How to Pick up a Dog Properly

Co-authored by Sheri Williams

Last Updated: April 18, 2024

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There may be times when you need to pick up your dog. You might need to get him in a car or place him on a table at the vet's office. If your dog is injured, you may even need to lift him to get him to the veterinary hospital. Learn how to safely pick up your dog. This will keep everyone safe and relaxed.

Part 1

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Preparing to Pick Up Your Dog

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1
Get help if your dog is heavy. Most people should avoid lifting a dog of 40 pounds or greater by themselves. Every person will have his own weight limit for lifting, so please think of the safety of your pet and yourself when deciding to pick up your dog.
- Animals will struggle more if they feel like they may fall because they are not supported properly or you are fumbling to hold body parts.
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Pick up small dogs properly. Even if your dog weighs less than 20 pounds, it's important to pick him up carefully. Locate your dog's chest right behind the dog’s front legs. Support the dog here when you start to lift. Use your right hand to hold on to the dog’s collar or leash. This keeps him from running away and lets you control his head. Bring your left arm over the top of your dog’s back and lift him from under the chest.
- Bring the dog under your left arm or “wing.” Hold him to your body to minimize wiggling.
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Lift heavier dogs with care. If your dog weighs more than 20 pounds, pick him up with one hand under his neck and the other scooped under his rump. At the same time, lift like you're lifting a board.^{[1]
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Research source} For dogs over 40 pounds, get another person to help. One person will be at the head of the dog with one arm under the neck and the other under the chest. The other person gets a hand under the belly and their other hand scoops under the rump. Lift at the same time.
- The person at the head of the dog will “call the shots” and give directions when to lift at the same time. For instance, you can count to “three” and lift the dog together on “3.”
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Learn how to lift a dog in a special circumstance. For a dog in advanced pregnancy, one that has an obviously distended abdomen, avoid the belly area. Lift from under her neck/chest and under the rump. Or, if you suspect your dog has an injured back, lift the dog keeping its back completely level and straight from under the neck and the rump.
- Definitely get another person to help. This will keep everyone safe.

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Picking Up Your Dog

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Keep your body in the correct position when lifting. Don’t forget to bend at the knees and lift with your legs. Don't bend over the dog to protect your back from injury. Place your arms around your pet to securely lift the dog.
- Bending your knees will bring you closer to the dog’s level. This means you won't be leaning over the dog which most dogs find frightening.
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Pick up your dog when he's relaxed. Try to avoid picking up your dog when he's jumping all around and wiggly. You may have to work on training your dog to be calm.
- Establish a routine and begin short training sessions. Begin by keeping your dog in a seated position for several minutes. Gradually teach him to lie down. Practice having these calm periods of time.^{[2]
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Use a towel or short leash. If you have to pick up a wiggler, use a short leash to keep a hold your dog. Or you could place a towel over his head and use it to hold his limbs.
- If your dog is actually injured, protect yourself by muzzling the dog (with an actual muzzle for dogs or use a leash to wrap around the snout). At least use a towel over the dog’s head before you pick up the dog.

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Should I let my child pick up puppy?

Sheri Williams
Certified Dog Trainer
Sheri Williams is a Certified Dog Trainer and Behaviorist and the Owner of sheriwilliams.com, a business that specializes in teaching veterans how to turn their dogs into service dogs or emotional support animals to assist with PTSD. Based in the Los Angeles, California metro area, Sheri has over 20 years of dog training experience and also runs a general dog training practice specializing in rehabilitating dogs through positive reinforcement training techniques. She is certified by The Animal Behavior and Training Association.

Sheri Williams

Certified Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

It depends on how old the child is. If we're talking about a child who is older than 13 or so, then it's probably okay. I wouldn't let a small child pick a puppy up, though.

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Question

How do you hold a puppy correctly?

Sheri Williams
Certified Dog Trainer
Sheri Williams is a Certified Dog Trainer and Behaviorist and the Owner of sheriwilliams.com, a business that specializes in teaching veterans how to turn their dogs into service dogs or emotional support animals to assist with PTSD. Based in the Los Angeles, California metro area, Sheri has over 20 years of dog training experience and also runs a general dog training practice specializing in rehabilitating dogs through positive reinforcement training techniques. She is certified by The Animal Behavior and Training Association.

Sheri Williams

Certified Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

You kind of cradle it in your arms, with your elbow in L-shape. Keep the puppy on their back, and you kind of hold it like a baby. So long as the puppy isn't flailing, they're comfortable.

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Question

My 70 lb dog has injured his back and has been told to rest and not use stairs. How can I carry him?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Lifting a 70 lb dog is definitely a two person job. Your aim is to support his back and keep it parallel to the ground. Have one person lift the rear end and one the front end. Both scoop one arm under his belly (one towards his elbows the other towards his hips) and at the same time support his head/rear end. Then on a count of three both straighten your knees and stand. You will need to block off the stairs so the dog can't go up and down by himself. If the dog usually sleeps upstairs, then consider moving his bed downstairs, and if necessary sleeping beside him.

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You may even be able to place the dog in a laundry basket or large plastic storage bin lined with towels. This will prevent extra injury while getting your dog to the veterinarian.^{[3]
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Protect your face. Some dogs might flail their head when picked up. Keep your face out of the way so it does not get hit accidentally by the dog’s skull or teeth. Use the dog’s collar to manage the neck when picking up smaller dogs.

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Avoid touching the injured area. Consider using a blanket or towel as a stretcher. One person at the front of the dog holds the ends of the blanket or towel. The person on the other end holds the opposite ends. Instead of trying to hold the towel/blanket out flat, use it more as a taco and keep the sides up high. This discourages the dog from trying to get out of the stretcher.

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