The Pawty Yoga Puppy Welfare Standard. Every class, every event, no exceptions.
Puppy yoga only works if it's good for the puppies first. That belief shapes every decision we make, from where our puppies come from to how many guests share a room with them. This page is the standard we hold ourselves to at every public class and private event, written down so you can hold us to it too.
Why we wrote this down
Plenty of businesses say they care about animal welfare. We'd rather show you exactly what that means in practice. Everything below is what actually happens at a Pawty Yoga session, not a wish list. If you ever see us fall short of it, tell us at [email protected] and we'll make it right.
If you're still deciding whether puppy yoga is right for you, our guide to puppy yoga classes in Houston covers sessions, pricing, and what to expect. This page covers the part that matters most: how the puppies are treated.
Where our puppies come from
Every puppy at a Pawty Yoga event comes exclusively from vetted, ethical local Houston-area breeders we have personally screened and partner with long-term. We visit their facilities, we ask for health testing and vaccination records, and we look at how the puppies are raised before we agree to work together. A breeder who can't show us those things doesn't become a partner, no matter how cute the puppies are.
The breeder is at the event with their puppies, so you can meet them and ask anything: how the puppies were raised, what the parents are like, what a typical day looks like for them. Many puppies at our events are available to take home through their breeder, and if you fall in love, we'll happily introduce you.
Want the specifics? You can read our full breeder vetting standard, including the exact checklist every breeder partner has to meet.
Age and health
The puppies at our events are 8 to 16 weeks old, the window where calm, positive time with new people is genuinely good for their development. Before any puppy joins a session:
- Vet-checked, every puppy has been examined by a veterinarian.
- Vaccinated, current on age-appropriate vaccinations, with their first shots as a minimum before any event.
- Temperament-screened, the breeder knows each puppy individually, and only the ones who are relaxed around people come to class.
And the rule that ties it all together: a puppy that isn't comfortable in a social setting stays home. No exceptions, no matter how short-handed a session might be.
Comfort during sessions
A great class feels effortless because everything behind it is deliberate. Here's what's true at every session:
20-guest cap, always
Every session is capped at 20 guests, never more. Small rooms keep the energy calm for the puppies and mean real puppy time for you.
A rest and nap zone
Our 75-minute sessions include a dedicated rest and nap zone puppies can retreat to whenever they want. Sleepy puppy? Nap time wins.
Fresh water, always
Water bowls stay full and within easy reach for the whole session, every time.
Handlers in the room
Handlers guide safe interaction the entire time, watching each puppy's body language from the first pose to the last snuggle.
Guests come to the puppies
Puppies are never passed around against their will. If a puppy wants your lap, wonderful. If not, you come say hi on their terms.
Sessions built for puppy stamina
75 minutes is long enough for plenty of play and plenty of rest, so puppies finish the class as happy as they started it.
Cleanliness and health safety
Young puppies deserve a clean, predictable environment, and so do you. Our hygiene routine protects both:
Shoes off
Shoes come off before anyone enters the class space, keeping outside germs away from puppy paws and noses.
Hand sanitizer for everyone
Every guest sanitizes before and after class. It takes ten seconds and protects the puppies and you.
Cleaned between every class
Mats and floors are cleaned between every class with vet-informed, animal-safe products. Never harsh chemicals around young puppies.
Accidents handled immediately
Puppies will be puppies. When an accident happens, it's cleaned right away, no waiting until the end of class.
Known, sanitized spaces
Young-puppy spaces are kept to known, sanitized environments, so every surface a puppy touches is one we've prepared.
The same routine, every time
This isn't a deep clean we do when someone's watching. It's the standard routine before, during, and after every single session.
Curious about safety for guests too? We answer the most common questions in Is puppy yoga safe?
Accountability to our guests
A welfare standard only means something if there's accountability behind it. Here's ours:
Puppy welfare FAQ
Where do the puppies come from?
Every puppy comes from a vetted, ethical Houston-area breeder we have personally screened and partner with long-term. The breeder is at the event with their puppies, so you can meet them and ask anything, and many puppies are available to take home through their breeder. Our full breeder vetting standard is published on our blog.
How old are the puppies?
Our puppies are 8 to 16 weeks old. Every puppy is vet-checked, current on age-appropriate vaccinations with first shots as a minimum before any event, and temperament-screened. A puppy that isn't comfortable in a social setting stays home.
How do you keep sessions clean?
Shoes come off in the class space, every guest uses hand sanitizer before and after, and mats and floors are cleaned between every class with vet-informed, animal-safe products. Accidents are cleaned immediately, and young-puppy spaces are kept to known, sanitized environments.
What happens if a puppy gets tired or overwhelmed?
Every session has a dedicated rest and nap zone puppies can retreat to whenever they want, and handlers watch for tired or overwhelmed puppies and rotate them out to rest. A puppy is never forced to keep playing, and puppies are never passed around against their will. Guests come to the puppies.
Are you insured?
Yes. Pawty Yoga carries $1 million in general liability coverage, and venues or corporate hosts can be added as an additional insured on request. Every attendee also signs a waiver before class.
See the standard in person
The easiest way to judge a welfare standard is to watch it in action. Join a public session on Aug 8 & 9 for $60, or bring the puppies to your people with a private event from $900, covering up to 20 guests.