How to Safely Pick Up and Build Trust with Your New Dog
Learn the correct way to pick up your dog and build trust in the first few weeks with these 5 essential steps.
1. The Correct Physical Pickup
When picking up a dog, especially a first-time experience, it's crucial to support their body correctly. For small breeds like Chihuahuas, lift them under the chest and support their hind legs. For medium to large breeds, like a Labrador, use a 'hug' technique: wrap your arms around their chest and support their back end. Always keep a firm grip but avoid squeezing.
For a Great Dane, you may need to kneel and lift them from the floor, supporting their front end with one hand and their back end with the other. This ensures their weight is evenly distributed and they feel secure.
- Support the chest for small breeds
- Use a 'hug' technique for medium to large breeds
- Kneel and lift from the floor for Great Danes
- Keep a firm but gentle grip
- Avoid squeezing or causing discomfort
2. Trust-Building Sequence
Building trust with your new dog is a gradual process. Start with these clear steps:
1. Spend time sitting or lying on the floor, allowing your dog to approach you at their own pace.
2. Offer treats and gentle petting, focusing on the chest and neck areas where dogs feel most comfortable.
3. Gradually introduce handling of their paws and tail, always with positive reinforcement.
- Spend time on the floor
- Offer treats and gentle petting
- Gradually introduce handling of paws and tail
- Positive reinforcement is key
- Take your time and be patient
3. When Not to Handle
There are times when handling your dog should be avoided to prevent stress or discomfort:
1. After feeding: Wait at least 30 minutes to allow them to digest properly.
2. During shedding: Avoid handling them too much to prevent shedding on your clothes.
3. While asleep: Let them rest undisturbed.
4. When rushed: Take your time to handle them calmly.
- Wait 30 minutes after feeding
- Avoid handling during shedding
- Respect their sleep time
- Handle calmly, even when rushed
4. Stress Signals to Watch For
Dogs communicate stress through various signals. Be aware of these to ensure their comfort and well-being:
1. Lip licking
2. Shaking
3. Hiding
4. Pacing
5. Whining or growling
- Lip licking
- Shaking
- Hiding
- Pacing
- Whining or growling
Keep reading about Dog: Dog care sheet
Related questions
How often should I handle my new puppy for the first week?
Start with short sessions of handling, about 5 minutes per day, gradually increasing as your puppy becomes more comfortable.
What should I do if my dog becomes stressed during handling?
Stop immediately and give them space. Offer treats and gentle petting to help them relax. It may take time for them to get used to handling.
Is it okay to pick up my dog from the back end?
No, it's not recommended. Picking up from the back end can cause discomfort and may lead to a negative association with handling.
Not veterinary advice. This guide covers husbandry — housing, feeding, cleaning and handling. If your dog is injured, off food unusually long, or behaving abnormally, contact a veterinarian.