Even The Best Of Us Might Be Hurting Our Dogs By Picking Them Up Wrongly: See How To Do It Properly
There are hundreds of reasons why you might have to pick up a dog, but the question is, how to pick a dog up properly? Well, that depends on the dog…
The easiest way to pick up a dog is to cradle it in your arms, but what if the dog in question weighs more than you do? Or if it’s injured, or pregnant? Read on for different ways to pick up dogs, and how to carry them too.
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How To Pick Up A Dog If It Has Back Problems
Only pick up a dog with back problems if it is absolutely necessary. Place one arm between your dog’s front legs and the other between his back legs, making sure that you support the full length of his body to avoid putting strain on his back.
How to Tell if Your Dog Is Pregnant
Dogs don’t have the option of picking up a pregnancy test kit from the pharmacy, which means we have to rely on other methods to determine if a dog is pregnant. The most accurate way to tell if a dog is pregnant is through diagnostic testing.
Diagnostic testing isn’t the only way to determine whether a dog is pregnant, although it is the most accurate. There are signs of dog pregnancy you can watch for, including:
In addition, some dogs may vomit and have a decrease in appetite for a few days in the first few weeks due to changes in hormones. “Some dogs will exhibit these sighs, but may actually be experiencing a false pregnancy,” says Dr. Klein. “There are also other conditions that can cause changes in appetite, weight gain, and a swollen abdomen. To rule out a more serious condition, take your dog to the veterinarian for a checkup.”
Once you have determined that your dog is pregnant, there are some steps you should take to make sure she stays healthy throughout her pregnancy.
One of the most important things you can do for your pregnant bitch is make sure she receives proper nutrition. If your dog is already on a good quality dog food and is at a healthy weight, you won’t have to make any changes to her diet for the first two-thirds of her pregnancy unless otherwise directed by your veterinarian. In fact increasing the amount of food at this stage can be harmful.
As her weight increases in the last weeks of her pregnancy, veterinarians recommend increasing her food intake gradually, until she consumes 35-to-50 percent more than usual. Increase her intake slowly and feed her small, frequent meals, as large meals can cause discomfort.
If you’re trying to breed your dog, some veterinarians believe that limiting strenuous exercise during the first two weeks of gestation will enhance the implantation of the embryos. After that, normal exercise is fine until your dog’s belly is enlarged. “During her last trimester, the best exercise for your dog should not be overly strenuous. Shorter and possibly more frequent walks will be more beneficial for the mother to be as she needs her energy to carry the pups and give them nutrition,” suggests Dr. Klein.
Before you breed your dog, take her to the vet for a prenatal checkup. She should be up-to-date on vaccinations. Your vet will probably recommend either a fecal exam to check for intestinal parasites or just have your dog de-wormed with an appropriate medication suited for your dog prior to mating.
It is now thought that de-worming the pregnant dam with an appropriate de-wormer (Fenbendazole) starting on her third trimester (about day 40 of gestation) and continuing under about 14 days post whelping significantly decreases the amount of roundworm and hookworms in newborn puppies, allowing them to grow and thrive to their utmost.
You should also ask your veterinarian what to do in the event of an emergency near the time of expected labor and set up a plan with your family and pet sitter.
Regular veterinary visits can help your dog stay healthy during pregnancy.
When the veterinarian confirms your dog’s pregnancy, they will also examine the dog for any mechanical or anatomical concerns your dog may have that could prevent them from having a normal whelped litter.
This is a good time to discuss planning on whether a normal birth or cesarean may need to be considered and scheduled in advance. If during the exam your veterinarian determines that your dog is already pregnant, and if the pregnancy is an accident, this is also a good time to discuss taking precautions in the future, such as spaying, to prevent any more surprise litters.
As the end of your dog’s pregnancy approaches, you’ll notice a significant enlargement of her breasts and nipples, and might even detect some milky fluid as the milk glands develop and enlarge. Her abdomen will increase in size and may sway a little as she walks. At the very end of the pregnancy, you might even be able to see or feel the puppies moving around inside the mother.
By this time, you want to prepare yourself and your dog for whelping, or puppy birthing. The best way to do this is to set up a whelping box. Whelping boxes offer a safe, warm, draft-free, easily cleaned location for your dog to have her puppies. There are whelping boxes made that can be purchased or you can even use a small children’s plastic swimming pool. The whelping box should be easy for the mother, but not the puppies, to get in and out of. Your dog may prefer to have it in a quiet area of the house but in an area that you can have easy access.
Once you have purchased or built your whelping box, take some time to get your dog accustomed to it. If you don’t introduce her to the whelping box beforehand, she might decide to deliver someplace else—like your closet.
If this is your first time breeding your dog, talk to your veterinarian about your role during labor, and read and learn what you need to know. Unless you plan to have an experienced breeder on hand, you will need to be prepared to step in when necessary during the whelping process. It’s always a good idea to have another person there with you to help keep the puppies warm or to assist if you need help.
How to Carry a Pregnant Dog the Correct Way!! / Matt’s Frenchies
If you’re moving around with your dog, ideally they’re walking by your side. Nothing beats the walk for exercise, bonding, and mental stimulation as your dog gets a chance to sniff some of the things the world has to offer.
But occasionally, whether to lift them onto an exam table, or other surface, or to lift them out of a tight spot, you may find it necessary to pick up your pup. It seems pretty straightforward! But there are some techniques you can use to lift them in the safest, most comfortable way.
Watch the video below for a quick demo of some vet-approved techniques for picking up your dog. Read more here about best practices for the pick-up.
First, give your dog a cue that you’re going to lift them. It’s not pleasant for anyone to be going about their business and suddenly finding themselves airborne.
Small dogs: Put your dominant arm underneath your dog’s chest with your hand between their front legs. Then, as you lift them up, use your other hand to tuck their legs or backside into your body so they’re fully supported.
Another option: Put one arm under their front legs like a forklift and lift up, while supporting their feet with the other hand, and holding them against your body.
Bigger dogs: Bend at the knees! Place one arm around the front of their chest (under the neck) and one arm around their back legs underneath the rump. Lift up with your legs.
Don’t pick them up by the front legs (or “underarms”) like a baby—it can strain their ligaments.
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