Superb Dog EditorNo one wants to hear a dog in pain. And it can be startling if your dog yelps when you pick them up.
You may wonder — Did you pick them up incorrectly? Is the dog injured or does it have another medical issue? How can you avoid the yelping when you pick the dog up?
We look at the many reasons why your dog may be yelping when picked up, and how to address them.
So if you find yourself asking, “Why does my dog yelp when picked up under their chest?”, read on as there is likely a logical explanation for this behavior.
Why Does My Dog Yelp When Picked Up Under Their Chest?
There are many answers to this question. Some are medical, some are more psychological, and others are as rudimentary as your dog is uncomfortable.
The Way You Pick Them Up Is the Wrong
One of the most common reasons behind a dog that yelps when picked up by the chest is that you pick them up incorrectly.
It’s important to remember that picking a dog up in the first place can be startling.
When your dog yelps when picked up under their stomach, they might be trying to tell you: Hey, that makes me uncomfortable! This is especially true for dogs like Dachshunds or Basset Hounds, who have elongated backs.
The vertebrae are delicate, and combined with their short stature makes these dogs prone to IVDD, which can cause a slipped disk in your dog’s spine. This can be very painful for your poor pup! Common causes of IVDD in dogs are jumping and descending stairs.
But one of the most common and little-publicized is incorrectly supporting your dog’s spine when you pick them up by the chest. No wonder they yelp.
You Picked Them Up in an Uncomfortable Way
Another reason your dog yelps when picked up under their chest is that it’s uncomfortable for them!
The reasons for discomfort vary from dog to dog. Some dogs are uneasy if their hind legs aren’t supported, while some might not like being picked up at all. Another dog could have no problem being handled but isn’t sure what to do once they find themselves several feet higher than normal.
They Are Startled When Picked Up
Another answer to ‘Why does my dog yelp when I pick them up by the chest,’ is that they’re startled. This is the canine equivalent of being surprised when someone enters a room without warning.
Even if the incoming person is someone you know, you still express surprise. Dogs, especially small dogs, are no different. They don’t expect to see much above ankle level, so when you pick them up, they yelp.
Your Dog is Scared or Frightened
Another reason a dog yelps when picked up under the stomach is that they aren’t used to being handled.
Handling is a crucial part of puppy socialization. That’s as much because young puppies can’t navigate stairs as it is because puppies need to learn to interact with people.
Correctly handling and socialization reduce fear and aggression in puppies. Reputable breeders often advertise their puppies as being socialized with everything from cats to children, and with good reason. An often-handled puppy doesn’t react in fear when picked up.
They can act that way because they are used to the handling process. That’s not the case for all dogs.
Was There a Traumatic Event?
Dogs with traumatic or antisocial backgrounds may not know how to interpret your impulse to pick them up and react by yelping.
Dogs have long memories when it comes to trauma and can experience flashbacks just like humans. When something triggers that flashback, they react defensively. Yelping is a common response, as is:
- Snarling
- Cowering
- Rolling over
Typically, we think of a dog that bares their stomach as a contented dog. They feel safe enough to expose vulnerable organs in front of you. But it’s also a classic sign of canine submission, and a traumatized dog may roll over to demonstrate their acceptance of your authority.
Causes of trauma vary between dogs. Many dogs exposed to unsafe environments and conditions, like fighting dogs and police dogs, can develop trauma. Some causes of trauma in dogs are:
- Being chased by humans/animals
- Animal attack
- Being kicked in the ribs
Bruised or Injured Ribs
Speaking of rib traumas, these are another leading cause for dogs to yelp when picked up chest-first.
While dogs are more vulnerable than, for instance, cats, they still work hard to mask how much pain they exhibit.
This is a holdover from the days when their ancestors were hunted as much as they were hunters, and masking weakness was a survival mechanism.
The first you know about a cracked or bruised rib may be when your dog yelps when you go to pick them up. And because of the ribs’ proximity to your dog’s lungs, it’s important to keep on top of potential injuries because it’s far too easy for a broken rib to puncture a lung.
Luckily, most causes of rib trauma are memorable. They typically stem from events like:
- Traffic accident
- Animal attack
- Severe fall
These are hard things to miss. The exception is if they transpire in your absence, as when a dog walker is supervising your dog. If you suspect your dog’s ribs are behind their yelping, it’s time to call the vet.
Skin Infections or Wounds
It’s also possible that your dog developed a skin infection or wound that picking them up aggravated. If that’s the case, they may yelp to register momentary discomfort.
Ideally, a visual exam can confirm any wounds on your dog. However, this can be difficult on a dog with multiple coats. That’s especially true if you fall behind on grooming and your dog’s coat is matted.
One of the many evils of canine coat mats is that if they tighten they can lead to lesions and secondary skin infections. These may be responsible for your dog yelping when picked up.
Joint Pain
Joint pain is yet another common cause of yelping if you pick your dog up by the stomach or chest.
Older dogs may experience joint pain if they develop arthritis. But younger dogs may also experience it if they sprain, tear or pull a joint out of its socket.
A good way of assessing joint pain is by setting your dog down and monitoring their movements. Watch to see if they:
- Limp
- Move stiffly/reluctantly
- Avoid jumping
Abdominal Pain or Cramps
If your dog yelps when picked up by the stomach, it’s possible they are experiencing abdominal discomfort.
This could be a sign of abdominal cramping or indicate something more severe, like bloat.
If you suspect your dog suffers from abdominal pain, start by gently palpating the stomach and lower abdomen. A dog in pain will yelp again by reflex. It won’t give you a specific diagnosis, but it does tell you where the problem lies. It also reassures you that your call to the vet is justified.
Neck or Spine Injury
It’s also possible that your dog yelps when picked up by the chest because they’ve sustained a neck or spine injury. Symptoms of neck or spinal injuries can include:
- Head lowered when standing
- Dog won’t turn head
- Atypical gait
- Won’t eat or drink from bowls unless elevated
- Muscle spasms
- Reluctance to jump
The severity of neck or spinal injury can be variable, and for that reason, vets base their diagnosis on different stages of discomfort. If you notice any of these symptoms, it’s important to call your vet. A video of symptoms your dog may not exhibit in front of the vet can also help speed up the diagnosis.
Excitement
One of the least dramatic answers to ‘Why does my dog bark when I pick them up by the chest?’ is that they are excited.
Yelping is how dogs show that excitement. Accidental urination is another. They may even leap in anticipation of being picked up.
Typically, an excitable dog won’t exhibit the same stiffness or unsteadiness as a dog nursing an injury. The yelp they emit is also pitched differently to a genuinely distressed dog.
How to Pick Up A Dog Correctly
Now that you know your dog yelps when picked up under their chest or stomach, you might be wondering how you can pick up your pup correctly!
The answer is not to lift them under the stomach. The best way to pick a dog up is with one hand on their rump and another on their chest in front of their legs.
The most common mistake is to reach around their midsection, between their two sets of legs, and lift. This places too much pressure on their stomachs and can cause discomfort or even pain.
As you lift the dog, slide the hand at their hindquarters under them more fully, and wrap your other arm up and around their back. The result creates a cradle that makes your dog feel secure.
How Do You Pick Up A Dog That Is In Pain?
Once you know how to hold a dog, there isn’t much difference between correctly handling them and picking them up when in pain.
The difference is that you want to avoid touching the injured area. For that reason, it helps to lean forward and cradle the dog to your chest as you lift. It takes some of the weight off your arms and allows you to put less pressure on potentially sensitive areas like ribs or stiff joints.
Dog Yelps When Picked Up After Shots
Finally, some dogs yelp when picked up after a vaccine or shots. This is normal. Many dogs have sensitive spots after injections, and the effects should wear off after 24-48 hours.
If it lasts longer, it’s time to call your vet. It’s also possible that shot sensitivity is recurrent, so remember to ask your vet for painkillers to manage the symptoms before your dog gets their next jab.
Final Thoughts
When dogs yelp in pain, they are expressing genuine feelings. They don’t exaggerate like humans sometimes do. So when your dog yelps, it is imperative that you discover the cause and address it. Your dog’s wellbeing is your responsibility.
