There’s no getting around it – carrying a large dog downstairs can be daunting. But with a little bit of preparation and some clever tricks, you can make the process a lot easier. We’ll show you how to carry your large dog down stairs in this post.
Some dogs are just too big to carry down the stairs. If you have a large dog, don’t worry – there is a way to get them down without injuring yourself or your pet. Check out these methods for carrying your large dog downstairs safely and efficiently.
Contents
A Detailed Guide on How to Carry a Large Dog Down Stairs
Method 1 : Carry a Large Dog Down Stairs by Dragging
Step 1 :
Get in position to slide your large dog down the stairs. Grip the scruff of his neck firmly, right where it meets his shoulders. Also, grip under his chest so you can hoist him up vertically if he decides not to cooperate.
Step 2 :
Get ready to drag your dog. Grunt loudly and pull your dog toward you. The idea is for you to take one action down while pulling him off the stairs with you, keeping his front paws on the same stair as his hind legs.
Step 3 :
Continue pulling your dog until all four of his paws are no longer touching the stairs. This will probably take several tries, depending upon how easy-going he is about it.
Step 4 :
Drag your dog down the stairs until he is off of them entirely. You can let him go at this point or carry him for the rest of the way if needed.
Method 2 : Carry a Large Dog Down Stairs by Cradling
Step 1 :
Get in position. Stand with your large dog facing you, just as before. Grasp his scruff tightly and then grab it under his chest. Make sure to have good support under his legs, too, so he doesn’t slip through your hands.
Step 2 :
Start by slowly dragging your dog towards you, step-by-step. Watch for any signs of discomfort or non-compliance. If everything seems okay, continue pulling him gently until you reach the bottom of the stairs.
Step 3 :
Place your arms alongside his body and clasp your hands together just in front of his stomach. Then, lift him off the ground by digging your heels into the floor.
Step 4 :
Enjoy being able to carry your dog downstairs! Of course, this method only works if he is comfortable with it. If not, revert to carrying a large dog downstairs by dragging.
Method 3 : Carry a Large Dog Down Stairs by Lifting
Step 1 :
To start, stand with your big dog in front of you and grab his scruff (the loose skin on the back of his neck). Next, put your other hand under his chest to support him, and lift him up so his legs are off the ground.
Step 2 :
Continue lifting until all four feet are off the staircase entirely and you have complete control over your dog’s body weight again. Hold your pup close to your body for extra support as well as ease of carrying.
Step 3 :
You should slightly bend your knees as you walk down the stairs with your child. You can keep your arms underneath him or rest them on his sides, depending on how well he tolerates this transport method.
Step 4 :
Continue down the stairs until he is at the bottom, and lay him gently onto a bed, couch, or anywhere that is soft and comfortable for both of you to relax in. Try to avoid putting too much pressure on his stomach area if possible.
Method 4 : Carry a Large Dog Down Stairs by Carrying Him in Your Arms
Step 1 :
Get in position. Stand facing your large dog with his backside toward you and his legs on one side of you (either left or right).
Step 2 :
Position yourself so that your inside arm is next to his stomach. Place your other hand on the scruff of his neck, keeping it close to the centerline of his body. Gently hoist him up by pulling him slightly upward with your arm against his body. Keep a grip on both ends at all times; watch out for any sign he feels uncomfortable about this method of transportation, such as squirming or whining.
Step 3 :
Drag or lift your puppy down the stairs while gripping him tightly around the waist with one arm and supporting his front paws with your other hand. Lift his legs off the stairs first by bending your knees and then move him down a step at a time as needed. When you get to the bottom, praise him for his good behavior and give him a treat.
Step 4 :
Place your dog onto a bed, couch, or anywhere that is soft and comfortable for both of you to relax in if he likes this method. Try to avoid putting too much pressure on his stomach area if possible.
Method 5 : Carry a Large Dog Down Stairs by Holding Onto the Collar and Hind Legs
Step 1 :
Get in position. Stand with your large dog facing you and his legs on either side of you (left or right). Place one arm around his collar, just behind the head, and put your other hand between his back legs.
Step 2 :
In one motion, lift your puppy by pulling him upward toward you as you simultaneously slip out from under his front paws. Use this method if he is uncomfortable being lifted off the ground due to size or weight. You can slightly bend your knees for extra support as needed.
Step 3 :
Drag or lift your puppy down the stairs while gripping him tightly around the waist with one arm and supporting his hind legs with your other hand. Lift his legs off the stairs first by bending your knees and then move him down a step at a time as needed.
Step 4 :
Place your dog onto a bed, couch, or anywhere that is soft and comfortable for both of you to relax in if he likes this method. Try to avoid putting too much pressure on his stomach area if possible.
Method 6 : Carry a Large Dog Down Stairs by Lifting Both Paws off the Ground
Step 1 :
Get in position. Stand with your large dog facing you and his legs on either side of you (left or right). Place one arm around his collar, just behind the head, and put your other hand between his back legs.
Step 2 :
In one motion, lift your puppy by pulling him upward toward you while simultaneously slipping out from under his front paws to create extra room for lifting his hind legs. Keep a firm grip on both ends at all times; watch out for any sign he feels uncomfortable about this method of transportation, such as squirming or whining.
Step 3 :
Drag or lift your pooh down the stairs while gripping him tightly around the waist with one arm and supporting hind legs with your other hand. Lift his legs off the stairs first by bending your knees and then move him down a step at a time as needed.
Step 4 :
Place your dog onto a bed, couch, or anywhere that is soft and comfortable for both of you to relax in if he likes this method. Try to avoid putting too much pressure on his stomach area if possible. These methods will help in how to carry a large dog down stairs.
Precautions
Before guiding a dog down the stairs, you should ensure your pet is comfortable around strangers. Many regions of the country prohibit people from carrying dogs in public, and if you try this in a place where it’s not permitted, you could be fined. It’s also essential to make sure that the area you are carrying your pet is safe for traffic.
To prepare your dog for being carried downstairs, first start by helping them get used to the idea of people climbing on top of them. This should be done over time so as not to spook your animal. Then, when you feel comfortable with this, move on to other ways to climb on top of them, such as ladders or chairs.
When your animal feels comfortable being carried, practice going up and down single steps while supporting its entire body weight against a wall. It should feel similar to climbing a ladder supported by a wall before effortlessly shouldering all their weight.
What Is the Best Way to Get a Dog Down the Stairs?
There are several ways to get a dog down the stairs, and choosing the correct one will depend on your dog’s size, temperament, age, health, and fitness level. How you carry your dog is also dependent on what type of breed/kind of dog they are.
It would help if you carried older or overweight dogs to avoid injury for both of you. Small dogs may be easier carried by hand depending on how long, narrow, or steep the staircase is. Larger breeds may benefit from being walked behind you as you slowly descend back down each step one at a time, giving them enough space to follow along without tripping over their feet.
Conclusion
This blog post has covered all of the essential points you need to know about how to carry a large dog down stairs. We hope you have found this information helpful and can use what we’ve shared with you to better care for your four-legged friends!
If any of these tips give you ideas or inspiration, Let us know in the comments below because our goal is always to help improve the lives of others through education so they may live happier ones too.