventually the baby woke up and I had to go back to bed — but I checked on him several more times that night.

The next morning he still had occasional episodes throughout the day, but by the afternoon it had completely stopped on its own.

Is Reverse Sneezing Dangerous for German Shepherds?

In most cases, reverse sneezing is completely harmless. It looks and sounds terrifying but it is not painful for the dog and does not affect their breathing — they can still get air even during an episode.

However, there are situations where you should take your dog to the vet:

⚠️ Go to the vet if your dog:

  • Has reverse sneezing episodes very frequently — multiple times a day for several days
  • Shows other symptoms — nasal discharge, coughing, lethargy, loss of appetite
  • The episode lasts more than 2-3 minutes without stopping
  • Seems to be in pain or distress beyond the episode itself
  • Has never been checked for nasal polyps or other conditions

In Plutón's case I did not take him to the vet because the episodes stopped on their own within 24 hours, he was eating and drinking normally, and he showed no other symptoms. But I was monitoring him very closely and if anything had changed I would have gone immediately.

Are German Shepherds Bonded to Each Other?

Something happened during Plutón's episode that I will never forget. Júpiter — who was sleeping in the living room — heard the strange sounds and came over immediately. He walked straight to Plutón, sniffed him carefully from head to tail, and then just stayed there next to him. He did not leave his side.

That is the bond between these two. They fight over toys, they steal each other's spots on the sofa, they compete for attention — but the moment one of them is in distress, the other one shows up. No hesitation.

So are German Shepherds bonded to each other? In my experience — absolutely yes. German Shepherds are known for forming incredibly deep bonds, not just with their human family but also with other dogs they grow up with. They are loyal, protective and highly attuned to the emotional state of those around them.

Plutón looked terrified during the whole episode. His eyes were wide, his body was tense and you could see he did not understand what was happening to him. He was scared and uncomfortable — and that made it even harder to watch. All I wanted was to make it stop for him.

But Júpiter knew what to do before I did. He walked over calmly, pressed his head gently against Plutón's and just stayed there. No barking, no panic — just presence. As if he was saying "I am here, you are okay." 😭

German Shepherds comforting each other — Jupiter and Pluton touching heads

This is the moment Júpiter came to comfort Plutón — their heads touching, both still. This photo says everything. 🐾

Plutón has always looked up to Júpiter since the day he arrived as a puppy. And Júpiter — despite pretending he does not care most of the time — always shows up when it matters. That night at 3am was no exception. 🐾

A Note on Changes — The Baby, the Dogs and the New Normal

There is something I have been thinking about since that night. Before the baby arrived, Júpiter and Plutón slept in our room every night. Any strange sound they made in the night — I would wake up immediately to check on them. I would even scold them for licking their paws too loudly. 😄

Now things are different. The baby's crib is in our room and there is simply no space for their dog beds anymore. Plutón sleeps in front of our door every night — as close as he can get to us. And when something happens to him in the night, like this reverse sneezing episode, it takes us a moment longer to realize something is wrong.

It is one of those changes that comes with having a baby. Everything shifts. And while it is necessary and temporary, it also made me realize how much I miss having them in the room with us. They are not just pets — they are part of this family. And Plutón sleeping in front of that door every night is his way of saying he knows it too. 🐾

Here is the second video from that same night — you can see how Plutón was still having episodes the next morning:

Frequently Asked Questions — Reverse Sneezing in German Shepherds

Is reverse sneezing the same as a regular sneeze?
No. A regular sneeze pushes air out through the nose. Reverse sneezing pulls air rapidly inward, creating that distinctive honking or snorting sound. They look and sound very different.
Can reverse sneezing hurt my German Shepherd?
No — reverse sneezing is not painful. Your dog can still breathe during an episode even though it does not look like it. The main risk is secondary anxiety if the dog gets very stressed during the episode.
How long does a reverse sneezing episode last?
Most episodes last between 15 seconds and 2 minutes. If an episode lasts longer than 3 minutes or if your dog has multiple long episodes back to back, consult your vet.
Why does my German Shepherd only reverse sneeze at night?
Nighttime reverse sneezing is common and can be triggered by the sleeping position, changes in temperature, dust or allergens in the sleeping area, or simply because the dog is more relaxed and breathing more slowly.
Should I cover my dog's nose during reverse sneezing?
Yes — gently covering the nostrils for 1-2 seconds encourages the dog to swallow, which can interrupt the spasm and end the episode faster. Do not hold too tightly and release immediately.
Are German Shepherds more prone to reverse sneezing?
German Shepherds can be prone to reverse sneezing especially if they have allergies, eat fast, or get very excited. Large breed dogs in general tend to have more powerful episodes because of their size.