Handling your dog safely is essential for their well-being as well as your peace of mind. No matter the size or breed, every dog needs to be handled properly to avoid injuries and to nurture a trusting bond. If you’re a long-time dog owner, you may already know a few techniques already, but if this is new to you, you may feel less confident you know what you’re doing.
Don’t worry if you’re the latter, as it can be normal to feel slightly underprepared, so to help, below you will find a short guide that will quickly get you up to speed. From knowing the right way to lift and carry to how to make every interaction with your pet both safe and reassuring, you’ll find plenty of information below.
Learning to Understand Your Dog’s Behaviour
Dogs communicate a lot through their body language, and catching on to these cues can help you understand their needs and moods better. For instance, a wagging tail doesn’t always mean happiness, as the way the tail is wagging can tell a different story. A relaxed tail with a gentle wag usually means they’re happy, but a stiff, fast wag could indicate tension or alertness.
Pay attention to their ears, eyes, and general posture too. Ears pinned back might mean your dog is feeling anxious, scared or uncomfortable, while forward ears often show interest or attention. If their eyes are wide and showing a lot of white, they might be stressed or anxious. If you can spot these signs early on, it can prevent misunderstandings and help you respond appropriately. Understanding a dog’s body language is as essential as being aware of their different life stages. For example, knowing how long is a dog pregnant and noticing behavioral changes during this time can help you provide the best care. Pregnant dogs may exhibit nesting behaviors, seek extra affection, or become more protective. Paying attention to these cues and preparing for the arrival of puppies ensures your dog feels safe, supported, and well-cared-for throughout this important period.
It’s also important to note how they react to new situations or strangers too. Some dogs are more cautious or reserved than others, needing a bit more space and time to warm up. Always watch out for these cues and allow your dog to approach in their own time. This can ensure interactions are much more positive and stress-free overall.
What Are The Right Techniques for Lifting & Holding?
When attempting to lift and hold your dog, be sure you are doing so properly and for the right reasons. Incorrectly holding can cause injury, both to you and your pet, especially as they get older or if they have existing health conditions.
- For small dogs and puppies, always use both hands. Place one hand under their chest, just behind the front legs, and the other supporting their hind legs and bottom. This way, you distribute their weight evenly and avoid putting undue stress on any part of their body.
- For medium and larger dogs, lifting might not always be necessary or practical, but if you must lift them, keep their spine aligned and avoid bending their back or legs awkwardly. It’s best to squat down, wrap your arms around their hindquarters and chest, and lift with your legs rather than your back to keep both you and your dog safe from strain.
When holding your dog, whether to calm them or for a health check at the vet, ensure they feel secure but not restricted. Hold them firmly enough to prevent wriggling free, but gently enough that they don’t feel trapped. This reassures your dog, making them more likely to remain calm and cooperative during handling. If your dog is hard of hearing, such as when they get older, or losing their sight, it’s important to not startle them. You’ll want to ensure you communicate effectively with a deaf dog by being in their line of sight, so do not attempt to pick them up if they cannot see you in front of them. Finding what’s right for your dog is important, and remember, if there is no good reason to pick them up, they’ll be much happier being on their feet instead.
Grooming & Health Checks
Like most owners, you’ll want to ensure your dog keeps looking their best, but when grooming, it’s also the perfect time to check your dog’s general health too.
- When grooming, make sure to brush your dog’s coat regularly to prevent matting and to distribute natural oils evenly across their skin. Incorporating supplements like fish oil for dogs into their diet can also help promote a healthy coat and skin. Whether your dog has a long or short coat, gentle brushing can be a calming activity that strengthens your bond. Doing this from an early age will get them used to being touched, making grooming much easier as they get older.
- You won’t always need to give your dog a bath, so only do so when needed, such as after a particularly muddy walk. Depending on your dog’s lifestyle and coat type, using a dog-specific shampoo will help avoid skin irritation.
- Remember to check and clean their ears regularly to prevent infections too, especially in breeds with floppy ears. Remember that as their ears are delicate, you’ll need to carefully handle them, the same as when checking their eyes for any issues or debris.
- Make it a routine to check their paws for any lodged debris or cuts, and keep their nails trimmed to prevent discomfort and mobility issues. Keeping an order to the body parts you are checking will help this become routine for your dog too.
- Regularly examining their teeth can help catch dental problems early, and feeling their body for any unusual lumps or bumps during grooming sessions can lead to early detection of potential health issues.
A routine not only keeps your dog healthy but also familiarises them with being handled, which can make trips to the vet and other handling situations less stressful.
Training for Safe Handling
One of the best ways to ensure your dog becomes used to being handled is through training from an early age. Training your dog to accept safe handling from when they are a pup will ensure later in life they feel relaxed when doing so.
- Start with basic commands like ‘sit’, ‘stay’, and ‘come’, which can help your dog stay calm and controlled during handling. Introducing your dog to being touched in different areas such as paws, ears, and their tail can desensitise them to contact and make grooming and health checks much easier.
- Positive reinforcement also plays a key role in this training. Reward your dog with treats and praise for cooperating during handling sessions. This not only makes the experience positive but also reinforces their good behaviour.
Whilst training should hopefully be straightforward and is a normal part of most dog’s development, if your dog shows signs of stress or discomfort, take it slow and keep sessions short. Like many owners, you may find dog training classes are effective for additional guidance on how to handle your dog safely, especially if your pet is particularly anxious or resistant.
Keep Consistent With Handling & You’ll Notice The Difference
Training your dog isn’t always easy and it will take time. It’s important to keep a routine with this and keep this as positive and relaxed as possible. Remember that dogs can pick up on our emotions such as frustration or anger, so keep it happy and fun – not only will your dog enjoy it, but you’ll certainly look forward to each session. Eventually, you can look forward to having a strong bond with your four-legged friend that lasts a lifetime.
Be sure to speak to your vet who will be able to offer further advice, and consider finding help from a specialist dog behaviourist if you have any concerns along the way.
