HOW TO LIFT A DOG
Avoiding Injuries
HOW TO LIFT A DOG
It is important to know how to correctly lift your dog up for his safety and for yours. Lifting a dog must be done in a way to avoid injury to you both and to put the dog at ease so that he doesn't struggle. In this article we will discuss techniques for lifting your dog and holding him for short periods.
How NOT To Lift
Photo 1 shows a dog being incorrectly lifted by his forelegs.
Lifting a dog up by his front legs (as shown in Photo 1) can cause strain and injury to your pet's joints and bones. Although I see owners lifting their dogs in this manner frequently, it is never safe.
The dog's entire body weight is being forced onto his forelegs at an unnatural angle. If the dog were to struggle there is a good chance that he could hurt himself. Lifting a dog by his front legs also requires you to lean over him, lifting with your back overextended and making you vulnerable to muscle strain or to falling over if the dog were to squirm.
Lifting Smaller Dogs
The key to a safe lift is support. Supporting the dog around the chest and rear legs gives stability and reduces the jitters or nervousness that accompanies being lift off the ground. Again, we're trying to reduce the awkward feeling of being lifted AND maintain safety for both you and your dog. Giving your dog the most stable platform and leg support is important. Ensuring that the weight of the dog is supported in your arms is also important.
Scooping from behind while supporting the chest Photo 2.
In this technique (as shown in Photo 2), the dog is scooped up from the rear and supported at the chest. This provides him with comfort and security and allows you to lift with your legs, not your back. If at all possible, I prefer to make this lift with a wall to my back to give me extra support and prevent us from falling over if the dog struggles.
Photo 3 – holding the dog with his weight supported.
After lifting the dog, maintain the cradle you created giving support at his hind and chest area. It is important for your safety to maintain straight posture. Do not lean over your dog or slouch while carrying him as doing so will increase the chance of injury to your back.
Large Dog Lift
If you must lift a large or heavy dog, it is best to use two people. As shown in Photo 3, the dog is lifted with a similar lifting technique as described above but with one person at the front and another person supporting the weight at the back under the stomach.
This is the correct lifting technique to momentarily lift a large dog onto a vet examination table or into a vehicle. It is used for only a few seconds to move the dog from one place to another. The dog should not be carried for long periods or long distances with this technique. The shared distribution of weight makes it easier for the humans to do the lifting while also making it comfortable and less frightening for the dog.
Lifting A Skittish Dog
You may find it necessary to lift a skittish or nervous dog. If this is the case, the lifting technique remains mostly the same but your should take extra precautions to ensure you are not bitten. Instead of scooping the dog from behind, it will be necessary when lifting bigger dogs to support their weight at the chest and stomach area.
Nervous dogs can sometimes bite defensively. This is the case with both nervous or injured dogs. If you have a muzzle at hand, fit it onto the dog before attempting to move them. If the dog lashes out in defense or pain, you will reduce the extent of injury to yourself.
If you don't have a muzzle nearby, you can use a leash, cloth or belt to temporarily secure the dog's mouth while you lift him. In these cases, be aware of the increased likelihood that the dog will struggle. The inset of Photo 4 shows a towel being wrapped around the dog's head to temporarily restrain before lifting. Put a wall to your back and have assistance nearby.
Moving Injured & Immobile
An injured dog or one that has been immobilized by injury must be moved gently. The best approach is to wrap the dog in a blanket or towel and move him using an extra set of human hands. It is crucial that injured animals be moved gently with the least amount of shifting as possible that might further injure or upset them.
In this technique a large injured dog is lain on blanket or large towel as shown in Photo 5. He is lifted gently by the corners of the blanket with the least amount of disturbance or movement to be moved onto a veterinary examination table for treatment.
Training the Lift
It's essential to practice lifting your dog. You should both be used to and comfortable with the techniques above for when the time comes that you may need to lift him in a real life situation. Practice lifting your dog and rewarding him for calm submissiveness. Lift and set him down numerous times until he is relaxed during the whole process.
Copyright © 2016 by Patrick Bundock. All rights reserved.