10/08/2026
Absolutely! If you have a smaller dog that could be eaten in one bite by an approaching bigger dog, that is doing anything but perfectly walking in heel position at the handler's side, then pick them up!!
All I ask is that you practice this outside of those circumstances and reward the action profusely. In fact, you could even go one step further and teach your dog a jump-into-my arms cue and use it on everyday walks as well as when you see a bigger, out of control dog. 🥰
Unpopular opinion… I WILL pick my small dogs up. 👀
Small dog owners get a surprising amount of criticism for picking their dogs up when a large dog approaches, when passing through a busy crowd or when they simply don’t feel comfortable with a situation.
“You’re making them nervous.”
“Let them be a dog.”
“My dog is friendly!”
But sometimes picking up a small dog isn’t babying them.
It’s advocating for them.
My Chihuahuas are tiny, fragile animals living in a world designed for creatures significantly bigger than them.
Being accidentally stepped on, kicked, knocked over or run into can cause serious injury. A nip or bite that a larger dog might walk away from could be catastrophic for a dog of their size.
And think about the world from their perspective.
They’re only a few inches off the ground. A 50–60kg dog approaching them is ENORMOUS. They don’t need to greet that dog just because the other owner says they’re friendly.
And I’m sorry, but “my dog is friendly” isn’t enough for me to gamble my dog’s safety on.
You know your dog. I don’t.
Small dogs can move quickly, squeak, dart and behave in ways that can trigger chase or predatory behaviour in some dogs, including dogs that are otherwise sociable.
That doesn’t make the larger dog “bad”. It means dogs are animals, behaviour is contextual, and I’m responsible for managing the risk to mine.
Of course, I want my small dogs confident. I train them, expose them to the world and allow them to experience things for themselves.
But confidence doesn’t mean they need to deal with every situation from the floor.
Sometimes the most appropriate decision is simply:
“You’re safer up here with me.”
Picking up a small dog isn’t automatically creating fear, reinforcing anxiety or being a “typical small dog owner”.
Sometimes it’s just good dog ownership.
And yes… I WILL pick mine up. 😂🐾
