Puppy Love, or Labour? What to know about the popular ‘puppy yoga’ trend.

Animal-assisted wellness trends have always been around for years now – from cat cafes, to alpaca walks. Spending time with our furry friends to relieve stress, regulate emotions and practice mindfulness is nothing new. But where do we draw the line? Over the last decade, ‘puppy yoga’ has dramatically risen in popularity, featuring in yoga studios up and down the country, and even extending into kitten yoga and goat yoga. I want to take a deeper dive into this latest wellness trend, to see exactly what it does for us and our canine counterparts. 

Taking it right back to the beginning – to 2002, to be precise – we saw the premise of puppy yoga pop up in the form of ‘Doga’, first in the US then arriving in the UK by 2004. This early iteration saw dog owners taking yoga classes with their own pets, often held throughout the class. Doga was popular, but didn’t gain the levels of traction we’ve seen in recent years. It did make a reappearance, however, in 2015 when Mahny Djahanguiri, a Swiss-British yoga teacher, published Doga: Yoga for you and your dog, helping establish the practice in the UK. Could this be what led to the sweeping puppy yoga trend? It’s hard to say, but by 2018, the first puppy yoga club launched in North London, expanding across the country since. 

So, whilst the concept of yoga with dogs has been around for much longer, the specific trend of yoga classes using young puppies, really took off in the last decade. 

Now that you’re caught up, let’s take a look at what a puppy yoga class really looks like. Usually lasting between 45 and 60 minutes, classes accommodate anywhere from 10 to 20 people. On top of this, around 6 to 10 puppies; generally, these puppies are around 6-12 weeks old and will have come from a breeder, rescue centre or fostering programmes. As participants are guided through a gentle, relaxing yoga flow, puppies are allowed to roam freely, interact with participants and nap as they please. After the session, there’s often dedicated playtime and opportunities for cuddles and all-important selfies. 

It’s important to note, it’s difficult to determine the ethics of puppy yoga, as a whole. But, as the trend has grown, so have concerns – are sessions too frequent? Too long? Are the puppies too young? Have they had enough rest? The ethical standing often hinges on the practices of the provider. Reputable organisations typically collaborate with licensed breeders, rescue centres, or animal charities, ensuring the puppies’ welfare is prioritised. They may limit the number of sessions, include breaks for the animals, and use the sessions as part of socialisation training. In contrast, less scrupulous providers may exploit the trend for profit without proper oversight, risking the health and wellbeing of the animals. 

If you’re booking a puppy yoga class, look for a provider that values transparency, professional partnerships and a focus on animal welfare. 

Luckily, it’s not all negative. Puppy yoga can be amazing for both your mental and physical health. The presence of puppies during a yoga session can reduce stress and anxiety, as interacting with animals is known to release feel-good hormones like oxytocin and serotonin. This calming effect can enhance the relaxing benefits of yoga, helping you to feel more at ease and present during their practice. Most of all, it can boost mood and create a sense of joy – they are puppies, after all. 

Still wondering if it’s for you? Yulia is one of the many people to try out a puppy yoga class this year, and she found the experience overwhelmingly positive:

“I really enjoyed that session. The girls were nice and friendly. They were very attentive to the dogs, showed us how to carry them, and provided us with many instructions. I feel like I experienced a kind of mental relief after the interaction with the puppies.” 

Who knows what the next animal wellness trend could be – goat yoga, sloth meditation, capybara cold plunges? Whatever it may be, I think we can say that puppy yoga is here to stay. And, if you’re the next participant of your local puppy yoga class – check reviews, do your research and trust your gut. 

Featured images: Yulia Demchenko