The safest way to pick up a puppy or kitten, Downing says, is the one most comfortable for them. “Slip one hand between the front legs from the front of the body, and slip the other hand between the rear legs from behind,” she recommends. “Then lift them as a unit with their spine relatively straight.”
Don't pick up a dog by the scruff of the neck. Don't pick them up by the front legs (or “underarms”) like a baby—it can strain their ligaments.
First, don't ever lift your dog by his front legs or right under his armpits, like he's a doll. This puts far too much weight on the elbow and shoulders and could injure him. Also, don't lift your dog by the scruff of his neck. Watch for signs that your dog is uncomfortable with how he's being carried.
Although doggie moms carry their pups by the scruff, it is not recommended to carry dogs in this way. Since we humans don't have the natural instincts on how to correctly carry dogs by their scruff, we can end up easily causing pain or damage.
This is often described as “flipping a switch”. The pup will explode in a sudden display that often consists of a snarl, a bite, and snarling with lip curling and a deep growl. This is clearly a red flag and needs to be considered seriously as a disqualifying characteristic for taking a puppy home.
On the first night, and for about three weeks, have the puppy sleep in a dog crate next to the bed. Line the base with blankets so that it is cosy and drape another blanket over the top to help it feel more secure. Give the puppy the stuffed toy that has its littermates' scent on it to snuggle up to.
The safest way to pick up a puppy or kitten, Downing says, is the one most comfortable for them. “Slip one hand between the front legs from the front of the body, and slip the other hand between the rear legs from behind,” she recommends. “Then lift them as a unit with their spine relatively straight.”
Even at 8 weeks old, when you bring your puppy home, she will already be too large to be carried by the scruff of her neck.
Children who don't know better tend to lift by the front legs, whereas adults are more apt to put their hands under the armpits and lift as they would a child. Picking up a dog in this manner strains the muscles in the front legs and spine, which can result in torn ligaments and even a dislocated shoulder or elbow.
Although dog moms carry their pups by the scruff, it is not recommended to carry dogs in this way. Since we humans don't have the natural instincts on how to correctly carry dogs by their scruff, we can end up easily causing pain or damage.
One way to stop a puppy from biting is to say “no” while holding his mouth/muzzle closed for a second, followed by ignoring the puppy. Holding the puppy's mouth helps to get the point across – “don't bite” – for some puppies.
One experienced dog trainer and expert on dog development suggested that the optimum age for a puppy to go to its new owner is about 8-to-9-weeks, when the pup is ready to develop a strong bond.
In general, however, the best age to adopt a puppy is eight to ten weeks. This will give your puppy plenty of time to work through the developmental stages that take place while the puppy is still with its mother.
Since puppies have bodies that aren't as strong as adult dogs, they can unintentionally overexert or injure themselves. Muscle strains are one fairly common injury among young pets. Puppies' muscles aren't fully formed yet and can be easily hurt.
It can cause increased stress on the lumbar spine. If we need to carry our dogs, it's much better to create a foundation with our arms, supporting the back and legs so that they're in a natural sitting or lying down position.
This can strain the muscles that support the front limbs and spine, tear ligaments, and potentially even dislocate a shoulder or elbow. In the worst-case scenarios, it can damage the bones and cartilage, particularly if the pet struggles and is dropped.
If you catch your puppy misbehaving, try a loud noise such as clapping your hands or a loud "uh-uh" or a sharp “off”. Remember, reprimands need to occur while the behavior is happening, preferably just as it begins, and never after.
If your dog has started whimpering or yelping when picked up, your dog may be in pain or experiencing mental anguish. If you suspect that your dog is in pain or suffering from a serious illness, keep an eye on their other behavior. They may have started limping or refusing to eat.
Ignoring them at night won't help them build confidence and may make them worse which isn't what anyone wants. They need to be taught how to be independent slowly. We would never recommend ignoring your puppy when they cry at night, especially in their first few nights.
However, there's no getting away from the fact that the early weeks with a new puppy are hard and they will most likely leave you feeling stressed, exhausted and questioning your sanity.
Dog experts recommend not letting your puppy cry at night. It's likely to make their anxiety worse and could lead to behavior problems. Not only will you hear it, but your neighbors will hear crying, too. Even if you live in a soundproof home or have a mansion, the noise will be audible even if they're alone.