Puppy yoga – the term might raise a few eyebrows, but this is the newest trend doing the rounds with celebrities and influencers. And what could be the problem? Exercise but with cute puppies – what’s not to love? However, there may actually be some problem involved with puppy yoga you might not be aware of. Some people are even arguing for the practice to be banned, or at least regulated. Today let’s investigate the practice of puppy yoga classes. 

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What‘s Puppy Yoga?

According to yogabasics.com, puppy yoga is a standard yoga class but with puppies running around you. The idea being that yoga is often serious, so the addition of cuddly puppies “nibbling on you” could make it more light-hearted. 

In some classes, the puppies simply free-roam around the room, doing what they like. In others, the puppies are involved in the yoga itself, being placed into yoga positions. The website reports that the puppies may be borrowed from local shelters, or loaned by breeders. They also specifically say “there are not a lot of rules…” though some advise not bringing your own yoga equipment to prevent the spread of infection to the puppies. It seems that exposure and social media is important to many of these classes, as phones are allowed and even encouraged for photo taking.

What Might the Positives Be?

The main benefits put forward by companies offering these classes tend to first describe the physical benefits of yoga, which many people are well aware of. And certainly yoga is a great form of exercise, stretching and relaxation. The addition of dogs may enhance relaxation and encourage you to work harder and feel more at ease (though equally you may become distracted!). 

The mental benefits are often commented on too; with standard yoga classes again being a good form of mental relaxation, socialisation and stress-relief. With puppies this again may be even better; particularly for people who are less outgoing puppies might be a good icebreaker. The positive effects of petting an animal are also mentioned more than once.

Of course, most classes also discuss the possible benefits to the puppies themselves, though it is interesting to note how these are often last in the list of benefits. They claim that the puppies get good socialisation at an important period of their life (and puppies do need appropriate socialisation around that age), which makes them better family dogs. For classes that borrow dogs from shelters, they say that this may provide opportunities for them to be spotted and adopted by class members. However, many of the classes seem to only use puppies from breeders that already have owners waiting; so this won’t apply to all.

What are the Negatives?

Despite the positives listed above, there may be a number of negatives associated with puppy yoga, mainly in relation to animal welfare. ITV News performed an investigation into a number of classes and uncovered concerning information. Subsequently, the RSPCA, The Kennel Club, an MP, the Blue Cross, the British Veterinary Association, senior veterinary surgeons and even a celebrity have all spoken out against the practice. Here are some of the reasons why:

First of all the conditions the puppies are kept in 

Most are left to roam free, meaning they can easily get themselves into trouble or have accidents. From recorded footage, there are not enough staff members for the numbers of puppies; especially as they are managing a yoga class at the same time. More concerning, the puppies do not always have free access to food and water, with one staff members claiming water “might make them pee more”. This is a clear violation of animal welfare law. 

The puppies also do not have anywhere to go to rest away from humans. A class like this will be very overstimulating for puppies, who need up to 20 hours of sleep a day. For example, one class had puppies repeatedly woken up to play with customers. This will result in sleep deprivation, stress and potentially behavioural issues.

Next we have the issue of age

The website explaining puppy yoga states that puppies are up to 14 weeks old. But the investigation uncovered that some puppies were working in classes as young as 6 weeks old. This is a huge concern – puppies cannot legally leave their mum before 8 weeks old. Though taking them to a class temporarily is a bit of a grey area, it is clearly not in the puppies’ best interest. 

Furthermore, most puppies in the UK are vaccinated around 8 weeks old, and cannot be considered protected until 12 weeks of age. Even if these puppies had their first vaccine at 6 weeks old, which is sometimes done, they will not have the full protection needed; opening them up to a host of deadly diseases if hygiene is not strict. 

On the topic of hygiene, this should be considered too, both for humans and animals

Many puppies are not fully housetrained, and even those that are likely to do things considered unacceptable in a yoga class. The spread of saliva, faeces, urine and other contaminants will present a hygiene risk, especially if cleanliness is not optimum. This also goes both ways, and humans could easily be bringing parasites or other diseases into classes if they have pets at home. 

We also have concerns over the lack of training, both staff and participants

It takes a lot of effort to appropriately look after just one puppy at home. Caring for many puppies during the day requires more training, protocols and safety procedures to ensure animal welfare needs are met. While we don’t have any direct information if staff members have this training, the ITV investigation would seem to imply otherwise. Few of the classes’ websites offer guidelines to human participants on how to appropriately interact with puppies. If done incorrectly, this could lead to distress or injury.  Using live animals as part of a business should require strict standards.

Injuries in general are also a major consideration

Unsupervised puppies, as we have already stated, are at risk of injury if there are hazards in any area; such as cables, sharp objects, or falls. Regarding these classes specifically, having people in awkward positions with puppies running around put both at risk of trips or falls. Puppies can easily be trodden on, kicked or crushed, and people can fall and injure themselves. The involvement of puppies in yoga poses that their bodies may not be suited to could also lead to injury.

Finally, if all safety measures and basic welfare needs are met, there is still the issue of whether puppy yoga is even appropriate socialisation at all

The Blue Cross does not think so, advising puppy yoga is not “a substitute for an educational socialisation class… [and] puppies and adult dogs may be at risk of learning inappropriate behaviours…”. Puppies of this age are learning all the time. They need routine, structured socialisation to develop into a well-rounded adult dog. While a single yoga class may not cause long-term behavioural issues, if the puppy learns through repeated classes they can act as they like; it is always playtime, and “nibbling” on people is okay, they are likely to have behavioural issues in later life. While inappropriate behaviour can be corrected, it is much easier to teach a puppy how to behave properly early on. 

If you need a conclusion as to why puppy yoga is not dog welfare friendly, the RSPCA stated “there is nothing in the environment which we would consider to be beneficial to the health, welfare or the behavioural lifelong development of these animals”. Most of the benefits are for the human participants. And any perceived benefits for puppies actually demonstrate a concerning lack of welfare. Using puppies as advertising for financial gain is very irresponsible. Some have even argued these classes may promote irresponsible puppy sales of the breeders’ puppies.

Should You Attend Puppy Yoga Classes? What are the Alternatives?

You may still be asking if it is okay to attend puppy yoga classes. Based on the available evidence from news sites, organisations and the classes’ own websites, we cannot recommend those classes that we have seen. Their priority is not welfare of the puppies. And in the best case scenario could result in ill-adjusted behaviour, or serious injury or even death in the worst case. The Blue Cross say “A good yoga class could be run with the right approach and the right emphasis on the dogs themselves, but we are yet to see one” which seems to be a sensible mentality. If there is no possible way to make puppy yoga classes welfare-friendly and for the dogs’ benefit, arguably they should be restricted.

For those wanting similar experiences that are better for welfare, the RSPCA has put forward some suggestions; including volunteering for a dog charity, going on a mindful dog walk, listening to classical music with your dog, and even gardening with your pet. 

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