You reach down to lift your dog into the car. They retreat under the chair. Because they are small enough to carry, it is easy to assume being picked up is harmless. From their viewpoint, their feet leave the ground and they cannot move away. If lifting has been sudden, uncomfortable or painful, that reaction makes sense.
Dogs Trust offers a gradual lifting lesson with rewards, body support and a consistent cue. It also cautions that injured, unwell or post-surgical dogs may need a different method or should not be lifted without veterinary advice. Begin by asking why lifting is needed and whether a safer alternative, such as a ramp or a floor-level exam, would work.
Practise without the dog first
Rehearse where your hands and feet will go. A non-slip floor gives both of you better balance. Crouch by bending your knees rather than folding over at the waist. Plan to hold the dog close to your body, supporting the chest and hindquarters rather than dangling them under the front legs. If the dog is too heavy or awkward for you to lift safely, ask for help. Neither of you benefits from a strained back or a dropped dog.
When the dog is relaxed, crouch beside them and offer a small reward. Touch the chest briefly, reward and stop. Later, slide a supporting arm into place without lifting. Practise until they are comfortable with each part. If they move away, let them, return to an easier step next time. You are teaching that your approach predicts something understandable, not grabbing them when they least expect it.
Add a cue and a tiny lift
Choose a short phrase such as "ready, up" and say it before the movement. Once your dog accepts the supported hold, lift them just off the floor for a moment, then lower them gently and reward. Repeat across several short sessions. Gradually build to standing while holding them close, then taking a step or two. Keep your body stable and watch the dog's comfort. The cue gives them a chance to know what is coming, it is not a command that overrides pain.
For a vet visit, ask whether the dog can be examined on the floor if a table is frightening or lifting is painful. If a table is necessary, use a secure non-slip surface and the veterinary team's guidance. Do not practise putting a dog on a high table alone if there is a risk they may jump or fall.
A sudden change needs a check
A dog who used to enjoy being carried but now yelps, stiffens, growls or avoids hands may be in pain. VCA's guidance on aging dogs notes that reluctance to be picked up can signal back or other pain. Ask your vet to assess rather than training through a new painful response. If there was a recent surgery or injury, follow the treating vet's handling instructions. Do not rely on a general lifting tutorial for a sore dog.
Common mistakes
Scooping a small dog without warning may make hands seem unpredictable. Holding only under the front legs can leave the body unsupported. Luring the dog close with food and then grabbing them can weaken trust. Lifting too high too soon adds risk. And asking a child to carry a struggling dog can be unsafe for both. Once pain is ruled out and your vet confirms lifting is safe, the dog handling and reward-timing guide can help you time rewards during gentle handling. Let your dog decline a practice lift.
Today, try the first lesson without lifting: crouch, touch the chest briefly and reward if the dog is comfortable. If the avoidance is new, call the vet first. A willing lift is built from many small moments in which the dog knows what will happen next.
Sources: Dogs Trust, "How to properly pick up your dog": https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/health-wellbeing/vet-visit/lifting-your-dog . VCA Animal Hospitals, "How to Recognize Pain in Aging Dogs": https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/behavior-changes-and-pain-in-aging-dogs.