Many years ago, I started writing a book called Little Dog Syndrome. I sent it to a publisher who, to my surprise, was interested but life got in the way. I’ve recently revisited it, with the intention of continuing to work on it after finishing my Rethinking Lead Walking course for professionals. (Note to self: I have a tendency to start lots of projects and not finish them… something I’m consciously working on this year.)
I’m actually really glad I left this until now, because my thoughts and opinions have changed. The title was never my philosophy; it was more of a hook, reflecting how small dogs are so often described. Even back then, I was writing from a mindful place, considering how differently smaller dogs are raised, handled, and managed.
One of the areas I wrote about was picking dogs up and carrying them and this is where my thinking has evolved the most.
Picking Up Small Dogs: Why I Used to Avoid It
For a long time, I believed picking up and carrying small dogs should be avoided wherever possible, other than for essential husbandry, grooming, veterinary visits through cooperative care, or safety for example, if a dog hasn’t been trained around doors and you can’t shut them into another room.
I felt that frequent carrying often reduced confidence rather than building it.
In some situations, I still think that can be true particularly when dogs are picked up suddenly, randomly, without warning, or without any choice.
Dogs don’t lift one another. Being removed from the ground can feel startling, disorientating or frightening, especially if it happens repeatedly and unpredictably. Over time, that can create handling sensitivities, anxiety, or defensive behaviour.
How Meeting Mila the Chihuahua Changed My Perspective
My thinking began to shift initially with some uncertainty, and then changed much more after meeting my good friend’s Chihuahua, Mila, when she was just a puppy.
In 30 years, I had never worked with a Chihuahua puppy. I rarely saw them in puppy classes they’re not generally brought and I mostly met them later as behaviour cases involving handling issues, barking, growling, snapping and biting.
Meeting Mila was a real eye-opener.
There is a lot of discussion around picking dogs up when they are scared. I see many caregivers doing this and I also see many small dogs actively asking to be picked up or carried. For some individuals, being lifted genuinely functions as a place of safety. Sometimes the world is a pretty overwhelming place when you’re looking at it from ground level.
Why busy environments are different for tiny dogs
Mila is now an adult, fully grown, and still incredibly tiny. Her legs are as thin as my little finger. She walks alongside her caregiver, but in busy environments she can easily be missed, accidentally stepped on, or rolled over by wheels prams, scooters, bikes, trolleys.
Don’t get me wrong she is swift, nimble and can move when she needs too, she lives with three children but there is still a much higher level of physical risk for dogs her size moving through busy human spaces.
She is confident and pretty resilient, though still alert and cautious, particularly of feet and sometimes hands. I can completely understand why, in busy environments, picking her up or carrying her can be necessary and protective. I do it myself. If a large, exuberant dog barrelled into Mila, she could be significantly hurt.
That context matters.
That said, I do think there are times when we pick small dogs up too quickly before anything has actually happened potentially creating worry before the dog is truly concerned.
At the same time, I can absolutely see why caregivers do it… because they care.
This balance between protecting and over-protecting is one of the hardest things to get right.
A theme echoed by many professionals in discussion was that carrying should not quietly become the default coping strategy. The long-term aim for most dogs is still to feel safe in their own bodies on the ground, with their caregiver as a secure base they can move towards not something they are always lifted away from.
Facial bites, hugging and why choice is critical
One common issue I see is dogs being picked up randomly to be hugged and kissed often one of the main causes of facial bites.
This can start to make dogs feel uncomfortable, this is not normal dog behaviour and actually can be mistaken for a challenge when you think of how dogs lean over one another’s necks sometimes before a fight.
Allowing people to approach and stroke a dog when they are in your arms is, in my view, a no-no. The dog has no choice, signals are often misread, and that lack of agency is frequently why dogs bite: they’re unable to move away, it’s intimidating, and hands can be really annoying.
Small dogs are also more likely to be scooped up by strangers adults and children alike often without warning. Repeated experiences like this understandably teach dogs that approaching humans are unpredictable and threatening, and they may escalate their behaviour to protect themselves.
Teaching predictable, consent-based lifting to dogs
I strongly believe there should be clear cues around picking up and carrying, so the dog has predictability and awareness that it may happen if absolutely needed ideally offered as a question:
“Do you want to be picked up?”
With a cue such as “Up” taught beforehand.
I also like encouraging dogs to move onto a lap or low surface first, where possible, before lifting. This gives them more choice and control.
When lifting, it’s important to support both the chest and hindquarters and keep them close to your body, so they feel secure rather than dangling or unstable.
Some caregivers teach two cues one optional (“do you want up?”) and one non-negotiable for safety (“I have to lift you now”) both predictable, calm and consistent. This clarity can be hugely reassuring, especially for dogs with pain histories or handling sensitivities.
Checking in while carrying and offering dogs the chance to walk again when they’re ready is part of that same consent-led picture.
Puppies, body language, and learning to enjoy handling
Many puppies are lifted frequently by adults, which can unintentionally signal to children that this is always appropriate too. For some puppies, being picked up or handled before they feel comfortable can quickly become overwhelming. When a puppy hasn’t yet learned that human touch is safe or enjoyable, frustration can build and may show up as mouthing or nipping as a way to communicate discomfort.
Dogs don’t naturally pick each other up or stroke one another, so close physical handling is something they need to learn to feel relaxed about. While there are times when lifting a puppy is necessary, it’s important that these experiences are introduced gradually and thoughtfully. I encourage families to slow things down, observe the puppy’s body language first, and let the puppy guide the interaction wherever possible.
Learning to recognise a clear “yes please” such as approaching, soft muscles, and relaxed movement versus a “no thank you” like leaning away, freezing, or turning the head should always come before touching or lifting. Adding simple cues like “up” early on also helps puppies understand what’s coming next, giving them a sense of predictability and control.
Handled in this way, puppies can build positive associations with being touched, making everyday care safer and more comfortable for everyone involved.
Supporting sensitive small dogs without flooding them
I work with many clients who have sensitive small dogs, many of whom did not want to go for walks, with multiple factors influencing this.
In some cases particularly with rescue dogs with little known history, or very sensitive vaccinated puppies or adolescents I may recommend reintroducing them to the world from their arms, much like we would with an unvaccinated puppy. This is only if the dog finds being carried comforting and it’s been taught.
Another option, of course, is a carrier for smaller dogs introduced as a safe place in a positive way.
Being held or carried can allow dogs to observe from a sensible distance, taking information in through their nose and other senses without being flooded. This gives them space to process what they are seeing, hearing and smelling, rather than being pushed straight into situations they’re not ready to cope with on the ground.
Evolution didn’t create these tiny dogs we did, through breeding so I think it’s our job to support them in ways that work best for them.
We can then progress crouching down when the dog shows some interest in exploring a little, with the care giver staying static so the dog can choose to come back to their human for safety, using the caregiver’s legs as protection. Still setting up for success.
Other Dogs, Jumping Up and Environmental Awareness
I’m also very mindful of where lifting happens.
From another dog’s perspective, seeing a dog in someone’s arms is unusual and can create curiosity, confusion, frustration and sometimes jumping up as they investigate.
That risk is part of the equation too.
As confidence builds, I often look to transfer that sense of safety to crouching as previously mentioned, protective positioning, and sometimes a trained middle position between the caregiver’s feet, depending on the dog ensuring however they do not feel trapped.
It’s vital that the care giver becomes the dogs safe place, which is particularly important off-lead, so a worried dogs learn to run towards their caregiver rather than hiding or bolting for home.
Long dog walks, fatigue and knowing when enough is enough
Mila goes many places with her caregiver. Her tiny legs, our long stride and her slower pace can make walking exhausting, I see many small dogs literally having to jog everywhere because of their care givers pace.
While I’m a strong advocate that walks should be about the dog or at least cooperative at both ends of the lead she also has a carrier she loves and uses as a safe place when walks are long, rushed or particularly busy.
Some small dogs are incredibly fit and cover huge distances. Others fatigue far sooner than people realise, and pain doesn’t always show itself clearly at first. Learning to read those subtle signs slowing, lagging, seeking to be picked up matters.
Sometimes carrying for a short stretch across rough ground, crowds or hazards is simply sensible management.
It depends: Individual Dogs, preferences and history
A consistent theme from discussion was that, like people, dogs have preferences.
Some actively ask to be picked up climbing into laps, leaning in, offering their side or backing into position. Others strongly dislike it and would far rather deal with the world on their own four feet.
How handling is introduced, how touch is part of daily life, pain or physical discomfort, past experiences, and temperament all shape those preferences.
Some dogs learn that being lifted makes them feel safe. Others learn that it feels intrusive or frightening.
Our job is to listen.
So… Should Little Dogs Be Picked Up?
Since meeting Mila, I’ve looked at small dog management in a completely different light.
For me, it isn’t about rigid rules.
It’s about:
- Safety
- Predictability
- Consent where possible
- Thoughtful handling
- Supporting confidence
- And building resilience over time
Picking up and carrying can be a valid and useful place of safety for some dogs when used deliberately, compassionately, and alongside skill-building on the ground.
Individual dogs, histories, environments and caregiver skills all matter enormously.
If you would like to chat with me or get support with your dog or puppy book in a call with me below.
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