Instructions
Check your dog's mouth for a foreign object. Don't reach in and grab anything you feel. Dogs have small bones that provide support for their tongues, and you can seriously injure your dog if you assume that those bones are causing the choking and pull them out. Look into your dog's mouth and throat to see if you can identify the object. There are health problems, other than choking, that can cause difficulty breathing. If you're in doubt, call your veterinarian and ask for instructions.
Stand behind your dog and wrap your arms around its waist in a bear hug. You can perform the Heimlich from this position or you can lift your dog so that it stands on its hind legs, its spine against your stomach and its head near yours.
Place your fist on your dog's abdomen just behind its ribs. Compress the abdomen with your fist, using quick, sharp pushes. Compress the abdomen three to five times.
Look in your dog's mouth again to see if you successfully removed the object. Don't attempt the Heimlich more than twice, or you risk causing further injury. If you weren't successful, take your dog to the nearest vet.
Take your dog to a veterinarian even if you do successfully remove the foreign object. Ask your vet to check for any internal injuries that can result from the Heimlich maneuver.
How to Perform the Heimlich on a Dog
Life-threatening emergencies can be terrifying, and, unfortunately for dog owners, they can strike pets as easily as they can strike people. Because dogs explore their world with their mouths, one possible medical emergency is choking. Fortunately, the Heimlich maneuver can help prevent a dog from choking to death.