--To check for a heartbeat, look at your dogs chest and see if it is moving, or place your ear against his chest and listen for a heartbeat. His heart is located where the left elbow touches the chest. Place your hand in front of his nose to determine if he is breathing. Move onto the next step if he is unresponsive.
--See if his airway is clear, and then pull the tongue forward out of his mouth. Even unresponsive dogs can still bite instinctively, so be careful not to get bitten. To open the airway, gently bring his head in line with his neck.
--Watch for your dogs chest to expand as you are breathing into his nose. Give him just enough air so the chest rises. Large dogs will require more air than small ones. Continue breathing into his nose, give one breath every three seconds.
--Look into the dogs mouth again for any objects that would block the airway, if his chest still does not rise when you breathe. If necessary, perform the Heimlich maneuver by turning him upside down with his back against your chest. With both arms, give his five strong, sharp hugs to the abdomen, until the object is expelled. Reach and remove it if you can see it. Until the airway is clear, do not start the chest compressions.
--Turn the dog gently on his right side to start the compressions. Put the heel of your hand on his chest over his heart. Put the other hand palm down on top. Compress his chest 15 times, or about three compressions every two seconds. Press down about 1 inch for medium-sized dogs, harder for larger dogs and less for smaller dogs. Dont press too hard because the dogs ribs may be broken. Alternate the compressions and breathing—do two breaths after every 15 compressions.
--Continue this until the dog has a hearbeat and is breathing regularly. As soon as he is stable, take him to the veterinarian. Get the dog to an emergency animal hospital immediately if you give him CPR and see that it is not helping.
