Tips for Lifting Your Dog Correctly

Many dogs do not like to be carried. Others will endure it. But it can often be necessary to lift your dog to help them onto the couch or into the car, or to move them after an injury. There is a right way to hold your dog to avoid injury or stressing your dog unnecessarily.

How to Hold a Dog the Right Way

Being held can be a challenging experience for a dog, especially if he is in pain or in a stressful situation, like at the vet. Dogs who were well socialized should be used to being handled, but this does not always mean it is comfortable. Rescue dogs and those who did not experience being held as puppies may be more resistant.

Picking your dog up with the following methods will help keep your dog safe and as comfortable as possible when being carried:

Give Your Dog a Cue - Picking your dog up suddenly can be alarming for him. As you are conditioning your dog, always precede picking your dog up with a cue. This can be a spoken cue or a physical one like holding your hand at your dog’s shoulders. When your dog is aware of what is about to happen, he will feel more in control.
Lift a Small Dog - For dogs under 20 pounds, put one hand beneath your dog’s chest between his front legs and put your other hand beneath their abdomen. Cradle your dog to your chest to keep him secure.
Lift a Large Dog - For dogs greater than 20 pounds, place one arm around the front of your dog’s chest and the other around their butt at mid thigh. When you lift your dog up, lift with your legs to avoid hurting yourself. For very large dogs, having one person to support the head and one to support the back is beneficial.
Condition Your Dog - If you are conditioning your dog to stand being picked up, provide treats after you lift your dog and limit how long you hold your dog at first.

Some breeds or situations require special care. Longer dogs like dachshunds and corgis need extra support along their backs as they are at greater risk for injuries. Dogs that are injured need care as well. An injured dog will be more likely to snap, which could be dangerous for both of you. A severely injured dog may need a stretcher to safely transport them in which case you should call an emergency vet.

Calvin and Colleen Sheehan (Assoc. Producer - The Oprha Winfrey Show)

Marc Goldberg with Cesar Millan, "The Dog Whisperer"

Our Philosophy & Goals

Our philosophy is simple. Improve the life of both dog and family. All too often, unruly dogs do not fully enjoy life because their families constantly become upset and frustrated with them. This is difficult for both family and dog.

Our mission is simple. Make both dog and family happy.

What does is take to make your dog happy? He will thrive when you give him leadership and attention.

Making the family happy is a bit more complex.

Families typically want their dog to:

Come when called, every time, on or off leash
Walk nicely on a loose leash without pulling
Sit until released
Down until released

Families also want their dogs:

Not to jump on people
Not to charge through doors
Not to dig in the garden
Not to bark and chew inappropriately
Not to climb on furniture you prefer they avoid
Not to sniff and eat off the table and counters.
Not to be wild and uncontrollable
Not to ignore you when you want their attention