How to Get Your Dog to Let You Pick Him Up

When sharing your home with smaller dogs, you’ll eventually need to pick them up. Some dogs stand still while you’re walking toward them or wrapping your arm around their chest. Some dogs scamper way, stand still until you try again and take off again. Yes, let’s focus on the scamperers.

Stand Still for Pickup

You’ll need super yummy treats that’ll stop your dog in his tracks. I’m talking hot dogs or pieces of fresh deli meat. You need to make it worth your dog’s while, especially if he’s a professional scamperer.

• Grab yummy treats, leash your dog to prevent him from moving too far way and take a seat in your chair indoors (this keeps distractions low).
• More than likely, your dog will hang around you because of the treats. Have patience. Your dog will likely become distracted by something and walk away from you.
• Once this happens, stand up and walk at your normal pace toward your dog while holding out a treat.
• Your dog will likely walk right back to you or stand still. Bingo!
• As you wrap your arm around him, click or say “yes,” and give him a treat. Remember, we’re teaching, “stand still while I pick you up.”
• Place your dog back on the ground and practice four to five more times, and then end the training session.

Make Pickups Fun

Most dogs run away when being picked up because they’ve learned that pickups mean bath time, vet visits and the end of fun games. Instead, pick up (reward for good behavior) your dog for a few seconds and place him back down on the ground for a game of tug or chase, or let your dog continue sniffing and exploring outdoors. Aim for more positive associations with “pick up” than negative ones. As a general guideline, I recommend 10 positive experiences to each negative one.

Now, negative associations don’t mean punishment. If your dog has been running buck wild on 40 acres and finally decides to stand still for picking up, you better curse in a happy pitched and positive tone because your dog stopped. If you choose to punish instead, you’ve just ruined your dog’s polite pickup manners and it’ll take a long time to earn your dog’s trust again.

Better yet, instead of chasing your dog, check out tips on teaching your dog to come back to you. 🙂

Practice Outside

Once your dog happily stands still while you pick him up indoors, it’s time to practice outdoors–on leash, of course. If your dog is hesitant to allow you to pick him up, try squatting next to him instead of looming over him.

If your dog still ignores you, I recommend using better treats. If you’re holding a decadent cupcake, you better believe I’ll walk through traffic to get to you. 🙂

Treats Are Not Forever

Treats paired with a clicker help teach your dog new behaviors. Once your dog happily allows you to pick him up nine out of 10 times, it’s time to wean your dog from treats. Do know if your dog goes back to his scampering ways, it’s time to bring the goodies back out and practice some more.

VIDEO: My Dog Won’t Allow Me To Pick Him Up

https://youtu.be/iFeoU9NzIgM