This could also be a symptom of heart disease, or other things such as:

• Tuberculosis
• Heartworms
• Distemper
• Coccidiosis

Make a note of when your dog coughs, how often and when. This is useful information for your Veterinarian. Also record length of coughing fit, and intensity. Why? Because coughs at different times mean different things.

Diagnosis of the cough:

• Dog coughing when overweight (small dogs) Tracheal problems, collapsing trachea. Can sound like a goose honking.
• Dog coughs while eating, or shortly after. Disease of the larynx or esophagus. The larynx is actually trying to block the food going down, the dog is coughing to try and free it.
• Dog coughs while drinking. Possible kennel cough, the trachea is irritated or collapsed. A sign of trachea bronchitis. This is THE most common cause of laryngitis in dogs. This can effect the dog for years. Another sign of this is if the dog coughs when you pull on the leash.
• Dog coughs at night only. This is most commonly associated with heart disease or impending heart failure. A sign of lung problems as well.
• Dog only coughs when outside. Possible lung infection from airborne things such as grass clippings, leaves, pollen or other things.

There are many types of medicines to treat your dog's coughing problems, consult your Veterinarian, along with your "cough diary" to find out what is best.