How to Pick Up a Dog Safely and Respectfully

Imagine being lifted in the air by a giant, often without any warning at all. This is what life feels like for many dogs who are plucked from the ground and held by their guardians. While it may seem harmless to scoop up a small dog, being lifted off the ground can be frightening, and if it’s done incorrectly, it can even cause serious injuries. Learning how to pick up a dog safely helps protect their body while showing respect for their comfort and boundaries.

How to Pick Up a Dog Safely in 5 Simple Steps

1. Let the dog know you’re about to lift them instead of surprising them.
2. Place one arm beneath the chest, behind the front legs.
3. Place your other arm beneath their hindquarters, supporting their weight evenly.
4. Lift smoothly while keeping the dog close to your body.
5. Continue supporting both the chest and the rear until you gently set them back down.

When holding a dog, you must always support the weight of their bottom and chest equally. Holding them with equal support to their front and rear end keeps their spine in a more natural position and helps them feel more secure.

Some dogs enjoy being held by people they trust, while others feel frightened or stressed.  Before lifting a dog, pay attention to their body language. If they seem tense, fearful, or uncomfortable, avoid forcing the interaction unless it’s necessary for their safety or medical care.

How to Pick Up an Injured Dog

An injured dog needs even more care, because pain can make the gentlest dog bite, and a careless lift can worsen the damage.

• Approach slowly from the side rather than head-on, speak softly, and give the dog a moment to see and smell you before you touch them.
• Support their body as one unit—one arm beneath the chest, the other beneath the hindquarters—keeping the injured area as still as possible and never pressing on a wound or a limb that may be broken.
• Keep their head and neck supported and in line with the rest of the body, and never let the head hang loose.
• If the dog was hit by a car, fell from a height, or can’t stand or use their back legs, treat it as a possible spinal or pelvic injury: Don’t lift them in your arms at all. Instead, slide them gently onto a firm, flat surface—a board, a sturdy box lid, or a taut blanket—without twisting their body, and keep their spine as straight and still as you can while you move them.
• A soft muzzle or a leash used as a makeshift muzzle—or even a thick blanket placed between you and the dog—can help protect you from a bite, but never muzzle a dog who is vomiting, struggling to breathe, or who has an injury to the face or mouth. Call a veterinarian for guidance before moving them. Always remove the muzzle or blanket as soon as it’s no longer needed, or if the dog vomits or has difficulty breathing.

Why Picking Up a Dog Properly Matters

Lifting a dog by the front legs or armpits places all their body weight on the shoulders and front limbs, which can be painful and may cause injury. Never pick up small dogs this way or by simply scooping underneath a dog’s belly without supporting the rest of their body.

Without proper support, the dog may struggle, twist, or fall from your arms. It’s vital to hold them comfortably and securely—a dog falling from the height of a human’s chest can lead to catastrophic injuries.

How to Protect Your Dog and Keep Their Joints Healthy

Picking up a dog properly is just one of the many ways you can help protect their body throughout their life. Everyday habits—from how you lift them to whether they jump on and off furniture or climb stairs—can affect their joints and long-term mobility. Learning how to reduce unnecessary strain on their body can help keep them comfortable, active, and safe for years to come.

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