[alaskayorkie]

I want my dogs to be comfortable on the ground and when I carry them, so I do a lot of both. On walks, they are on the ground. I don't want them jumping up on me because they prefer being carried. But in a crowd, I carry them. It depends on the situation.

As therapy dogs, they took the test as small animals -- meaning I was allowed to carry them on several stages of the test. In the hospital, I'm required to carry them in those same situations -- in a crowd, entering the hospital, around other dogs, etc. So I want them to be comfortable when I carry them, too. I don't want them squirming to get on the ground.

As for puppy class, I think your instructor is right that it's not a good idea to hold them ALL the time. However, as puppies, it's important that they're held by lots of people so they're comfortable around people when they grow up.