Is Puppy Yoga Ethical? How We Care for the Puppies

It's a fair question — and one we're glad people ask. Puppy yoga has exploded in popularity, and not every operation runs it responsibly. So before you book anywhere, here's an honest look at what makes puppy yoga ethical (or not), and how we do it at Puppy & Flow.

The real concern

Puppy yoga is only as ethical as the people running it. The genuine risks are well documented: puppies that are too young, sessions that are too long, rooms that are too crowded, no quiet space to rest, or puppies sourced from breeders and "puppy mills" rather than rescues. Done carelessly, it can stress young animals.

Done thoughtfully, it's the opposite — a calm, supervised hour that helps socialize puppies and, in many cases, helps them find homes. The difference is entirely in the details.

How we keep it ethical

Here's how Puppy & Flow approaches every class:

• Rescue puppies, not breeders. Our puppies come from local rescue partners. The goal isn't just a cute class — it's socialization and, when a puppy is ready, adoption.
• Rest is built in. Puppies are never forced to participate. There's space to nap, water always available, and handlers watching the whole time. If a puppy wants a break, it gets one.
• Small, capped classes. We cap attendance so the room stays calm and every puppy gets gentle, unhurried attention — not a crowd.
• Trained supervision. Handlers are present throughout to keep both the puppies and the humans comfortable, and to step in the moment a puppy needs quiet.
• Care comes first. Food, clean water, vet care, sanitation, and safe handling are non-negotiable. Optional donations from guests go directly toward that care and the rescue partners we work with.

What you can do as a guest

You're part of keeping it ethical, too:

• Let the puppies come to you — never chase, grab, or wake a sleeping puppy.
• Follow the handlers' cues. If they ask for a calmer moment, give the puppies space.
• Keep the energy gentle. The point is a relaxed hour, for you and for them.

The happy ending

The best part of responsible puppy yoga is what happens after class: puppies that are better socialized, and sometimes a guest who decides to adopt. Several of our regulars first met their dog on a yoga mat.

If that sounds like the kind of class you'd want to support, come see how it works — book a class in Westwood, or read what to expect at your first puppy yoga class before you go.