An approach combining ventral midline celiotomy with transdiaphragmatic thoracotomy for permanent electronic cardiac pacemaker implantation was evaluated in seven dogs with bradycardia. Dogs ranged in body weight from 6.7 to 32 kg, with a mean of 22.2 ± 11.1 kg. Body conformation varied from narrow, deep‐chested animals to very broad‐chested animals. The new approach was used with equal facility in all of these dogs. Thoracocentesis was performed intraoperatively after diaphragmatic closure. No dogs required postoperative thoracocentesis or tube thoracostomy. All seven dogs survived the surgical procedure. Two dogs required three subsequent operations by the new approach for correction of exit block or faulty pulse generators. No problems were encountered during these reoperations, which occurred 2 days, 1 month, and 5 months, respectively, following the previous surgery. No serious complications attributable to the surgical approach were seen in any of the dogs, with follow‐up times ranging from 6 hours to greater than 12 months (five dogs still alive). The transdiaphragmatic approach is a rapid, cosmetic, and subjectively less painful means for permanent pacemaker implantation in dogs.