Pup Pose launches in Southampton, blending yoga with puppy cuddles

Pup and Pose has opened in Southampton with a simple formula built for instant appeal: 60-minute classes released in limited drops, the first 20 minutes puppy-free, then relaxed play and plenty of cuddles once the puppies come in. The business says bookings are live now, spots are limited, and new dates are offered only on selected days.

The launch arrived amid a louder national argument about the format. A UK Parliament petition calling for a ban on puppy yoga, puppy Pilates and other puppy cuddle therapy was published on 10 March 2026 and had 2,312 signatures at the time of the source, with the petition due to close on 10 September 2026. An earlier petition against puppy yoga classes closed on 1 November 2025. In December 2024, the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee said it had heard concerns from stakeholders about puppy yoga and kitty yoga and shared those concerns.

Pup and Pose is leaning hard into the wellness side of the experience. The company says its events combine gentle movement with animal interaction, with the aim of creating a welcoming space where dog lovers and wellness fans can connect and unwind. The venture was created by Lydia, the owner and instructor, out of a lifelong love of dogs and a passion for movement and mindfulness.

The welfare questions are front and center too. Pup and Pose says it does not buy, sell or re-home the puppies at its events, and says it is looking to work with ethical puppy breeders. Its FAQ says classes are held in Southampton, but the venue can change from class to class and the exact location is emailed to participants after tickets are purchased. That keeps the format flexible, but it also leaves the business relying on trust as it grows a local audience.

For anyone weighing the puppy side of puppy yoga, the wider guidance is clear. The RSPCA says puppies are not fully vaccinated at 8 to 12 weeks, and that socialisation should be careful, positive and age-appropriate, with rest built in and training kept short and fun. That makes the design of a session matter as much as the novelty of the puppies themselves.

Pup and Pose is trying to turn that novelty into repeat demand. By keeping the first stretch of each class puppy-free, releasing sessions in limited drops and anchoring the business in Southampton, Lydia is pitching more than a one-off photo opportunity. The real test now is whether the cuddles can become a fixture.