'I'm completely in shock' - Puppies & Yoga spokesman responds to online backlash

A spokesman for Puppies & Yoga has described his shock at the response to news of a puppy yoga studio opening in Dublin City Centre. 

The popular activity has achieved great success in other cities such as Paris and Amsterdam, with Puppies & Yoga Dublin set to open its doors to the Irish public this month. 

A French company which operates in 10 countries, each Puppies & Yoga class is reportedly 60 minutes long with a break in the middle; the first 30 minutes is dedicated to the practice of yoga with a certified instructor, while the last 30 minutes is for playing and cuddling with the puppies. 

However, although some dog lovers are happy for the chance to try the classes, animal rights activists and some members of the public have expressed concern regarding the welfare of the participating puppies. 

Husky Rescue Ireland (HRI) released the following statement following news of the opening: "Apparently Doggy Yoga is coming to Dublin, with puppies from ethical breeders. Please know this is not right, puppies should not be used as a marketing tool or a piece of equipment. 

"Not to mention the fall out of this issue will put more pressure on pounds and rescues who are already full and struggling to stay open." 

HRI urged followers to avoid the classes and "spread the word". 

Dozens of other dog lovers have posted online about their concerns. 

Some believe the puppies are too young to leave their mothers, leading to inhibited development, while others have concerns about the origin of the puppies and what will happen to them when they age. 

Additionally, some social media users have pointed to Ireland's current dog rehoming crisis, with shelters across the country packed with unwanted dogs. 

One Facebook commenter said, "It's an absolute disgrace. Should be banned." 

Another said, "This is incredibly selfish and irresponsible." 

Another Facebook user commented, "This is the last thing [that] needed to be opening in current climate! There is a dog rehoming crisis at [the] moment, shelters/pounds/rescues rammed, breeders unable [to] rehome puppies so giving them to rescues!" 

However, not everyone is against the classes. 

One Instagram commenter stated, "This will make me finally start yoga", while another wrote, "Can't wait." 

Another commented, "So cute!" 

Henri from Puppies & Yoga is eager to clear up any concerns. 

He said, “We kind of have the same process everywhere. How it works is that we work with professional breeders only. So breeders are used to their dogs and know the behavior of their dogs.

"We find them online, we talk with them a lot. We explain to them the concept, we explain to them every detail of how a puppy yoga session is working. And then, yeah, that's how we source them.” 

Although site visits are not typically part of their research – with the exception of some site visits which reportedly occurred in Paris – Henri explained they receive videos and photos from their chosen breeders, as well as vaccination books and a history of the breed.

He said, "I trust professional breeders. I check their history, their social media and website.

“It's the breeder who decides, meaning that sometimes breeders tell me, okay, we give them water from this period of time to this period of time, we give them food from this period of time to this period of time, because he knows or she knows about their puppies. 

“My word doesn't mean anything. It's the breeder's word who is important, because he knows about his dog, and we trust him totally. The puppies have the same conditions as if they were in their house." 

According to Henri, there are two cleaning staff dedicated to clearing messes if they happen during the classes.

He said, “They clean instantly with specific products and then during the break between the lessons, [the puppies] are taken outside or they have a specific space to pee or poo.”

Henri stated that puppies participating in Puppies & Yoga classes are all vaccinated and at least 8 weeks old.

He confirmed that the puppies involved vary in age between 8 weeks and 4 months, after which the breeder arranges an adoption.

According to Henri, many puppies have already been chosen for adoption when they take part in the yoga classes.

After classes, puppies leave with their breeder.

Henri said, “Usually when they come, they're already all adopted, but they have to wait, or there's a certain timing before they join their family, which is very good, actually.

“And this is why the exercise of puppy yoga is very good, because it trains them to socialize before joining their family, and usually, like I said, 90% of the dogs are already adopted, and obviously if some people have questions and want to have more information about the breed, they can ask directly to the breeder.

“But usually they're all adopted.” 

He continued, “I had many cases where some people were interested in adopting a dog, but they didn't adopt the ones who were at the puppy yoga sessions. They just knew more about the breed, and then got in contact with the breeder.”

Henri insists it is “not a commercial thing”.

He said, “It's very important to tell the breeder that the puppy yoga classes are not used for adoption.” 

Speaking about the backlash from some people in Ireland, he said, “To be completely honest with you, I saw the comments in Dublin, and I'm completely in shock because people didn't come, [they've] never tried, don't know the conditions, and some people think they are professional about dogs.

“I saw some horrible comments about animal abuse and stuff, and they don't know that there's rules. They don't know that we do this in 10 countries, that we're all dog lovers. 

“I mean, you have to come and try.”

He continued, “That's the massive thing that we're trying to tell to everyone, come and try. There are some rules. There are some breaks. 

“The puppies are treated like at home, they have water like at home, they have food like at home, they have their own space.“

According to Henri, participants cannot stand up with the dogs, and they are not allowed to wake them up if they are asleep.

He said, “They have their own space to sleep. If they sleep, they sleep. If they want to socialize and go around and cuddle, they do, but there are some rules. We don't do it like beginners. It's very important. 

“And the massive thing to understand is that we work with the breeders. So they are the ones who make the rules about their puppies.”

The studio is due to open on the weekend of May 11 and May 12, with classes costing €44.90 each. 

These dates are already sold out, according to the Puppies & Yoga Dublin official website.