How to Pick Up a Small Adult Dog

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: June 6, 2025

• Picking Up a Healthy Small Adult Dog
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• Lifting Up an Injured Small Adult Dog
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• Picking Up a Stray Small Adult Dog
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• Expert Q&A

|Show more |Show less

Small adult dogs usually weigh under 50 lbs. Many small dogs can find being picked up uncomfortable, often because the person picking them up is doing it incorrectly. You may want to learn how to pick up your own small adult dog on a regular basis in way that is safe for your back and comfortable for your dog. You may also wonder how you can pick up a small adult dog who is injured or a stray, as you do not want to harm the dog or put yourself at risk when lifting the dog. Using the proper technique for each situation will ensure you and the dog are not at risk of injury.

Steps

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Picking Up a Healthy Small Adult Dog

1. 
   1
   Crouch behind the dog with your legs hip width apart. To ensure your back is supported, take a stance behind the small adult dog with equal weight in both feet. Make sure your feet are hip width apart. This will ensure you can lift the small dog without putting your lower back at risk. Then, crouch down until you are at the dog's level.

   • You can crouch down so you are at the level of the dog's body, with your arms relaxed at your sides. You may need to keep your heels off the ground when you crouch for comfort.
   • Approach the dog from the side so they can see you.
2. 
   2
   Slide one hand under the dog’s chest. Use your non-dominant hand to support the dog's upper body by sliding your arm through the dog's front legs until your hand is under their chest. You may put your hand under their chest and cup it to support the dog or wrap your hand lightly around one of the dog's legs.

   • The dog's head and neck should be free to move around when the dog is in your grip. You want to support their upper body with your hand without constraining them too much.
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3. 
   3
   Put your other hand under the dog’s hind quarters. Place your dominant hand underneath the dog’s hind quarters, or butt. Have your hand pointing forward with your fingers between the dog’s back legs. This will create a good support under their body and make it easier for you to lift them up.

   • Make sure you have a good grip on your dog’s hind quarters with your arm and your hands. Having a solid hold of the dog will ensure they do not slip out of your grip when you pick them up.
4. 
   4
   Pick the dog up. Once you have your arms in position, lift the dog straight up from a crouching position. Use your legs to raise yourself and the dog up. Hold the dog close to your chest as you lift them up. They should feel sturdy and secure in your arms.

   • Once you have lifted up the dog, you may then carry them a short distance and place them back down on a solid surface.
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Lifting Up an Injured Small Adult Dog

1. 
   1
   Crouch down behind the dog. If you are trying to lift up a small adult dog that is injured, you should move carefully around the dog. Make sure you are standing behind the dog with your legs hip width apart. Then, crouch down so you are at the dog's level.

   • When you are crouching behind the dog, you should observe any sensitive areas on the dog and avoid touching these spots when you lift them up. If you notice bandages around the dog’s ear, for example, you should make sure you avoid touching that spot when you lift the dog up.
2. 
   2
   Put one hand under the dog’s head. Place your non-dominant hand under the dog’s head, cupping their chin in the crook of your arm. You may then place your fingers on top of the dog’s head or around the side of their face.

   • Be careful not to put your hand too close to the dog’s mouth, especially if they appear agitated or upset when you touch them. Hold your fingers in a fist if you want to keep your fingers out of the way.
3. 
   3
   Place the other hand around the dog’s hind quarters. Use your dominant hand to support the dog’s hind quarters. Cup your hand under the dog’s butt, using your open palm as a support. Make sure you have a good hold of your dog’s hind quarters with your hand.

   • If you are not comfortable lifting the dog with your hand, you may slide your arm under the dog’s hind quarters and use your arm to support this area.
4. 
   4
   Lift the dog straight up. Once you have a good hold of the dog with both hands, raise the dog up from the crouching position. Lift with your legs so your lower back is protected. Keep the dog close to your chest as you raise them up.

   • You should be able to carry the injured dog a short distance using this hold.
   • If the dog has an injury on one or more of its limbs, you should try to put the dog down on a safe, solid surface as soon as possible, as carrying the dog for a prolonged period of time can make the injury worse.
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Picking Up a Stray Small Adult Dog

1. 
   1
   Crouch to one side of the dog. Start by standing to one side of the dog. Make sure the stray dog is not displaying any signs of aggression, such as growling, baring its teeth, or barking. If the stray dog seems docile, you can crouch down beside the dog and position your legs hip width apart.

   • Do not touch or pick up a stray dog that appears aggressive towards you or others. You may be putting yourself at risk of injury if you get too close to an aggressive stray dog.
2. 
   2
   Keep the dog calm using the leash. To keep the dog calm and make sure you are not at risk of injury, you can use the dog’s leash as a makeshift muzzle. Make sure the leash is clipped onto the dog. Then, bend down at the waist and wrap the leash one to two times around the dog’s mouth. Keep the leash firm but not too tight around the dog’s mouth. Throw the rest of the leash over the dog so it is out of the way.

   • If you do not want to muzzle the dog but need to keep the dog calm, use your non-dominant hand to grab onto the leash right at the dog’s collar. Hold the leash firmly at the dog’s collar with your hand so the dog cannot move around.
3. 
   3
   Place one hand under the dog’s head. Once you have calmed down the dog using the leash, place your non-dominant hand under the dog’s head. Support the dog’s neck and head in the crook of your arm. Make sure you keep the leash in your hand as you do this so the dog cannot move around.

   • Wrap your hand around the dog’s head or keep your hand away from the dog if you are worried about the dog nipping at you.
4. 
   4
   Put the other hand around the dog’s abdomen. Wrap your dominant hand around the dog’s abdomen, supporting the dog with your arm and hand. Your arm should be between the dog’s back legs to ensure they are supported.

   • You should have a good grip on the dog’s abdomen, enough that you could support the dog’s weight with your arm and hand.
5. 
   5
   Pick up the dog and bring it to a safe place. Once your hands are in position, rise from the crouching position using your legs to lift yourself up, keeping the dog close to your chest area. You can then hold the dog comfortably in your arms and bring them to a safe place nearby.

   • You may keep the dog in the makeshift muzzle or hold the dog at the collar as you hold them until you find a safe place to put down the dog.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question

  Do small dogs like to be picked up?

  

  Amanda Marshall-Polimeni
  Dog Behavior Consultant

  Amanda Marshall-Polimeni is a Dog Behavior Consultant and the Owner/Founder of FurryTales in New Jersey. With a deep understanding of behavioral learning theories and a passion for the physical and psychological well-being of animals, Amanda specializes in using non-coercive, reinforcement-based approaches to generate desired behaviors. Amanda holds a BASc in Applied Psychology from NYU and is a Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed (CPDT-KA) and Certified Behavior Consultant Canine (CBCC-KA). She has also completed a Master’s Course in Aggressive Dog Training. Her initiative and dedication to quality, comprehensive animal care at FurryTales led to her recognition by Grow by Acorns + CNBC.

  

  Amanda Marshall-Polimeni

  Dog Behavior Consultant

  Expert Answer

  Most dogs don't love being picked up, but through slow desensitization and consistent positive reinforcement, they can learn to accept it well.

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