Why shouldn't I pick up my adult Yorkie by the scruff of its neck?

I don't recommend it unless it is the only way to break up a confrontation. Holding a dog by the scruff without lifting him can be used as a way of getting his attention if he is doing something inappropriate, but to lift a dog without supporting his body can do harm.

Dachshunds are prone to crippling/painful/expensive to treat intervertebral disc disease. IVDD affect approximately 20% of Dachshunds and is when the intervertebral discs bulge and compress on the spinal cord nerves often resulting in paralysis, crippling pain, incontinence. Surgery is often required and can easily cost $6-10K. Picking Luna up by her scruff leaves her back fully unsupported and puts her at risk for back/disc issues as she is no longer a small puppy/now weighs 15 lbs. Especially if she twists her back or struggles in the least while you are scruffing her, this injury could easily occur. A better way to pick her up is to fully support her legs and body with one arm while cradling her with the other. Starting her on VetriScience VetriFlex joint supplements now (available online), and looking into pet insurance now before she develops a ‘pre-existing condition’ also advised. Good luck!

Magnum is absolutely adorable! As puppies their moms will carry and lift them by the back of their necks and it doesn't hurt them. As an adult dog I typically do not recommend pulling them by their scruff (cats are different). He may have whimpered because he was scared or it may have hurt a little. Do not worry about it Magnum will be perfectly fine and you did nothing wrong. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

I'm worried that Ivy has hurt her neck from being scruffed. This could be something like the skin got pulled away from the underlying soft tissue or it could be related to an injury to the vertebra or discs. Unfortunately, that's hard to know since Ivy can't talk. I recommend to have Ivy examined today. Not being able to lift her head indicates a lot of pain or even nerve damage. The vet will need to conduct a physical exam to begin figuring things out. The vet likely has COVID protocols in place so call ahead and find out when they want you to arrive. You will need to follow their instructions. Until Ivy is examined by the veterinarian, she needs STRICT rest so no walks, running, jumping, plying or stairs. Crate rest is best. A warm (not hot) compress applied for 5 minutes every 2 hours may also help. be very gentle when handling her. I hope this helps.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Some dogs feel uncomfortable while being picked up, and you may want to try to be gentle while drying/brushing her. I typically recommend waiting until most dogs are fully dry before brushing. It is important to establish good behavior around people while Muffin is a puppy. You can do this by giving her treats when she is "good" or in situations where she may be somewhat uncomfortable in - for example, while you are picking her up, brushing her, etc. If Muffin starts barking, growling or nipping at a time when she shouldn't, I recommend ignoring her rather than punishing her. I would also be happy to answer any more questions you may have about training Muffin!

Chronic pain in a three year old Yorkie should definitely be investigated more closely by your primary care vet. Back issues are quite common in small breed dogs, usually related to disk disease in the spinal column. This can be verified with an x-ray. Your vet will also be able to perform a thorough orthopedic exam to try and see if the pain is arising from elsewhere. Pain and be treated with various medications, including anti-inflammatories, opioids, and muscle relaxants. Sometimes, the best thing you can do for dogs in these cases is rest them. This means no more jumping, no more running, and no more rough housing for a couple of weeks to allow for any healing that might be needed. I realize this might be frustrating for both Lou and you, but it potentially might be for the best. Let me know if I was helpful and if there is anything else I can do for you.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Lacey. I recommend that she sees her veterinarian. Small breed dogs are prone to neck and/or back pain. It can present as yelping. Her veterinarian will carefully examine her to determine if she is painful. If so, x-rays may be needed. In the meantime, keep her quiet and carry her as much as possible. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!