[header] How to diagnose a collapsing trachea in chihuahuas [title] Look for a honking, dry cough. [step] The main sign of a collapsing trachea is a honking, dry type of cough. The cough may sound like a goose honking. 
A coughing episode is most likely to be triggered by pulling on a collar or when the dog pants heavily. [substeps] The cough may happen when you pick up your dog.