Doga (yoga)

Doga teachers have invoked the "seemingly enlightened"[1] nature of dogs and the benefits of exercise, bonding and enjoyment that the activity can bring.

"[8] In 2003, Jennifer Brilliant and William Berloni published their book Doga: Yoga for Dogs; they claimed that "Dogis[a] [sic] never try to impress.

[12] Bethany Lyttle writing in The New York Times, and Katie Briney writing on the Active website, report claimed advantages of Doga, including that the practice emphasizes yoga's focus on union between beings; helps establish a pack mentality; strengthens the bond between owner and pet; can provide additional weight resistance to intensify a physical practice; can assist injured, obese, or elderly dogs; and is enjoyable.

[1] The occupational therapist Melissa Y. Winkle describes in her book Dogwood Doga a wide range of activities shared by owner and dog, selected for their therapeutic value, with precautions to be observed.

[15] Doga has been criticised as a fad, for trivialising yoga, for lax policies on teacher certification, and for untrained dogs' interference in participants' concentration and relaxation.

[17] In 2024, the Dutch Minister of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality, Piet Adema, called for a ban on "puppy yoga".