Does your dog like to be picked up?

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Some dogs love it, some dogs really don’t love it.

But how do we know?

  • Dogs that appear to be fine when the vet or groomer picks them up to put them on the table might be fine. Or, they might be totally shut down.
  • Dogs that jump up when we’re dancing or hugging might be asking to be picked up. Or, they might be totally overwhelmed and have no idea how else to behave in that moment.
  • A dog that has been picked up and immediately starts to lick your face might be bonding with you. Or, they might be displaying submissive behaviour, not sure what’s going on, telling you that they’re just a sweet little puppy and mean no harm.


We need to take in the whole scene to make any sense of it.




IMPORTANT: WE NEED TO KEEP YOU SAFE. IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBTS ABOUT PICKING YOUR DOG UP, THEN DON'T DO IT. YOU KNOW YOUR DOG BETTER THAN ANYONE ELSE - LISTEN TO YOUR DOG FIRST AND FOREMOST.

If (AND ONLY IF) your dog is used to being picked up and you feel that your dog is happy with it, try this: 

Pick your dog up in your usual way and ask yourself:

How does your dog feel?

  • wriggly?
  • stiff?
  • soft?
  • pounding heart rate?


What can you see?

  • Pupils dilated?
  • Ears inquisitive?
  • Ears flattened?


What can you hear?

  • any vocalisation?
  • panting?


How is your dog's tail?

  • softly swaying?
  • still?
  • fast wag?


And then try this (AGAIN, ONLY IF YOUR DOG IS OK WITH BEING PICKED UP):


When you want to pick your dog up, talk to them.

Ask out loud, do you want to be picked up?

Then

  • softly touch your dog’s side
  • take your hand away
  • watch and listen. Do they move away? Do they lean or look away? Do they whine, whimper, start panting?
  • If so, that’s a no thanks. Respect the answer.


  • if your dog hasn’t moved away, ask out loud again and move your hands as though you’re going to pick them up.
  • watch and listen. Do they move away? Do they lean or look away? Freeze? Do they whine, whimper, start panting?
  • If so, that’s a no thanks. Respect the answer.


  • if your dog is giving you the go-ahead, pick them up carefully and mindfully.
  • watch and listen. Do they show any signs of distress?
  • if so, change the way you pick them up until you’ve found an enjoyable way for both of you.

Follow this process every time you want to pick your dog up.


The more choice we give our dogs about what happens to them, the calmer and less shouty-barky they’ll be.

What about those times when we *need* to pick our dogs up?

  • great question! In these instances, use different words so that your dog knows that they always have a choice when you ask ‘Do you want to be picked up?’.
  • if your dog doesn’t like to be picked up, get in touch with a fear-free trainer and start teaching them that it’s OK. Because you never know when you’re going to need to carry them in the future and we need to be prepared for old-age, injury or illness.


If you'd be interested in a low-cost workshop covering how to teach your dog that it's OK to be carried, message me or type WORKSHOP in the comments. 


Be prepared for when you need to pick your dog up.


❤️

Stephie

The Shouty-Barky Dog Lady™

https://www.facebook.com/groups/theshoutybarkydoglady

TheShoutyBarkyDogLady@gmail.com

© 2024 Stephie Guy The Shouty-Barky Dog Lady