Dos and Don'ts for Holding a Puppy

How to Hold a Puppy Correctly

Take the following actions to keep your young puppy secure and guarantee they like being held:

Dos: Take things slowly at first

Before you pick up your puppy for the first time, make sure they are at ease with your touch. Allow them to sniff you and become accustomed to being around you before picking them up. This will make them feel less anxious in your presence and will make holding them much simpler.

Dos: Pick up the puppy gently and keep it close to your body

Puppies, like infants, are delicate beings. You want to avoid picking them up too quickly or handling them violently. This could result in your dog being afraid, wounded, or both. Pick up the puppy gradually, supporting their chest and back end. Handle your small friend gently and keep them close to your body so they feel comfortable and secure.

Dos: Hold a puppy firmly at all times

When handling a puppy, make sure they're safe without squeezing or crushing their delicate bodies. Avoid pinning their legs against the side of your body and always keep them in a comfortable position. Always hold the puppy firmly but gently. You don't want them wriggling out of your grip and inadvertently injuring themselves or fleeing the situation entirely.

Dos: Put your hand under the puppy's chest

Place one hand beneath their chest, just behind their front legs, when you're ready to pick up your puppy. This will help to support and stabilize their physique. To prevent the puppy from slipping, put your palm around their torso and distribute your fingers equally.

Dos: With your other hand, support their backside

Next, support the puppy's back end with your other hand. This will keep them from squirming and slipping out of your grasp, potentially resulting in damage. Supporting the puppy's back will also make them feel more at ease and safe while you hold them.

Dos: Maintain the puppy's erect stance

Keep the puppy upright when holding them in your arms to guarantee their safety. This will give them a sense of security and keep them from twisting or turning around and maybe harming themselves.

The Incorrect Way to Hold a Puppy

Keep your puppy safe by avoiding the following typical blunders:

Don’ts: Grasp the legs of a puppy

Lifting your dog by the front or back legs is never a smart idea. This can result in not only physical injuries, but also emotional discomfort. As previously said, it is ideal to keep your puppy safe and secure by placing one hand under the dog's chest and the other under their back end.

Don’ts:Grab the nape of their necks

You may have observed mother dogs carrying their puppies around by the scruff of the neck. However, it is not advised for humans to hold puppies in this manner. The muscles and tissues of a puppy's neck might be damaged if it is picked up by the scruff of the neck. In developing puppies, it can also lead to emotional problems.

Don’ts:Pick them up by using their collar

Never pick up a puppy by the collar. When you do this, you are compressing the air in their lungs and preventing blood flow. This can cause excruciating agony and result in loss of consciousness, coma, or even death. Lifting a puppy by the collar can potentially cause neck and spine injuries, which can have long-term consequences for your puppy.

Don’ts:Raise them by their tails

Lifting a puppy by their tail should be avoided at all costs because it can cause physical harm to their spine, nerves, and muscles. Another reason not to pick up your dog by the tail is that it may cause emotional damage. Puppies need to feel safe and protected in order to develop emotionally, and roughhousing them might contribute to anxiety difficulties later in life.

Don’ts:Cradle your puppy like a baby

Cradling your puppy like a baby may appear to be a wonderful idea, but it can result in a variety of problems. When you do this, your puppy is left unsupported and vulnerable to falling, which can result in catastrophic injuries such as fractured bones. Instead, use the tips above to support your dog's entire body and avoid dangerous slips and falls.

Don’ts:Permit kids to unattended pick up the puppy

Young children can have a lot of fun with puppies, but it's important to make sure they learn the proper techniques for picking up small dogs securely. Spend time with your kids and teach them the proper method to care for a puppy. Make sure they are aware of how crucial it is to not take them up by their tail, legs, collar, or scruff of their neck. Avoid letting kids pick up their pet unattended because this can result in accidents that cause harm.

Puppies are a lot of fun and simple to love, but you must know how to handle them carefully so that they grow up happy, healthy, and strong! You'll be able to enjoy your new furry family member's company without accidently harming or scaring them if you follow the suggestions in this article.