Could you lift your dog in an emergency?

[Jax's Mom]

My boxer was 65lbs when she died. The day before she died I was carrying her around like a baby (had no idea she was going to die the next day I used to do it all the time for fun).
Carrying dead weight is entirely different than a live dog.
We ended up having to bundle her in a sheet and carry her that way because both of us couldn't get a hold of her without holding her by the ankles or something like a slab of meat
One day if I get into a morbid enough mood, I'm going to make a stretcher out of broomsticks and canvas in case one of the dogs get injured, so we don't have to do that again.

[kiya]

When Cheyenne died, he was over 100lbs. It was snowing, I was home alone and I let him out to get some fresh air because he was acting strange, he went under the deck thats when I realized something was really wrong. I had to get him out of there so I got a blanket, crawled under the deck, 30" high or so, manipulated him onto the blanket and dragged him out & to my truck. You would be suprised the strength you have when you need it.

[Marissa]

Working in the clinic I have had to lift 90+ pound dogs when they come in critical. Adrenaline definetly helps. I have been thinking about this a lot lately because the weather has been hot and we have been seeing a lot of heat strokes lately. Obviously I know enough not to take my dog out when it's too warm/humid and not to push him too far but things happen... When Im out running with my son and my shepherd I wonder how I would handle the situation if he went down and my sons in a stroller...but this is why I always have my cell phone with me.

[Samba]

I know of people who can not lift their dog if it is down. They would have to call for help.

I don't know what kind of lift device might work?

[Stosh]

I can now but probably won't be able to lift Stosh much longer, so I'm glad you asked the question. I'll be more prepared now.

[arycrest]

I have a bad back!

Can I carry any of the Hooligans? NO!
Can I lift any of the Hooligans (as in getting them up in the van)? YES!

Have I even needed help lifting one of them? YES! 1. When Niki collapsed in the yard, one of my neighbor's had to help me lift him in the van. 2. When Ringer got stuck in a hole under the steps, my neighbor helped me flip the steps up, and while I pushed he pulled to get him out of the hole - then we both lifted him in the van. Again, when he went down the day I had him put down my neighbor helped me get him in the van.

[Lauri & The Gang]

Yes, I can carry any of my guys without a problem. I've had to lift other dogs as well. We had a Greyhound rip it nails off lure coursing at our place and I bandaged it's feet and carried it to the owners car (now I check dogs nails BEFORE I let them run - the Grey's nails were waaay too long). I've also had to pick up a Rotties and put it in the kiddie pool we have to cool it down when the owner said they couldn't do it.

One thing to remember when lifting an injured or unknown dog - make sure to turn YOUR face away from the dogs face when you lift! If the dog is injured they may snap and you don't want your face right in theirs.

[bratt]

It's great that someone posted this question, because i was just thinking about this. A friend of mine was out with his lab training for search and rescue and yukon was bit by a rattlesnake. He was by himself and had to carry the dog back to the car. This made me think about what i would have done, and i couldn't come up with anything. I don't think i could carry a full size GSD. Not sure what to do in that kind of a situation. A lot of the places i go running there is no cell service. Any suggestions if ever caught in this kind of a situation.

[squerly]

Sure, no problem. Got to catch him first.

[BlackPuppy]

I have a difficult time lifting my Laekenois. He's about 70 pounds. But you bet! In an emergency nothing is going to stop me from lifting him.

Carry him for a mile. No, can't do that. That's why I'm very careful where we go off-leash.