How to Pick Up a Puppy

Last Updated: May 6, 2021 References Approved

When you're picking up a puppy to hold him, you want to be gentle. Puppies, like babies, can be easily hurt. In addition, you also want to know what to do when you're picking up a puppy to bring it home to live with you. Either way, this article has you covered.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Picking Up and Holding a Puppy Properly

1
Place a hand under your puppy's chest. Start by using your hand to support the puppy's chest, where the rib cage is. You can also use your forearm once you pick the puppy up. You'll need to go in from the side and place your hand between the dog's front legs.^{[1]
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2
Support the back end. As you lift the puppy up, use your other hand to support the back end. In other words, your other hand or arm should be under the puppy's back legs and butt.^{[2]
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American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
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3
Lift the pup up. Once your hands are in position, lift the puppy up. Make sure you continue to support both its chest and rump as you hold it. However, you can place one arm underneath the rump, and one arm around the torso, pulling the pup towards your body once you have it at chest height. Hold the puppy close to your body, not out away from you, as it can wriggle out of your arms.^{[3]
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4
Place the puppy down the same way. When moving the puppy back to the floor, make sure you still support the puppy's chest and rump. Also, never drop the puppy. Gently lower it all the way to the floor.^{[4]
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5
Never grab a pup by its neck or tail. While you may know not to yank on a pup's tail or pick it up that way, you should also not do that with the puppy's neck, even if you're holding it by the scruff. You could injure or even kill the puppy. Also, don't try to pick up the dog by a leg, as you could hurt the leg.^{[5]
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American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Leading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal cruelty
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Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Training a Puppy to Like Being Held

1
Sit down with your pup in your lap. One good way to start getting your puppy used to you is to sit on the floor and place the puppy in your lap. If you can't sit on the floor, sit in a chair, and place the puppy in your lap.^{[6]
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- Try to hold on to the collar so he doesn't run away. You can simply put a finger in the collar.
2
Soothe the puppy. Rub the puppy's head. Use gentle, soft strokes, running all along the pup's head. In addition, gently rub his chest. Another good place to rub is at the base of his ears.^{[7]
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- You can also talk to your pup in a soothing tone, telling it all is well, and that it is safe and comfortable.
- Continue your soothing patting and talking until the puppy is completely relaxed.
3
Turn him over on his back. Once your puppy is relaxed, you can turn him on his back, still in your lap. Gently rub his belly in circular motions, making sure to not be too rough. You can also rub where the thigh meets the tummy.^{[8]
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- Start with short sessions first, under five minutes. Get your puppy used to it.
- After your puppy can relax, make the time it spends in your lap longer each time.
- Never force the puppy to lay on his back. If he is squirming, he's most likely uncomfortable. If this happens, allow the puppy to change his position.
4
Have other people pick it up. You don't want to only socialize the puppy with you. You need to also socialize it with other members of the family. Additionally, try having anyone who visits the house socialize with your pup by picking it up and holding it for a few minutes.^{[9]
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- Teach them how to soothe the puppy, so it will feel safe in the person's arms.
- Socializing your dog with a variety of people will help when you take the puppy out in public, as it won't be as wary of strangers. Also, it helps when you go to the vet, as your pup will be accustomed to being restrained by strangers.
5
Hold the pup even when struggling. If you let the puppy down when it struggles, it learns that is the way to get down. Therefore, if your pup struggles during a cuddle session, hold on. Place his back to your stomach, where the pup cannot bite you in the face. Have a hand on his stomach, pressing it up to you and another hand on the collar.^{[10]
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- Hold the pup in this position until it calms down, then try petting it again.
- However, you may not want to put friends or family who visit through a struggling pup.
6
Try kibble. Another way to help encourage socialization is to use food. When it's time for the pup's meal, have someone touch an ear or a paw, for instance, then give the pup a piece of its food. The pup will associate the touching with positive reinforcement.^{[11]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Picking Up a Puppy from a Shelter or Store

1
Have a tag and collar with you. Get a tag with your contact information on it. Pick up an appropriate collar. That way, when you go to pick up your puppy, you can put it on the pup. If the pup escapes on the way home, it will at least have your information on it.^{[12]
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2
Have a dog carrier with you. While it's tempting to just hold a puppy in your lap, a puppy is safest traveling in a carrier or crate. If you can fit it in your car, you can use a crate that you plan to crate your puppy in at home. If not, consider a smaller carrier to help keep your puppy safe.^{[13]
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- Have a towel or blanket in the carrier for your puppy. It can help the pup feel more comfortable, though be aware that it may use the bathroom on the way home.
3
Bring someone along. When bringing a dog home, it can be helpful to have someone else along. That way, you or that person can sit with the puppy in the back on the way home.^{[14]
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4
Ask about a feeding schedule. When you get to the place you're picking up your puppy, ask when the puppy is normally fed and how much. You should also ask what kind of food the dog eats. When you get the pup home, try to keep it on the same schedule and food, to make it less confusing for it.^{[15]
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5
Complete the paperwork. For adoptions and dog purchases, you'll need to fill out some paperwork. Plus, you'll need the registration for the dog. In addition, you'll likely need to pay a fee before leaving.^{[16]
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6
Put your puppy in the carrier. Once you've filled out all the paperwork, it's time to take your pup home. Put the pup in the carrier you've brought, making sure the pup can sit or stand in the carrier.
7
Have someone sit in the back with him. Have the person you brought sit with the puppy. Also, keep everything calm. Don't blast music, for instance, but just let everything be quiet and calm for the pup.^{[17]
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- If the pup starts whining, the person sitting with it can put his or her hand up to the gate or talk to the pup in a soothing voice.
8
Secure the carrier. For a small carrier, your best option is to set it on the floor behind your seat, as buckling the carrier in could cause problems in a crash. If the carrier is larger, then place it in the back seat. The back of an SUV is not a great option, since that area is often considered a "crumple zone" in a crash, meaning it is the area that designers allow to crumple for the purpose of protecting passengers.^{[18]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Getting Your Home Ready for a Puppy

1
Make sure your house is ready. Puppies can and will get into everything. Therefore, you need to make sure your home is ready before you bring your dog home. That way, you protect both your new puppy and your home.^{[19]
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- For instance, you can start by sectioning off where the dog will be at first, using baby gates. You may not want a puppy in carpeted areas, for instance, as you'll need to potty train it.
- Move any dangerous items out of the area. Take out any chemicals the puppy could get into or put them up high. Take out plants, rugs, and anything else the puppy could destroy or be harmed by.
- Tape up any electrical so your pup can't chew on them.
2
Have supplies ready. Before you go and pick up your dog, you need to make sure that you have everything you need for a dog. You'll need a food bowl, a water bowl, a leash, toys, and a crate, if you plan to crate-train your dog. A dog bed or a blanket dedicated to your dog is also a good idea.^{[20]
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3
Talk about house rules. That is, establish who is going to feed him and when. In addition, decide who will walk it and clean up after it. Also, make sure you establish what rooms the puppy is allowed in.^{[21]
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The Humane Society of the United States
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- It's also important to determine which commands you're going to use. You don't want one person saying "Sit!" and another person saying "Butt Down!" for the same action because that's just confusing for the dog. Print out a list of commands to put on the refrigerator so everyone remembers.^{[22]
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4
Set up the crate. Crates give dogs a place to call their own. Plus, having a crate can help you train your puppy. If you decide to get a crate, have it set up before your puppy comes home.^{[23]
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- Pick a crate that's large enough for your dog to grow up in. When your dog is full-grown, it should be able to stand up, stretch out, and sit in the crate.^{[24]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Can you pick up a newborn puppy?

Kateryna Zabashta
Dog Breeder
Kateryna Zabashta is a Dog Breeder and the Owner of Emma’s Frenchies in the San Francisco Bay Area. With over five years of experience, Kateryna specializes in dog nutrition, general care, and breeding French Bulldogs.

Kateryna Zabashta

Dog Breeder

Expert Answer

Some dogs will be really protective over their puppies right after they're born, especially if it's her first litter. If you do pick up the puppy, hold it close to the mom and let her smell it. Don't take it off somewhere away from her, or she might get distressed.