Puppy jumped out of cart at Target.

[Roy]

Hi everyone,

I made the mistake of keeping my eyes off of Nickie (3 months old) while she was in the cart. She jumped out of the cart and landed on all fours and her legs buckled and she hit her chin on the ground. She cried when this happened but she got up immediately. I been watching her for the past hour and she's acting perfectly normal and she runs just fine. I touched all four legs to see if there's any swelling or pain but she didn't cry.I'm a bit paranoid and I might take her in to the vet. Do you think this will cause any problems in the future? Should I bring her I regardless?

[Roy]

Thank you for the replies and concern! Nickie was acting normal this morning. It was really traumatizing to see that happen to Nickie. She's a big girl at 13 pounds but her legs buckled because it was roughly 3 feet high. I'm going to check her legs again later today when I get home from work. I appreciate everyone's input!

[Ginny Nightingale]

Puppies are pretty flexible--I have seen some incredible stunts and they just shake it off--I am sure she is fine---

[Richard Crowe]

If a dog is hurt, there will be signs such as favoring a certain leg by limping, expressing pain when the leg is moved or just not wanting to move period.

If any of these things happen, take the dog to the vet.  If there is no sign of injury, put your mind at rest.

I know that this is locking the barn door after the horse is stolen but, whenever I take my smaller dogs for a ride in a shopping cart, I always have a leash on them.  I use a leash even with my dogs who are used to, and comfortable with traveling in a shopping cart.

BTW...  That is a great way to socialize a puppy!