How do you physically pick up your puppy?

[Nikki & Charlie]

I'm curious because I lift Charlie up under the armpits, the way I would pick up a chid...but sometimes when I do this he cries! Is that a tender spot for them?

[Debbie & Gibbs]

When Gibbs was a small puppy my hand would be on his chest cradling him. Now I have to scoop him up in my arms because he has gotten so big. I have 3 other dogs that are small and my hand is on their chest, they would yelp if you picked them up like a child. Hope this helps!

[Nikki & Charlie]

Thank you!!

[Gail and Bailey]

As you stand by his side,  put your one hand under his butt and the other hand under his arms/chest and gently lift him to your chest.  He will be more comfortable and feel more secure.

[Nikki & Charlie]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[Tracey & Spike]

I taught Spike from day one to put his front paws on my shoulder. From there I literally scoop him up. Hand under his butt and the other on his back. He's totally safe and secure and it's really easy on me. Especially now that he's creeping towards 30 lbs! Spike actually enjoys it too. Good view I guess. He doesn't struggle with this at all. He's started trying to jump on me to be carried. What a wimp! Our vet actually thinks this method is hilarious and genius all at the same time. It furthers his notion that doodles are oversized living teddy bears :)

Our alternative is my arm behind his front paws and my other arm under his butt and then I scoop and cradle him. Again he feels safe. Although it's not as comfortable as our go to method.

[Nikki & Charlie]

I like the first method a lot! Charlie loves to be held like a child with his legs around my waistband arms around my neck so that would perfectly for us! I find the other way too hard, maybe I'm just weak but he's 20lbs and will continue to reach around 50-60 so I wouldn't be able to do that for much longer lol thank you!

[Debbie & Gibbs]

I like that, and that is hilarious.

[Deb's Yarrow and Schatzi]

This made me cringe. You can probably go to YouTube for a demonstration on how to correctly pick up a dog.

[Nikki & Charlie]

This made you cringe? Why, because I'm simply asking why he SOMETIMES cries when he's picked up that way? It's not the first time I've picked up a dog that way and there's been no issue. I'm not picking him by the neck. No need to be rude about it.

[launa m]

Kooper likes to be picked up like that as well, his paws an my shoulders and my hand under his butt.  It looks funny but he enjoys it.  When we first got him, he didn't like to be picked up at all, soon he got used to it and now he likes it. He seems too long to hold him under his belly.

[Kristen and Chewbacca (Chewy)]

I pick mine up both ways, depending on what position he's in on the floor. Mostly the arms under the belly/butt way. BTW, it's probably best to keep comments positive, and ignore comments that may bother you, instead of making a big deal out of them. This is supposed to be a happy or helpful forum. :-)

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I would think it would be uncomfortable in that you putting all his body weight on his legs and armpits.  I would follow the suggestion by Gail & Bailey as it seems to be the most comforting and secure for them.  Can you imagine if someone picked you up by your armpits! Ouch! LOL