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Seconds Count: What to Do If Your Dog is Choking

  • Writer: jillkudera
    jillkudera
  • May 20
  • 3 min read

Updated: May 25

At Pied Piper's Dog Training, nothing makes me happier than seeing dogs live enriched, happy lives. It is why I love sharing monthly recipes for homemade dog treats and DIY chew toy ideas! However, every time I recommend a new chew or a delicious treat, a small part of me worries: Does everyone know what to do if an absolute emergency happens?


Choking is a silent, fast-moving crisis. Knowing exactly how to handle it beforehand can mean the difference between a scary story and a tragedy. To complement our DIY enrichment guides, please take five minutes to read this life-saving breakdown and watch these helpful "how-to" videos.


How Do I Safely Perform the Heimlich Maneuver on a Small Dog?


Because smaller dogs have more fragile frames, clearing their airway requires a slightly different approach than a large breed.


First, carefully open their mouth to see if you can safely sweep ( with a side to side motion ) out with your finger—but only if you can do so without pushing it further down or getting severely bitten. If it cannot be swept out, the training experts at First Aid for Life demonstrate a two-step emergency protocol:

  1. The Tilt & Shake: Hold your small dog securely by their thighs, tilting them upside down to let gravity assist in shaking the object loose.

  2. The Small Dog Heimlich: If shaking fails, position your dog against you, place a closed fist directly under their ribcage, and apply an inward and upward squeezing pressure. Repeat this up to 5 times.

Watch the exact physical posture and handling technique in this quick demonstration video:


What is the Proper Way to Handle a Choking Emergency with a Large Dog?


If a larger breed is choking, lifting or shaking them isn't an option. Instead, you need to rely on structured body thrusts.

According to the American Red Cross, the step-by-step procedure for a large dog involves a mix of sharp back blows and abdominal thrusts:

  1. Check the Airway: Carefully check the mouth and pull the tongue forward to see if the object can be finger-swept ( side to side motion ) out.

  2. Abdominal Thrusts: If the dog is standing, wrap your arms around their underbelly from behind (just below the rib cage). Make a fist, cover it with your other hand, and deliver 5 rapid inward and upward thrusts. If they are lying down, you can press downward and forward into the same spot below the ribs.

  3. Back Blows: If the object remains lodged, use the palm of your hand to deliver 5 sharp, distinct blows directly between the dog’s shoulder blades.

Review the Red Cross's complete visual library and step-by-step instructions for large canine first aid here: Read & Review: Red Cross Dog Choking Resource Guide



What Should I Do If a Ball Gets Completely Stuck in My Dog’s Throat?


One of the most terrifying choking hazards is a smooth rubber ball. When a dog chases a ball at high speeds, the ball can easily bypass the teeth and slide straight back into the throat, acting like a tight-fitting cork that completely seals the airway.

In these extreme scenarios, the standard Heimlich maneuver often fails because the ball creates a suction seal. Instead, veterinarians rely on a specialized procedure called XXT (External Extraction Technique).

In a viral piece of footage, South Carolina veterinarian Dr. Margaret Hunt saved a choking German Shepherd named Clyde using this exact maneuver. The technique requires you to:

  1. Lay the dog flat on their back on the floor.

  2. Straddle the dog's chest to keep them steady.

  3. Find the "V" of the jawbone and the trachea, place your thumbs on the outside of the neck below where the ball is lodged, and push hard in a J-shaped motion (down and out) toward the mouth.

Seeing this technique in action is worth a thousand words. Watch the incredible moment Dr. Hunt saved Clyde's life and see exactly how the J-stroke pushes a ball out from the outside: Watch: Veterinarian Saves Choking German Shepherd Using XXT

The Golden Rule: Head Straight to the Vet

Even if you successfully dislodge an object at home and your dog seems perfectly fine, go to the emergency vet immediately. Choking causes severe physical stress, localized trauma to the throat, and can cause fluid to rapidly build up in the lungs (non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema).


Bookmark these videos, share them with your family, and let's keep our pups safe while they enjoy their favorite DIY treats!

 

~ Jill Kudera

CPDT-KA Certified Professional Dog Trainer

Licensed and Insured

Licensed Veterinary Technician

Canine and Feline CPR and First Aid Certified

 
 
 

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