Otago Surf Life Saving search and rescue co-ordinator Max Corboy said an inflatable rescue boat was put in the water and headed out to where the dog was perched on a cliff at the north end of Tomahawk Beach, about 4.30pm.
St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club lifeguards Felix Cook and Sam Todd were able to rescue the slightly scraped, but otherwise uninjured, dog.
They got in touch with the dog’s owner, who was en route to pick it up, Mr Corboy said.