How To Pick Up Your Dog Properly & Safely 

Highlights:

Everyone wants to hold and cuddle their dog, but scooping them up without regard for their backs and legs can be problematic.

Learning to care for your dog’s spine means picking them up so that they don’t get hurt. 

Another aspect of dog care is supporting their longevity, which can easily be done with a longevity-supportive treat like Longevity15™.

It isn’t wrong to want to scoop up your dog the moment you see them. Holding and petting your dog is a way to bond with them, and they love it just as much as you do. Unfortunately, if you aren’t picking your dog up properly, you run the risk of placing undue stress on their spines and even causing them to suffer aches, pains, and strains. 

Learning to pick your dog up properly can help you avoid hurting them and will also help keep their spinal health in check. 

Which Dogs Shouldn’t Be Lifted

Before we begin, it’s a good idea to consider that some dogs shouldn’t ever be picked up. If your dog has an active injury, a known back or leg issue, or simply does not enjoy being handled, you should find other ways to bond with your pet.

Also, if your dog is shying away from being picked up by hiding, tucking its tail, or whining, it’s a good idea to build trust with them by avoiding picking them up and trying again later. Never pick up an animal that is baring its teeth or growling. If your pet is healthy, does not have injuries, and considers itself an expert cuddler, then picking them up is a safe and healthy way to snuggle.

Breeds You Can’t Pick Up

It probably goes without saying, but you’ll want to avoid picking up breeds that could quite literally hurt your own back. Mastiffs, rottweilers, and dogs that weigh more than you do should keep their paws on the floor. Attempting to lift these dogs could injure both them and you.

Other breeds that don’t do well being handled include brachycephalic breeds, or those with flat faces like pugs and bulldogs, who may suffer from breathing problems. Although you can pick them up, it’s best to know the proper way to do so to ensure their airways are not restricted when they are at rest in your arms or your lap. 

Lastly, some dog breeds are known for not enjoying cuddle time. Topping the list is the Afghan hound. 

These dogs favor independence and don’t like a lot of cuddling. Bloodhounds, chow-chows, and shiba-inus also prefer to sit alongside you, not on you. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance “no-touch” breed, these are good options. 

How To Safely Pick Up Your Dog

The size of the dog you have will determine the best way to pick them up. You’ll need to make sure to support your dog’s head, neck, and spine. 

The biggest mistake people make when lifting a dog is putting all the support under their front legs and leaving their hind legs to dangle. This places excessive stress on the spine and can be very uncomfortable for your dog.

Small Dogs

Small dogs should be picked up with a focus on lifting them from the chest, not under their front legs. Palm the dog’s chest while simultaneously tucking their backside under your other hand or close to your chest to offer additional support. 

Larger Dogs

If you have a larger dog, bend down to reach them. Do not attempt to pick them up from a standing position, or you risk hurting yourself. Place one arm underneath the dog’s chest while using your other hand to scoop them up by the rump to safely lift them to your chest or into your lap. 

If your dog is too large to pick up but can safely jump, it’s a better idea to sit on a couch and encourage your dog to join you instead of trying to lift them yourself. 

Helpful Hints

When picking up your dog, there are a few things you should remember:

• Some dogs are prone to back issues. Dachshunds, in particular, can be prone to back issues due to their longer spine. It is essential to give them support under the front and back legs to avoid hurting their joints.
• Never pick a dog up by the scruff. Even though mom dogs pick their puppies up by the scruff, it’s never a good idea to pick your dog (even if they are a puppy) by the scruff. This can be misinterpreted as aggression and can harm the relationship you have with your dog. 
• Give your dog a cue that you are about to scoop them up. You can use a command word like “lift” or “lap,” or you can pat your knees or extend your arms. Letting your dog know you are about to lift them can help you avoid startling them and help you communicate with them. 
• Never pick up a dog when they are baring their teeth. If your dog is baring their teeth, growling, or hiding, do not attempt to pick them up. Your dog could misinterpret your efforts to comfort them. Instead, call your dog to you and use the command word. 

If your dog resists being held or cuddled, don’t force it. You can find other ways to bond with your dog that don’t involve holding them. Some dogs just have personalities that are more “hands off” than hands-on. 

Support Their Backs, and Their Longevity

Keeping your dog’s spine healthy is essential in keeping their bodies healthy. When your dog’s spine health is safe, they can run, jump, and play longer. Keeping your dog healthy is multifaceted, from lifting them safely to giving them nutritious food, taking care of their dental health to avoid periodontal disease, and even considering a longevity-supportive supplement. 

Longevity15

Longevity15 was created by humans who love their pets. It contains one ingredient, pentadecanoic acid, or C15:0 for short. 

This “good” fat is good for humans and animals alike and supports:

• Heart function
• Liver function
• Red blood cell health
• Healthy glucose management

Longevity15 works by supporting the cells that make up your dog’s body. By helping support cellular health, you can help support your dog’s overall wellness and enjoy the opportunity to love your dog longer. 

Support You Can Trust

The ingredient in Longevity15 (C15:0) was discovered by a veterinary epidemiologist studying longevity in mammals. She noted that bottlenose dolphins that had a higher level of C15:0 had fewer occurrences of age-related illnesses than those with lower C15:0 levels. 

Now, those same benefits can be enjoyed by your favorite four-pawed mammal. In addition to protecting their longevity with proper handling and cuddles, you can protect them from the cells up by giving them Longevity15 each day. 

Sources:

8 Things You Should Know About Brachycephalic Pets | Juanita Hills Animal Hospital

10 Dog Breeds That Do Not Enjoy Cuddles | Country Living

The Right Way to Pick Up a Dog | The Farmers Dog.com

Periodontal disease | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine