If you have a dog, then you surely know that they can get a little rowdy when they play.

In all their excitement, dogs can go after a ball a little too exuberantly and accidentally swallow the toy.

This is what happened to one South Carolina German Shepherd named Clyde.

He was playing fetch with his owners with his favorite red Kong toy when it got lodged in his throat.

Clyde’s owners acted quickly and immediately brought him to the local vet’s office where they were able to get it out.

You might be thinking the vet team just did regular old CPR on the pup to get the toy out, but you’d be wrong.

There is actually a technique specifically for balls, or other similarly shaped objects, when they get lodged in a dog’s throat.

There are a few simple steps that need to take place before this maneuver can happen, but it is usually successful when deployed properly.

The technique is known as XXT, or the External Extraction Technique.

Basically, you are pushing the toy back up the throat.

In order to do this properly, the first step is to lay the dog flat on the ground and straddle it.

Position the dog’s head so that it is parallel to the floor and the throat is fully exposed.

It is best if there is someone else to help you with this technique as someone will need to hold the dog’s head in position for the maneuver to work.

When the dog is laying flat, have your helper hold their head still and have their mouth open.

You then want to find your dog’s trachea, the ringed tube of the throat, and where the ball is in the trachea.

Extend your thumbs as far as you can in an exaggerated hitch hikers position, and angle them towards each other so it creates an ‘A’ shape.

Place your thumbs on either side of where the ball is, right at the base of the ball.

The next step is to push down and up with your thumbs.

Push down on either side of the ball and then aim the ball up and out of the dog’s mouth.

It may take a few attempts, but should quickly push the ball right out of the dog’s throat.

Once the ball is out, it is still a good idea to give your dog a few deep breaths to kickstart their breathing again.

The vet that saved Clyde, Dr. Margaret Hunt, was elated when the ball popped out of the dog’s mouth and she threw her hands in the air in celebration.

She then recorded and posted a quick demonstration video on a model dog in order to teach others how to properly use the technique.

While it will hopefully never be needed on your own pet, it is a good idea to try and learn this technique, you never know when you might need to employ it.

Learn the life-saving technique from Dr. Hunt in the video clip linked below.

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Source: Youtube, Inside Edition, Veterinary Partner