Secure Hold

[MN GSD Fan]

How did you all go about training your dog so you could securely hold him without him going crazy? Our puppy is 8weeks old so he is small enough to hold, but he goes nuts squirming and stuff. Obviously when he is tired it is easy, but I want him to be able to be held in control as he gets older even when he isn't tired.

[Ageizm]

Don't put him down until he's calmed, then put him down right away when he's calm, rinse and repeat.

I don't know about you but my boy is gaining weight quickly, so I don't see myself holding him much longer, I don't really see the point unless I'm putting him into the car.

[Cassidy's Mom]

I worked on handling desensitization when my pups were little, cradling them in my lap several times a day, and as Ageizm mentioned, I didn't release them until they were calm. Here I am holding Halo in my lap during puppy class, while playing with her feet:



We would touch tummies and ears, feet and tails and faces while praising and giving tiny treats. At first she did NOT like it, but I persisted with numerous brief sessions of gentle restraint and handling and she learned to relax. It's much easier if you start now, while he's still small enough to pick up. I would put one arm under her chest behind her front legs while she was facing away from me, and use my other hand to scoop her tail under while lifting her smoothly back into my lap and cradling her against my body.