As I enter the sunlit dance studio in the heart of Lincoln, I can hear the standard mix of music, giggles and rhythmic steps as those aiming to be fit for summer enjoy the usual classes.
In one room, however, comes a rather more unexpected sound: light barking, panting and the soft tip-tapping of tiny paws on a shiny studio floor.
This is a mindful practice class with a difference. Pilates – with puppies. And I could not be more excited to be getting involved. Did I mention there are puppies?
What began as a fundraising event in North Carolina, in the US, in 2017 – an event that aimed to encourage people to adopt shelter dogs – has, over the last decade, become a global wellness trend.
Puppy Pilates took off in London, in 2018, and has since spread to cities across the UK, gaining thousands of tags on social media. Now it’s gaining huge popularity right here in Lincoln.
“We tried it in London years ago, and we just thought that there wasn’t anything like it in Lincoln,” says Olivia Gordon, the person behind the class. “We have done sessions for three years now and every event just sells out.”
In simple terms, puppy Pilates is a fusion of traditional mat Pilates and animal-assisted therapy, using gentle mobility movements to socialise young pups whilst boosting people’s mental well-being.
Certainly, here is no doubt our furry friends are good for said well-being – with 90 per cent of dog owners feeling happier after gaining a pet, according to a YouGov survey. Even engaging with a dog can boost oxytocin levels, the love hormone, according to John Hopkins Medicine.
And it is exactly these feel-good reasons which inspired Olivia and sister Grace to bring the trend to Lincoln for the first time in 2022, incorporating it into their well-being-focused business, which also includes pottery painting classes.
“We wanted to stick with the Ps, as we had pottery, pizza and prosecco,” says 31-year-old Olivia at their base at the Jessica Leigh Dance Studios in Farrier Road.
For ethical reasons, the sisters ensure the puppies come from reputable breeders who also stay and supervise the one-hour session, bringing beds, water bowls and toys to keep the young pups comfortable.
“It’s a puppy at the end of the day,” says Olivia. “People are fine if there are accidents. We just clean it up. They only do one session, so they are in there for an hour and that’s it.”
Pilates itself – minus puppies, this is – is fast becoming one of the planet’s most popular workouts with global bookings rising 84 per cent in 2024 according to the Body Coach. Sessions use a series of movements which focus on strength, balance, stability and co-ordination, using breathing techniques to enhance mindfulness.
But Jenny Gutterage, who is a regular at these puppy sessions, reckons this dog-version of Pilates is even better.
“It’s a bit like therapy, I mean everyone loves dogs,” says the the 23-year-old commercial property assistant. “I feel more relaxed afterwards as I am quite stressed out at home. It is just a very calm and nice thing to come to.”
Jessica Coveley, aged 47 and physio instructor, is also a fan – even if there can be difficulties.
“We had mixed labs one session, and they kept running at me with their mouths open like piranhas,” she says. “I would run around the room to get away from them. Sometimes it is tricky.”
Indeed, while puppy Pilates is said to provide the dogs with early socialisation benefits, concerns have been raised by animal activists regarding their welfare.
Being overwhelmed or overhandled can impact a puppy’s early developmental stage, which is between three to 12 weeks. According to Pets4Homes, puppies should be kept with their mother until they three-months-old, causing controversy over organisations which have used much younger dogs.
Lincolnshire-based canine behaviourist Megan Burnett says: “We never want to exploit them for entertainment, so organisers should make sure that, whatever they are doing, meets the puppies’ welfare needs, which must come first.
“For a happy puppy, we would look for a nice, relaxed, wiggly body language, with soft eyes and an open mouth.
“Any tension, lip licking, looking away, white eyes or a tucked tail can be signs that they are uncomfortable.”
Nonetheless, experts say that, handled safely – and when of the right age – there is no reason why puppy Pilates cannot bring a paw-sitive (yes, I just did that) experience to all who take part.
