How to Help an Old Dog Get Up — Safe Lifting Tips

It happens every morning. Your senior dog wakes up, shifts their weight, and then pauses. You can see them gathering themselves, preparing for the effort. Sometimes they make it up on the first try. Other times, their back legs slide out, and they settle back down before trying again. And some mornings, they look up at you with an expression that clearly says: I need help.

Struggling to stand up is one of the most common and earliest mobility changes in aging dogs. It is also one of the most addressable. With the right combination of technique, environment, and products, you can make this daily challenge significantly easier for both of you.

Why Standing Up Becomes Difficult

The act of rising from a lying position is one of the most demanding activities a dog performs. It requires explosive power from the hind legs, stability in the hips and spine, and enough flexibility to shift from horizontal to vertical. Understanding what makes it hard helps you target solutions effectively.

Joint Stiffness

Arthritic joints are stiffest after periods of rest. This is why standing up after a nap or a night of sleep is often the hardest moment of the day. The joints have not been moving, synovial fluid has settled, and the first movements are the most uncomfortable. This stiffness usually improves within a few minutes of gentle movement.

Muscle Loss

The muscles in the hind legs are the primary drivers of the standing motion. As dogs age and become less active, these muscles atrophy. The weaker the muscles, the harder it is to generate enough force to push up from the ground. This creates a cycle: difficulty standing leads to less activity, which leads to more muscle loss, which makes standing even harder.

Pain Avoidance

Dogs who have experienced pain while standing up learn to dread the motion. They may hesitate, try different positions, or wait for help rather than endure the pain. This avoidance behavior is a sign that pain management should be discussed with your veterinarian.

Slippery Surfaces

Even a dog with adequate strength and joint function will struggle to stand up on a slippery floor. The paws need traction to push against, and without it, the legs slide uselessly. This is one of the easiest problems to fix and should be addressed first.

The Right Way to Physically Help Your Dog Stand

When your dog needs hands-on help, proper technique protects both of you. Lifting incorrectly can hurt your dog and strain your own back.

The Belly Support Method

This is the most basic technique. Kneel or stand beside your dog. Place one hand or arm under their belly, just in front of the hind legs. As your dog begins to push up with their front legs, gently lift the hind end with your supporting arm. Let them do as much of the work as they can while you provide just enough lift to get them over the hump.

The Harness Method

A rear support harness makes this process much easier and more repeatable. The harness stays in position on your dog's body, and the handle gives you a secure, comfortable grip for lifting. This is far better than grabbing fur, skin, or an improvised towel sling, which can cause discomfort and is hard to position correctly every time.

The Towel Sling (Temporary Solution)

If you do not have a harness yet, a rolled bath towel placed under the belly can serve as an improvised sling. Hold the ends of the towel and lift gently as your dog stands. This is less comfortable and less stable than a proper harness, but it works in a pinch. Consider it a bridge solution while you order a proper harness.

What Not to Do

• Do not pull on the front legs. This can injure the shoulders and does not help with the hind-end weakness that is the actual problem.
• Do not grab the tail. This causes pain and can injure the tail or spine.
• Do not grab handfuls of skin or fur. This hurts and can cause bruising, especially in senior dogs with thin skin.
• Do not lift suddenly or forcefully. A gentle, steady lift is safer and more comfortable for your dog.

Optimizing the Bed and Sleeping Area

Choose the Right Bed

The bed your dog sleeps on has a direct impact on how easy it is for them to stand up. The ideal bed for a dog with standing difficulty is firm enough to push off from, low enough to the ground that the height differential is minimal, and supportive enough to keep joints comfortable during rest.

Memory foam beds are excellent because they provide joint-relieving support during sleep but are firm enough to push against when standing. Avoid pillow-style beds or overly plush beds that the dog sinks deeply into, as the soft, unstable surface makes rising much harder.

Floor Surface Around the Bed

The first steps after standing are the most critical. If your dog's bed sits on a slippery hardwood or tile floor, they may stand up successfully only to have their legs slide out immediately. Place a large non-slip rug or mat around the bed that extends several feet in all directions. This gives your dog stable footing for those crucial first steps.

Exercises to Improve Standing Ability

While helping your dog in the moment is important, building the strength to stand more independently is the longer-term goal. Several gentle exercises can help, though you should consult with your veterinarian or a canine rehabilitation therapist before starting a new exercise routine.

Sit-to-Stand Repetitions

Have your dog sit, then encourage them to stand using a treat held at nose level. Repeat three to five times, then rest. This exercise specifically targets the muscles used for standing. Use a non-slip surface and provide support with a harness if needed.

Slow Walking on Varied Surfaces

Walking on grass, carpet, and gentle inclines engages different muscles and builds overall hind leg strength. Keep walks short and at your dog's natural pace. Even a five-minute walk builds more strength than resting all day.

Weight Shifting

While your dog is standing, gently press on their hip from one side, encouraging them to shift weight to the opposite leg. This builds the stabilizer muscles and improves balance. Use very gentle pressure and stop immediately if your dog resists or seems uncomfortable.

Elevated Front End

Having your dog place their front paws on a low step or cushion while the back paws stay on the ground shifts more weight to the hind legs, gently building strength. Hold this position for 10 to 30 seconds, a few times per session. This is essentially a modified plank exercise for dogs.

Creating a Standing-Friendly Routine

Small adjustments to your daily routine can make the standing transition easier:

• Warm up the joints before standing. Gentle massage of the hips and hind legs for a minute or two before your dog tries to stand helps loosen stiff joints. A warm towel on the hips can also help.
• Keep a consistent schedule. If your dog gets up at roughly the same times each day, their body adjusts to the rhythm and the transition is often smoother.
• Break up long rest periods. Encourage your dog to reposition every hour or two during the day. This prevents the extreme stiffness that comes from lying in one position for hours.
• Place food and water nearby. Motivation is a powerful force. If your dog knows breakfast is waiting just a few steps away, they often find the extra effort to stand.

When to Talk to Your Veterinarian

Difficulty getting up is worth mentioning at your dog's next veterinary check-up. Your veterinarian can assess whether pain management, physical rehabilitation, or other interventions might help. If the difficulty has worsened suddenly or is accompanied by other symptoms like loss of appetite, vocalization, or incontinence, schedule a visit sooner rather than later.

Remember that helping your dog get up is not about doing everything for them. It is about providing just enough support that they can do the rest themselves. This balance preserves their muscle strength, maintains their independence, and keeps them active longer. And that extra minute each morning, kneeling beside your dog with a hand under their belly, might just be one of the most meaningful minutes of your day.