Being held—which can range from a warm hug to a cuddle in your lap—can increase a dog’s stress level and cause him to exhibit overt anxiety symptoms. When you pick up your puppy, he may not simply be acting like a typical wiggly puppy.
Why is it that my dog doesn’t like to be lifted up?
Today we’re going to discuss how to train your little dog or puppy to feel at ease when you pick them up, building on our Small Dogs Need Training Too blog from a few weeks ago. All dogs, regardless of size, should follow this rule, but tiny dogs in particular should, as they will probably have to endure being picked up more frequently throughout their lifetime.
We might need to pick up our small dog or puppy for the following reasons:
When we are raising a puppy, we also carry them more often because they can’t go as far as an older dog and we need to get them to the bathroom regions on time, avoid contact with outside surfaces before immunization, and do so. Most puppies initially take this carrying activity fairly well, however it is very uncommon for puppies to reach a point where it is no longer as comfortable or enjoyable to be carried! Your dog is employing these behaviors to communicate with you that they don’t like what you are doing when you notice undesirable actions like wriggling to get up, whining, nipping at your fingers, or snarling. Getting bigger makes being picked up less comfortable, so this change in tolerance to being picked up can occur to some extent as part of a puppy’s normal physical development. However, it also frequently happens as a result of us picking up the puppy too frequently or failing to teach the puppy how to feel calm and confident about being picked up.
The good news is that you can teach your puppy or older small dog a calm picking up behavior by doing a number of different activities with them.
1. Limit Use: Let your puppy walk as often as you can, and only pick up when absolutely necessary. Yes, carrying a dog about to speed up the process can be really convenient, but the more we do it, the more money we are taking out of the behavior bank account. Only pick up your puppy when absolutely essential (such as while climbing stairs), and try to avoid doing so at all other times. It’s also crucial to avoid picking up your puppy to get away from anything thrilling because this can make them feel awful about being picked up. It’s so simple to pick up our puppy when we see them getting into mischief (like chewing on something unsuitable) and divert them, yet this may be quite upsetting for our dogs. Try to reroute them in a new direction so they can maintain their ground contact instead!
2. Add a Cue: Make sure the dog is aware of your impending pickup by including a cue! I employ the word “Increase for Jamie. Before I actually picked him up, I would prepare myself to say this term as soon as I was about to reach down for him. I always gave a reward after each cued pick-up in the beginning (see #3!). A few months later, I verbally cue it a little bit earlier (1-2 full seconds) and wait for his approval (see #5).
3. Be Pleasant: We want our small dogs to view being picked up as a positive experience! Prepare enjoyable items for peace in your arms. I give my puppy a treat after “Boost and practice the quick sequence “Boost > pick up > treat > release back to the floor > repeat with him. We want the puppy to understand that being picked up doesn’t necessarily entail a long carry or tight squeeze in your arms, but rather that they occasionally get to resume their previous activity. Additionally, it’s crucial to watch out not to startle our dogs when picking them up because this may be really unpleasant. This concept is also related to utilizing a cue to inform your dog to what is happening.
4. Calm Gets Down: By teaching our dogs that remaining calm while in our arms, they will eventually be let go! This relates to tip #3 about keeping breaks brief and sweet: if you pick up your puppy and they remain quiet for a few seconds, put them back down. Repeat! They get to descend when they are calm and at ease. We also need to bear in mind that forcing a puppy to stay in your arms until they calm down won’t do them any good if they are actually trying to escape. This is probably going to make things worse. In the little periods of time that our dogs can take, try to catch calm behaviors to encourage; if they are constantly entering a struggling, biting mode, then we are pushing things too far.
5. Strive for Voluntary Participation: You can teach your dog to communicate with you “Yes, I’m prepared for pickup. When Jamie and I first started conditioning pick-up techniques, I didn’t really ask Jamie’s permission before picking him up, but I also didn’t pick him up if he was purposefully attempting to avoid it. If your dog bites your fingers or flees when you try to pick him up (by walking or running away), we need to conduct some additional conditioning and baby steps before we can pick him up again. But now that we have a solid foundation in place, where our puppies like the process of being picked up, I prefer to add the next layer by encouraging my dog to ask to be taken up. When I first placed my hand beneath Jamie’s tummy, it appeared as though he was shifting a little bit of weight into my hand. I’d remark “I would pick him up after he did a little rise off the ground (very slight at first, almost like he was rising up on tip-toes) since he understood what was about to happen. I started waiting to ask for this small amount of consent once I noticed that the weight was shifting consistently before I lifted him. When I say “Boost bent down to pick him up, but when he didn’t agree to shift weight, I just stood there and waited. He began to understand that he had control over the situation because he would typically volunteer to shift the weight within a few seconds. I wouldn’t pick him up if he wasn’t on board. His weight shift has now fully developed into a launch-into-arms behavior, so the majority of the time he is actively engaging in being picked up rather than being scooped. This level of control helps to develop a robust behavior that the dog will want to engage in. Jamie and I have been working on this for almost 5 months now, so don’t expect this to happen quickly. Instead, start with steps 1-4 above and go on to this when you’re ready.
What happens if your puppy growls when you lift them up once? How do you behave?
Don’t freak out if it’s an isolated incident or the first time it’s happened. Put your puppy to sleep and assess your surroundings. When you picked up your dog before, was there anything unusual about this photo (for example, a bone resource you were yanking your dog away from, or perhaps they had just woken up from a nap)? You will have more data to work with when you create training plan possibilities the more information you can gather and observe.
When a dog growls once-off in response to a physical interaction, I also make sure the dog is not experiencing any pain or suffering that I am not aware of. Our dogs occasionally experience soreness from hard play with a companion or from having a burr irritate their armpit. Before starting any serious behavior adjustment plan, rule out the potential impact of pain.
Plan to examine some picking up confidence after that! Make it positive and enjoyable by going back a few steps in difficulty (for instance, start by simply reaching out to your puppy). Even if the occurrence was a one-time display of discomfort for whatever reason, it’s always a good idea to look back, review, and accumulate excellent conduct.
Time to work on some simpler steps (such merely reaching for your puppy = treat) for the time being and avoid lifting them up at all costs for the moment. To assist you build a step-by-step conditioning plan to make your puppy more comfortable with this routine, a dog trainer would be a huge benefit to your team.
What if your puppy or dog is acting somewhat aggressively toward you when you try to pick them up, leading to an attempted or successful bite towards you or a member of your family?
It’s time to work with a behavior specialist to develop a step-by-step plan for changing this behavior pattern. In the interim, avoid picking up your dog at all costs because doing so will probably only make things worse.
How do dogs respond when they are picked up?
- Growling, barking, whining, and snapping at your extended hands are among more overt or aggressive indications that your dog dislikes being held.
- Dog specialists advise that the chest, shoulders, base of the neck, and beneath the chin are the ideal areas of a dog’s body to stroke.
In New Delhi:
Being able to resist picking up puppies when they are a living, breathing manifestation of “cuteness” with mesmerizing eyes can be quite difficult. But do they perceive your act of affection for your dog in the same way? No! Dogs despise it when we pick them up like our own fur babies, as heartbreaking as the news may seem.
According to specialists on animals, picking up dogs all the time can be perceived as an invasion of their personal space. So, certainly, the hurrrr and humph sound that they make as we pick them up is a signal to the owners to “leave me be.” Leaning away, shrinking, yawning, lip-licking, revealing the whites of the eyes, and other gestures are examples of sings that convey a dislike of being held. Growling, barking, whining, and snapping at your extended hands are some of the other, more overtly aggressive indications.
Dogs and humans interact in different ways. However, dogs communicate through every part of their body, including the tail, ears, eyes, tongue, etc., as opposed to humans who use words as a form of communication.
Keep in mind that dogs detest being constantly patted on the head since we are discussing the least known deed that they dislike. While patting dogs may seem like a friendly gesture or a technique to relax them to us pet lovers, dogs really feel enclosed by the action. According to Sarah Bartlett, a certified international dog trainer, “The incorrect way to approach a dog is to come at them head-on, lean over them, and then kneel down to [touch them].
“Dogs dislike it when you speak above their level. Going directly into them is also pretty threatening to them,” she continued.
The chest, shoulders, base of the neck, and under the chin are among the greatest areas of a dog’s body to stroke, say dog specialists. To avoid appearing intimidating, remember to reach in from the side.
Do dogs become irritated when picked up?
1. Fixation! Staring is frequently interpreted as a challenge by dogs. If your dog becomes fixated on a squirrel, keep an eye on him; this is not a sign of friendly interest. A dog should not be subjected to prolonged staring. Even if your own dog won’t likely love it, you’ll probably have no trouble with it, but it might be perceived as a challenge by others. Instead, instruct folks to give your dog’s eyes a brief glance before moving on. And never look into a dog’s eyes that appear anxious, tense, or hostile!
2. Hugs Most likely, your dog won’t object if you give her hugs often. However, many dogs dislike being tightly hugged, especially by strangers or young children. Canines have never been known to grab each other to express affection, unlike primates. In actuality, a dog frequently tries to dominate or exert authority over another dog when it places its paws or body on that animal. So advise friends and relatives to choose gentle touching instead, unless your dog actively adores being cuddled.
3. shouting Your dog interprets yelling as angry barking, which she interprets as trouble. It is ineffective as a training method to stop undesirable behaviors and instead serves to frighten, perplex, or upset. Avoid shouting and maintain your composure instead. A serious tone of voice conveys, “Hey, I need your attention,” while a jocular tone conveys, “Good job!” or “Let’s play.” You may catch your dog’s attention by changing your voice tone rather than loudness without upsetting or startling her.
4. Bullying Children are particularly prone to making fun of dogs. Barking back at them from behind a fence, yanking on tails or ears, or even chasing after or grappling with a reluctant dog are all irritating behaviors that can make dogs hesitant, insecure, or even aggressive. Avoid tease your dog and be sure to praise him right away when he behaves well. Things like moving a dog’s dish as he eats, playing keep-away without ever letting the dog have the toy, or even continuous laser pointer sessions can drive a dog crazy.
5. Excessive Alone Time Because dogs are pack creatures, your family and you make up your dog’s pack. Dogs who are left alone for ten or more hours each day in a house or yard can have a variety of behavioral and psychological problems, including as separation anxiety, excessive barking or digging, destructive behavior, or fleeing. They might even lose their housebreaking abilities and ruin your house in the process.
Your dog needs to spend time with you because it is a member of your family. Ask a friend or neighbor to stop by once a day to take her for a walk if you work throughout the day and no one else can be home. If you can’t do that, make sure to spend time with her when you go back. She enjoys going on walks and playing fetch. Allow your dog to be close to you when you are at home. Getting your dog some company is important for her welfare since social interaction with others is important.
Six. Packed dog parks When placed in a park with an excessive number of unfamiliar dogs, many dogs get defensive or irritated. You’ll understand when you picture being abruptly shoved into an elevator with twenty clowns.
The same is true of canine daycares. If your dog is outgoing, she should get along with six or seven other dogs as long as the area is big enough and the other dogs are polite. But when the number of people or the available space increases, you’ll almost likely notice stress-related behaviors like pinned back ears, low tail carriage, yawning, avoidance, and occasionally even fights.
Is your dog friendly and physically able to handle play fighting? Try a dog-friendly park or daycare if that’s the case (about one dog per 150 square feet). If she is timid, try socializing her with a few dogs she is familiar with or calm, laid-back dogs. Avoid places like daycare or parks where there are a lot of agitated dogs.
7. Sleep interruptions Dude, I was dreaming! Even the friendliest dogs detest being abruptly woken. The abrupt appearance of someone touching them might startle dogs, especially older dogs that have a tendency to sleep more deeply and those whose hearing impairment may prevent them from hearing an approaching person.
Without touching them or sneaking up on them, let your dog wake up naturally. It’s important to teach kids in particular to respect a dog’s need for sleep. You wouldn’t want to be startled out of a pleasant dream. the reason why your dog? If you must awaken your dog, do so gently, quietly, and slowly.
8. Unusual Dogs Intruding creatures will make your dog nervous. He does it as a natural, instinctive response to the need to defend his territory. However, some individuals allow friends’ dogs to drop by unexpectedly because they believe that all dogs have an innate affinity for other dogs. Even the friendliest dog may become irritated by this and may engage in combat.
Instead, meet any unfamiliar dogs while out for a walk. Then, while the new dog is still on a leash, bring it inside your house and have both dogs practice down-stays for a while. Reward them with sweets, then allow them to engage quietly. Toys and chews should be gathered in advance to reduce arguments. Let them go outside and let off some steam if your yard is fenced in.
9. Routine Modifications Keep to the plan. Dogs are routine-driven. Schedules for eating and going potty, walking, and playtime These become ingrained in your dog’s memory, and she begins to anticipate them without much variety each day. Your dog may become stressed and develop behavioral issues if you take her out later than normal, change the timing of her food at random, or even leave or arrive unexpectedly. Stick as closely as you can to the schedule, diet, routine, or exercise that is producing results. Try to avoid sleeping in too late on days off. Take her for a walk every morning before you leave for work, even if you’re weary.
10. Stubborn Leash A loose-leash walk, which demonstrates that the dog is focused and paying attention, is one of every dog trainer’s goals. However, the majority of dogs today appear to drag their owners down the sidewalk when the leash is tightened behind them. This indicates that the dog is not only not paying attention, but also that his collar or harness is always under tension, which might have negative health effects. Even though the dog technically causes the tension, she finds it annoying.
Change the direction and speed of your training walks frequently and erratically to teach loose leash walking. When your dog appears to lose concentration, turn around and proceed in the opposite direction while maintaining the leash as free as possible. If she isn’t expecting it, slow to a crawl, pick up pace, or circle to the left or right. Reward her with a snack you can consume while moving when she reacts to these adjustments in position and pace while she is next to you. You’ll soon have a focused, content dog at your disposal.
11. Contradictory Decide on anything already. When you arrive home from work, you frequently invite your Golden Retriever to jump up on you. However, you reprimand the dog for doing the same to your mother when she pays a visit. Dogs are perplexed by this discrepancy and cannot understand what you want them to perform. Decide precisely what you want your dog to do and not do, then stick to it, to avoid this. Jumping shouldn’t be permitted, hence the behavior shouldn’t ever be accepted. Never offer food from your plate to a beggar if you don’t want them to. Be as observant of the laws as you can.
12. Accidentally Rude Greetings Do you wish to greet or to attack? The majority of people are unable to properly greet dogs. They squat, look, hold out their hand, and speak in strange baby babble. This is a dangerous method to approach a dog. The individual’s crouch first resembles a predator in its pre-attack position. The second menace is the look, which is only surpassed by the outstretched hand that reaches into their personal space and begs for a nip. This is a potentially dangerous method to welcome a dog in addition to being annoying.
The best greeting for an unfamiliar dog is none at all. Rather, say hello to the person walking the dog. The dog will sniff you as he moves and determine that you seem to be comfortable with him. You can then casually reach down and give the dog a quick pat on the head if he or she appears at ease and the owner confirms that it’s acceptable. I’m done now.
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