Skip to main content

Dog yoga: Fad or fun activity with your pet?

Move over, cat videos: Dog pictures and videos have been taking the internet by storm. From talented pooches and rescue stories to the newest pet care crazes, you can find it all — including dog yoga. There isn’t just one video of dogs doing yoga with their owner, either, so where did this trend come from?

Whether or not you’re considering trying it out for yourself, reading up about dog yoga will keep you in the loop. Plus, you get to see the cutest pictures! Here’s everything you need to know about yoga with dogs.

What is dog yoga?

Although you may have seen these viral videos of adorable pups mirroring their humans’ yoga poses, the actual practice of “doga” — that is, dog yoga — isn’t quite so literal. When formally practicing doga (which really isn’t so formal), a pet parent moves through specific poses that integrate their pet and focus on many characteristics of dogs that people could learn from. Going with the flow, for example, is a popular lesson in dog yoga; you’ve never seen a pup stress out about their posture, have you?

Although a particularly aware dog might join in on the stretching and chanting, most pups either chill with their owner or socialize with one another during a yoga session. Some poses ask owners to hold or even lift their furry friends for an added dose of cute, but extra-squirmy pets might be more content watching from the ground. And that’s OK! It’s not about perfection, anyway (that’s lesson number two from our doggie instructors).

Just like yoga, doga can be practiced either alone or in a group. There are many books and videos to guide a solitary session, though in-person classes can be harder to come by depending on where you live.

a woman does a downward dog yoga pose while she kisses her small dog beneath her

How did dog yoga become popular?

Doga debuted in the U.S. in 2003 in the form of a book. Doga: Yoga for Dogs combines natural canine movements with well-known yoga techniques to create a unique, dog-inspired practice. Each pose is modeled by an adorable “dogi” (dog yogi) and is accompanied by a written explanation to help people try it, too.

Not long later, Swiss yoga teacher Mahny Djahanguiri found herself inspired to invent a practice that people and their furry friends could enjoy together. Her own book, Doga: Yoga for you and your Dog, hit the shelves in 2015. This style of doga will have you holding your fur baby most of the time, so larger dogs might not be the ideal companion for this pastime.

As social media continues to rise, many heart-stealing videos of dogs doing yoga with their owners have surfaced. This has most likely been the largest surge of awareness doga has ever seen, and it’s probably not going to end soon.

a dog lies on his back while a woman does a downward dog yoga pose next to him

Is dog yoga safe for dogs?

Doga — in practice and video form — has been both praised and criticized. Many yoga enthusiasts consider dog yoga to be more of a fad than a practice, claiming that it trivializes an otherwise serious practice. Of course, everyone has their own opinion.

One criticism to take very seriously is the concern over pet safety. If you’re attending a group, make sure that you’re confident in your dog’s ability to play nice and be calm. Don’t attempt any poses with your pet until you feel comfy with them alone, just to make sure no one gets hurt. If anything ever feels iffy to you, don’t do it!

When it comes to cuddling your dog while you stretch or letting them stretch out beside you, you’re good to go. Dogs naturally stretch and get into all kinds of crazy positions just to get comfortable, so a little activity sure won’t hurt. In fact, it could help! Older dogs or those with arthritis may benefit from some light exercise and stretching (via New York Times). Of course, if your pup doesn’t feel like being held, don’t force them since panicking is when they’re more likely to hurt themselves. As long as everyone stays calm, though, doga can be a safe and fun activity to share with your dog.

Whether you’ve done yoga before or have no clue what to expect, trying the technique alongside your furry friend has so many benefits. Doga can be a fantastic way to bond with your dog while getting a bit of exercise — or at least a few minutes of relaxation — yourself. At the very least, you’re definitely in for a smile or a laugh, so there’s no way to lose.

Editors' Recommendations

Gabrielle LaFrank
Gabrielle LaFrank has written for sites such as Psych2Go, Elite Daily, and, currently, PawTracks. When she's not writing, you…
Does your pet need to visit the dentist? Here’s how a dog teeth cleaning works
It seems scary but they won't feel or remember a thing
Doctor cleaning dog's teeth with toothbrush indoors

In theory, we all go to the dentist every six months to get our teeth cleaned, which helps keep the pearly whites in check and also contributes to overall health. Surprisingly, our pets also benefit from annual (or biennial) dental treatments. While these cleanings do wonders for your dog's teeth, they can make owners nervous and burn a hole in their wallets to boot. Here's why you should schedule regular cleanings for your pup.
How do I know if my dog's teeth need cleaning?
Unless it's a really severe case, you probably can't tell just by looking. Instead, your vet will take a peek in your animal's mouth during their yearly checkup. Your pet's doctor may give your furry friend a dental grade between 0 and 4, with 0 being reserved for puppies that have perfect teeth and 4 meaning Fido will likely require more advanced care, including extractions. Once you have the assessment, you can better determine if your pup needs a cleaning, but it's frequently recommended.
What happens during a dental cleaning
Some of that depends on the grade and your specific beast, but the gist of it stays the same. The main thing is not to worry too much because your little guy will be well cared for, and even though there's always some risk to anesthesia, this is a routine procedure.
Getting your pup ready
Before you even begin, you should get pre-op blood work done to make sure they can handle being under anesthesia. Have your vet discuss any outside-of-range findings and figure out the best way forward. Some older dogs develop kidney and liver problems, and your dog doc might decide that a cleaning isn't worth the risk.
Prepping for the cleaning
Your little guy will likely fast leading up to treatment (just as you would if you were going in for surgery). When you arrive, your vet will go over the schedule and almost certainly give them a once-over to confirm they're ready. Then they will get a sedative in preparation to go under. Figure out what time you need to pick them up and then try to distract yourself for a few hours.
During the procedure
Most vets will take X-rays, clean the teeth, and perform extractions as necessary. Don't worry — your pet will be fully asleep and will not remember or feel a thing. If they do need any teeth pulled, they might get additional shots during the visit (again, just as you would get Novocaine while getting your mouth done). Your vet may also take this opportunity to clip their nails (since they are asleep), if necessary.
Aftercare
If your dog had to have any work above a cleaning, you'll have a couple of meds to administer, such as pain medication and antibiotics. Follow the dosage carefully, especially if you're dealing with strong meds like codeine. In some circumstances, they may have to wear the cone of shame to prevent scratching at their mouth.
How else can you help your dog's oral hygiene?
There's a lot you can do as the pet parent in between cleanings. Consider brushing their teeth, giving doggie dental chews, putting an additive in their water, or putting them on prescription food if the issues are really severe.

The most important thing is to stay on top of your furry friend's oral health, just like you would with any other issues. That often means not feeding them human food, which can cause decay, and providing dry dog food or even dog bones to chew. As long as you stick with the routine, hopefully, you won't need too much extra detail care.

Read more
Bad dog? Bad pet parent: Why your dog’s disobedience is your fault
Pet parents need training, too. How to get back on track with your dog's training
A yellow Labrador retriever sticks his head in a grocery bag

If you ever uttered the words, "Help! My dog has become disobedient," then you're not alone. Badly behaved dogs are more common than most people realize, and that's actually a good thing. Because so many pet parents face the same issue, most dog owners have taken to the internet to share tips and tricks about the most effective training solutions for fearful, destructive, and even aggressive dogs.
That being said, each disobedient dog will react differently, so it may take time to discover a solution that works for you. We're here to share a few ideas to get you started, but keeping up with your dog's training is up to you.

At what age are dogs most disobedient?
Ugh — teenagers.
Parents of human kids can relate! Some of the most rebellious years happen during the teens for both people and dogs. When pups are between 5 to 18 months, they are starting to get more confident in their own bodies, often testing the boundaries of what they can and cannot do.
While you can’t stop your young dog’s rebellious phase, you can control how you respond to it. Staying consistent with your training is key to reinforcing expectations and showing your dog that it’s not effective to push the boundaries. No matter how cute your pup might be — you can’t give in!

Read more
What to feed dogs with diarrhea: These dietary staples might already be in your kitchen
Diarrhea in dogs can be remedied with these simple ingredients
A large dog squats to poop in a field of tall golden grass

Just like with children, adopting a dog comes with its fair share of messes. Whether you have torn-up squeaky toys strewn about your house or a muddy dog streaking through the yard, these are the things pet owners have to learn to take in stride. Besides, a little mess can be fun sometimes!
Dog diarrhea, though, is the opposite of a fun mess. No one enjoys trying to clean up something so runny and stinky, and it's even more miserable being on the other end. Luckily, there are a few simple home remedies for diarrhea in dogs that you can whip up from the comfort of your own kitchen. Odds are, you already have some of these ingredients!
Here's what to feed dogs with diarrhea.

Pumpkin is packed with helpful nutrients to help a dog's system reset
When your dog has diarrhea, you might not think of feeding them some pumpkin, but this vegetable can be a great source of bowel-regulating soluble fiber. Believe it or not, this fiber also helps dogs with constipation, so pumpkin can be a great choice whenever your pup is under the weather.

Read more