ITV News evidence shows puppies’ basic welfare needs not being met.

An ITV News investigation has raised concerns about the recent wellness trend of puppy yoga which involves young dogs wandering around the classes and sometimes being incorporated into yoga poses.

Puppy yoga classes are often marketed as an opportunity to cuddle and play with puppies, where the young dogs have the chance for playtime and socialisation.

ITV News compiled evidence over a number of months by attending puppy yoga classes around the country. The classes varied greatly in terms of the environment the puppies experienced but some of the footage shows very young puppies being used in the classes with no access to water and no opportunity to rest in protected areas away from people. 

The footage was shown to leading animal experts. 

Esme Wheeler, science and policy officer for dog welfare and behaviour at the RSPCA told ITV News: “This is entertainment, in my view, which is operating under the guise of socialisation. But this is not to the benefit of the dogs.

“There is nothing in that environment which I would consider to be beneficial to the health, the welfare or the behavioural lifelong development of these animals.” 

Since ITV News published its story, leading animal charities have spoken out about the practice.

Bill Lambert, health, welfare and breeder services executive at The Kennel Club, said: “We have serious concerns about young puppies being taken into any environment where there aren’t clear standards around how they are cared for before, during and after that time.

"Any dog, but especially those of such a young age, should always have access to water, a safe area to go to the toilet and exercise, as well as plenty of time to rest in a quiet, and ideally private area. There should also always be someone responsible and knowledgeable looking out for their welfare, and making it a priority, at all times.”

Ryan Neile, head of animal behaviour at Blue Cross, said: “Blue Cross would not recommend or endorse any activities that exploit pets for human enjoyment without first considering their needs. 

“Dog and puppy yoga classes are slightly different, as being naturally social with people most dogs like to be with humans. But these classes will never be a substitute for an educational socialisation class, as the behaviours and interactions of the dogs are often not supervised or overseen by anyone with knowledge, skill or pet behavioural experience.

"If anything, puppies and adult dogs may be at risk of learning inappropriate behaviours whilst their humans are busy concentrating doing the lotus position or downward dog. 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.”