What's the proper way to hold and lift a puppy?
Congratulations on your new pup! As you jump into this joyous occasion, the universe of wagging tails and boundless energy will twist itself around you like a hurricane. The small hitch? Well, handling your fluffball is not just pure love and puppy eyes. Now you are walking right into the middle of puppy-herding — except in this game one bad move will result in a lot more than some disgruntled puppies and unexpected messes. Picture wrestling a wiggly bundle of fur who has your fingers in his mouth thinking they are chew toys- sounds like pandemonium, huh?
But don’t worry! This guide will discuss the nuanced art of handling a puppy, and tips to make sure you both are entirely satisfied! We will discuss how to pick him up from those cute (and tender) early days to the ultra high-energy months — without that squiggling, whining mess we talked about earlier. Your future self (and puppy) will be grateful!
What's the Proper Way to Hold a Puppy?
Let’s get straight to it—holding your puppy correctly is crucial. Think of yourself as their protector, always providing support and safety. Start by sliding one hand under their chest and the other under their rear. It’s like giving them a cozy hammock to relax in, minus the swinging.
Keep them close to your body to make them feel secure, and remember, slow and steady wins the race. No wild lifts or acrobatics here—just smooth, calm movements that reassure your puppy they’re in safe hands.
How Not to Hold a Puppy
Handling your puppy like a sack of potatoes? Big no. You wouldn’t want someone grabbing you by the arms and swinging you around, right? The same goes for your puppy.
Do not go clamping, squeezing, or shaking the pup; this isn't a wrestling game! If your puppy starts squirming, whining, or making a run for it this definitely is not just an audition to break free; they are in discomfort.
Hold them, rather than treating your new company like a plush toy. Their small bones and joints are fragile, and they need you to be their gentle giant.
How to Pick Up a Puppy Properly
As straightforward as it might sound to pick up your puppy, there is a bit of an art involved. Treat them like a celebrity: approach slowly, no sudden movements. Get down to their level, offer your hand for them to sniff and then gently lift under the body with one arm over their chest behind forelegs (this should prevent you from being bitten) but with the other holding under the rear. Hold it close to your body as you lift and - ope! - there ya go! They will thank you for the VIP treatment and it can prevent a surprised yelp or quick little wag that equals disaster.
How not to Pick Up a Puppy
Certainly do not abruptly grasp your puppy similar to an armload of goods from the shopping center. Clasping them by the loose skin, legs, or collar is a guaranteed approach to devastate their afternoon—and presumably distress them. It might appear to be a speedy solution, yet their well-being should always be top priority.
Tips for Holding & Lifting Puppies at Different Life Stages
Newborns (0-2 Weeks): Handle with Extra Care
Puppies are very fragile in the first few weeks. Their bones and muscles are still developing, and are quite weak. If you find yourself holding a newborn pup, make sure that your arms support their body completely — one hand on the chest and the other under its rear. Make sure your movements are slow and controlled — any sudden jerks can cause you to feel some discomfort or even end up injured. This is also the time they are unable to see or hear anything and are dependent on their sense of touch and smell, so place them close to your body when you can to build trust and security. Only take a few, gently handled sessions to keep from overwhelming the young creature.
Early Weeks (3-4 Weeks): Building Trust
As puppies start to open their eyes and become more aware of their surroundings, they begin to build trust with their caregivers. This is a crucial time to reinforce gentle handling. Start to increase the duration of holding sessions slightly, always ensuring that their body is fully supported. Begin to introduce them to gentle petting and soothing voices to help them associate human touch with comfort. At this stage, they’re still developing coordination, so avoid any handling that could cause them to swing or struggle.
Early Socialization (5-7 Weeks): Encouraging Positive Interactions
By now, puppies are starting to become more active and curious. They might wiggle and squirm a bit more when held, but it’s important to remain calm and gentle. Hold them close to your body, maintaining the same support under their chest and rear, but allow them a bit more freedom to look around and explore. This is a great time to introduce them to different people in a controlled manner, ensuring that every interaction is positive and reinforcing their comfort with being handled. Remember, the goal is to build a strong foundation of trust and security.
Exploration and Play (8-12 Weeks): Balancing Playfulness with Safety
This is the time your puppy energy levels are through the roof! Active — They are playful, curious and want to learn about the world around them. Both soaking cause they seem to be a bit more sturdy but do not soak. At playtime, you may need to grab them at a moment's notice to prevent accidents or pull them away from dangerous situations. Grab them from securely, offering support for their body so they don't get hurt by trying to balance on all limbs. Hold them snug but be gentle so they do not attempt to wriggle free.
Adolescence (3-6 Months): Adjusting to Growing Independence
As puppies grow older, they start to show signs of independence (what a rebels!!). They may ask to be put down sooner, and just want their space. Of course, you need to pay due respect for their growing personality but also keep on touching them positively and regularly like always.
At this stage, your puppy is not as little anymore — adjust how you hold it to suit its current size. If you need to, get under them and use both arms again holding their chest and rear. Being routinely together at this age helps to increase bonding and prevents the pup from growing up into an adult who hates being picked up.
Adulthood (6 Months and Beyond): Maintaining Comfort and Security
When your dog is 6 months and older, they will already have their preferences in how to be treated. Do you have one of those dogs that likes to be held, or the ones who want all feet on solid ground? While you must take their individual temperament into consideration, they do require regular and gentle handling for grooming and veterinary care. When you do want to lift your bigger and older pup, you may need to change how you lift. Be sure to support the full weight of their body so no strain occurs and use a calm, gentle voice to make it as pleasant and comfortable as possible.
What If a Puppy Does Not Want to Be Held?
But if your puppy does not like being carried? Let's say, it may start to squirm or try to escape from the pressure when you lift him up?
Your puppy might not want to be cuddled all of the time. If they start wriggling or making any sort of noise, listen up — no one enjoys being put somewhere forcibly. Other times you just have to grab them such as vet appointments or grooming. Be as gentle but also be a bit more firm in such situations. Keep doing this and with time, start giving them treats as you hold them to make holding less negative for the pup. Ultimately, it really comes down to a trust factor as well as the establishment that they are having good touch points.
Can I Get my Puppy Used to Being Held?
Getting your puppy used to being held as a training in and of itself feels like some equivalent version of taking them for a lovely day at the spa. As they acclimate to your love, start in short bursts and build up from there. Give treats and tell good stories to make the experience a happy one. Hold them regularly, but don't overdo it. They will begin to link being held with good things (treats or cuddles - who doesn't love those, right?!) until eventually, they should relax into your arms willingly, and perhaps even have the nap of their life.
How Should You Pick Up a Puppy Suddenly If You Need To?
Sometimes you may have to fetch your puppy right away because emergencies happen. At those times, relax and roll with the flow. Gently reach for your puppy; pick him up in both hands and hold it close to you. Do whatever you need to, whether that be speaking in a low voice, making sure their environment is safe with little noise around them or not too much light as well and no sudden movements which would scare the pup. The goal is to make the quick lift as uneventful for both of you as possible.
Does Holding a Puppy Help to Calm Them Down?
Absolutely! Picking them up is like putting the pause button on their bundles of energy. Being held in your arms, the heat and security they feel will calm them down and reduce their anxiety. Frequently, soft holding relaxes and will also strengthen your own bond with the puppy. So, if your puppy is bouncing off the walls, try some quiet cuddle time to help them settle. Pair this with gentle words and strokes, and you’ve got a recipe for a calm and restful pup.
Handling your puppy the right way can make all the difference. With the techniques we’ve covered, you’ll ensure that your puppy feels safe, secure, and loved. Remember, every puppy is unique, so be patient and adjust to their needs as they grow. Good luck with your pup!