What Our Dogs Can Teach Us About Yoga

Have you ever looked at your dog stretching in the morning and thought:

Wait a minute. I know that pose.

There’s a reason yoga is filled with names from the animal world—Downward-Facing Dog, Upward-Facing Dog, Cat, Cobra, Eagle, Dolphin and many more.

Animals stretch, balance, lengthen, curl, reach and move their bodies naturally. And sometimes all we must do is stop and watch.

So today, let’s have a little fun with Doga—yoga alongside our dogs.

And no, your dog does not need a yoga mat, perfect form or tiny yoga pants.

Please do not buy your dog yoga pants!!!!LOL

Downward-Facing Dog

Human Version

Start on your hands and knees.

Spread your fingers, press through your hands and gently lift your hips upward and back. Keep a soft bend in your knees if that feels better for your back or hamstrings.

Think about creating length through your spine rather than trying to force your heels to the floor.

Now hold that thought.

Dog Version

Watch your dog after waking up from a good nap.

Front legs forward.

Chest low.

Hindquarters up.

Recognize anything?

Dogs perform versions of this stretch naturally.

Rather than physically placing your dog into position, you can begin putting a cue to a movement your dog already offers.

When your dog naturally stretches, mark it with praise such as “Yes!” and give it a name. (Stretch, Downward Dog, Doga Down, etc)

Over time, your dog may begin associating the word with the movement.

Ok, if you want to train your dog to do the pose step by step here is how:

Have your dog stand comfortably on all four paws in front of you on a nonslip surface.

Have a small treat ready.

Step 2: Place the Treat at Your Dog’s Nose

Let your dog smell the treat.

Keep it close enough that your dog wants to follow your hand.

Step 3: Lower the Treat Toward the Floor

Slowly bring the treat downward toward the floor between your dog’s front paws.

Your dog’s head should begin to lower as the nose follows the treat.

Step 4: Move the Treat Slightly Forward

Once your dog’s head is lowered, slowly move the treat forward along the floor.

This encourages the front legs to stretch forward and the chest to lower while the hindquarters remain standing.

Think:

Front paws forward.

Head and chest down.

Hindquarters up.

Step 5: Click and Treat

The instant your dog reaches the Downward Dog position:

Click!

Then immediately give the treat.

At first, don’t worry about holding the pose. Reward the position as soon as your dog gets there.

Step 6: Reset and Repeat

Let your dog stand normally again.

Then repeat:

Stand → treat down → treat forward → Downward Dog → click → treat.

Keep the first training session short—just a few successful repetitions.

Step 7: Add the Verbal Cue

Once your dog is beginning to understand the movement, add your cue:

“Downward Dog!”

Say the cue just before moving your hand downward and forward.

Then:

Cue → hand signal → position → click → treat.

Step 8: Fade the Treat Lure

As your dog gets better at the movement, use the same downward-and-forward hand motion without holding the treat in that hand.

When your dog performs Downward Dog:

Click!

Then reward from your other hand.

Eventually, your dog may respond to the words “Downward Dog” or the hand signal alone.

Keep It Fun

Never push your dog’s chest down or pull the front legs into position.

Let the treat and your hand signal guide the movement.

We’re looking for a comfortable stretch—not perfect yoga form.

And there you have it:

Four paws. One treat. One Downward Dog.

Upward-Facing Dog

Human Version

Lie on your stomach with your hands near your ribs.

Gently press through your hands as you lift your chest, keeping the movement comfortable for your back.

You do not need to push yourself into a dramatic backbend.

Especially on a restorative day, smaller can be better.

Dog Version

For our dogs, I wouldn’t try to physically reproduce a human Upward-Facing Dog pose.

Instead, look for a comfortable position your dog already knows—perhaps lying down with the chest raised and head looking forward or slightly upward. FYI- usually after your dog wakes they do Downward Dog they will go into Upward Dog watch for it!

You can reward your dog for calmly holding that position while you practice yours nearby.

To train your dog to do this step by step:

Step 1: Begin in a Down

Ask your dog to lie down comfortably on a nonslip surface.

Ideally, the front legs should be stretched forward rather than tucked underneath the body.

Step 2: Get Your Dog’s Attention

Hold a small treat near your dog’s nose.

Let your dog smell it, but don’t give it yet.

Step 3: Slowly Raise the Treat

Move the treat gently upward and slightly back toward you.

As your dog follows the treat with the nose, the head should rise and the chest may naturally lift a little.

Keep the movement small.

We want:

Front paws down.

Chest lifted.

Head up.

Step 4: Mark the Position

The moment your dog gives you that nice lifted chest and head position, say:

“Good Upward Dog!”

Then reward.

At first, even one second is enough.

Step 5: Reset

Let your dog relax back into a normal down.

Then try again.

Do just a few repetitions so the movement stays comfortable and fun.

Step 6: Add the Cue

Once your dog starts recognizing the movement, say your cue just before you guide the treat upward.

You might use:

“Upward Dog.”

“Up Dog.”

Or simply:

“Up.”

Then:

Cue → movement → “Yes!” → treat.

Step 7: Fade the Treat Lure

Once your dog understands the movement, begin making the same upward hand motion without holding food in that hand.

When your dog lifts the head and chest:

“Yes!” or “Good Upward Dog”

Then reward from your other hand.

Eventually, your dog may respond to the hand signal or verbal cue alone.

Step 8: Build a Tiny Hold

When your dog is comfortable, wait one second before marking.

Then perhaps two seconds

The goal isn’t to make a dog perform human yoga.

Two bodies.

Two species.

One little movement break together.

Extended Puppy Pose

Well, with a name like Extended Puppy Pose, you know we must talk about this one today.

Human Version

Begin on your hands and knees.

Keep your hips above your knees while slowly walking your hands forward.

Allow your chest to gently move toward the floor while keeping everything comfortable through your shoulders and back.

This is a stretch—not a competition.

To train your dog to do this step by step:

Have your dog

Dog Version

Your dog’s natural front-body stretch or play bow is our inspiration again.

If your dog already offers the movement, mark and reward it.

Never push, pull or force your dog’s legs, hips or spine into a yoga position.

Doga should be something you do together, not something you do to your dog.

This is almost as if your new puppy is trying to get another dog or you to play!

(Photo of Scout in his Extended Puppy Pose/ Play)

To train your dog to do this pose step by step basically a play bow:

Step 1: Start with your dog standing

Have your dog stand comfortably in front of you on a nonslip surface.

Keep a few small treats ready.

Step 2: Bring the treat toward the floor

Hold a treat near your dog’s nose and slowly move it downward toward the floor, between the front paws.

You want your dog to begin lowering the head and chest.

Step 3: Keep the hindquarters up

This is the important part.

Move the treat slightly forward and downward so your dog stretches the front legs and lowers the chest without going all the way into a down.

The moment you see that play-bow shape—even for one second—mark it with:

“Yes!” or “Good Play Bow or maybe Puppy Pose!”

Then reward.

Your Monday Doga Challenge

Tomorrow morning—or sometime today if you’re reading this later—watch your dog before you start giving cues.

Just observe.

How does your dog get up?

How does your dog stretch?

Does your dog extend the front legs?

Arch the back?

Reach?

Turn?

Shake?

Then try one gentle yoga movement yourself.

You might discover that your four-legged workout partner has been demonstrating stretches for you all along.

And I Found Another Dog-and-Wellness Creator

While exploring other creators, I recently came across Yoga Dog Training.

The description immediately caught my attention: a dog trainer who enjoys talking about pets, animals, health and wellness.

Dog training?

Yoga Dog Training I'm a dog trainer who loves to talk about pets & animals and health & wellness. Subscribe to my newsletter. Subscribe​

Pets?

Animals?

Health?

Wellness?

Hello. We might have a few things in common.

I subscribed to the newsletter because I’m interested in seeing his approach and learning more about the work he’s doing.

One thing I’m really enjoying about discovering other creators is realizing that growing a community doesn’t have to mean competing with people doing related work.

Sometimes it means finding the people whose work overlaps with yours, learning from one another, recommending useful resources and helping more people—and more dogs—live healthier, happier lives.

That’s something I’d like to do a lot more of.

For today, though, find your dog.

Watch that first big stretch.

And see if you can spot a little yoga happening right in front of you.

One foot. One paw. One stretch at a time.

Happy and healthy tail-wagging day,

Pam & Freedom