By Claudia Bensimoun. First published in Animal Wellness Magazine – Read the original full feature here.
Can doglates transform your dog’s fitness? This timeless Animal Wellness feature explores dog yoga and Pilates (often called Doglates), blending stretches and balance exercises to boost flexibility, core strength, and stress relief.
Perfect for seniors or anxious pups, doglates fosters bonding and holistic health, but requires vet approval to avoid strain. From guided poses to calming routines, it’s a game-changer for canine wellness—still trending in 2025 with home workouts and specialized classes gaining popularity worldwide.
Below are key highlights from the article, including pros, cons, and tips.
Why Doglates Strengthens Core Muscles and Emotional Well-Being
These Doglates-style exercises can help strengthen your dog’s core muscles, improve his emotional well-being, and even alleviate or prevent specific health issues.
Zulu is a Lab mix who is extremely shy around other dogs and people. Her goal is to build confidence, so she decided to join a Doglates class. If you’re going to strengthen your dog’s body, balance his emotional health, or have fun with him, Doglates might be the answer, and it’s fast becoming a popular activity for pooch parents.
What Is Doglates?
Balance and core muscle strengthening are fundamental to Doglates.
Fitness guru Joseph Pilates developed Pilates for humans by focusing on “core” muscles, including the abdominal muscles around the lower back, hips, pelvic area, and buttocks. All of these support the body’s trunk. As the name suggests, Doglates involves Pilates-style exercises adapted for canines.
“Many of these exercises involve common commands that you might ordinarily teach your dog, such as sit, stand, down-then stand, high five, turn around, or bow,” says Sherri CappaBianca of Rocky’s Retreat Canine Health and Fitness Center. “By using these commands when the dog is on surfaces at different heights, or on unstable surfaces like wobble boards or Pilates balls, you are, in my opinion, considered to be doing ‘dog Pilates’.
“The reason for this is that when a dog is on unstable surfaces, or those of differing heights, he has to work all his core muscles to balance himself. Five to ten minutes of Pilates can really tire a dog out and burn a lot of calories! It’s a great way to keep virtually any dog in shape, but especially athletic or performance dogs. It can help prevent injuries that regularly occur while performing.”
Doglates Examples
Kristie Swan offers a Pilates-style class for dogs at Whiskers University. “I added this class to the curriculum because of the wonderful results I saw with my Chesapeake Bay retriever, who had mild dysplasia in her left hip,” she explains. “I began proactive physical therapy with her, which included a lot of core and rear muscle strengthening. Three years later, the orthopedic vet said she had only very slight laxity on the left side.”
Kristie agrees with Sherri that any physically active canine can benefit from Doglates. “Any dog that runs or jumps should have a strong core, as well as a strong and limber body,” she says. “I see runners out with their dogs, and I want to stop them and ask if they stretch or do any other form of protective physical therapy for their dogs. A torn ACL or other injury can be painful, costly, and time-consuming, but teaching a dog Pilates-like stretches and ball work can help prevent injury. Also, having gone through old age with more than one dog, I know how valuable a strong body and rear legs are for elimination.”
Doglates is also effective for dogs with obesity and arthritic issues, as it helps improve flexibility and strength. These dogs may begin to feel much better after a few classes.
Even some veterinarians suggest that dogs can experience improved balance and coordination, increased suppleness and flexibility, greater range of motion, reduced stress and physical tension, and deeper breathing through Pilates-type exercises.
“Every dog needs core muscle strength to perform in any athletic endeavor,” says veterinarian Dr. David Cox. “It is also essential in older dogs to prevent injury and weakness in the lower back and hind end.”
Another advantage of Doglates is that you can complete exercises at home or at a facility. “The skills that are learned in class can be used in the comfort of your home, so rain or shine, your dog can be exercising, getting stronger and more flexible, and burning calories,” says Mindy Cox (Dr. David Cox’s wife) of Lucky Dog Sports Club.
“The exercises we do using fitness equipment can help with balance, flexibility, body awareness, increased strength, and better overall health,” she adds. “It’s perfect for both the canine athlete as well as the couch potato.”
Dogs who do Doglates also enjoy increased confidence. “When dogs experience something new in a safe environment, and succeed at it, it builds confidence,” Mindy says. “People see that new confidence, and it encourages them to do more with their dogs. It’s great for almost any dog who is healthy, or has clearance from his or her veterinarian.”
What Can Doglates Do for Your Dog?
Doglates offers a wide range of benefits for dogs of all ages and activity levels, helping improve balance and core strength while calming stressed or aggressive dogs through focused, low-impact exercises. It boosts confidence in shy dogs by providing safe challenges that lead to success, and supports dogs with degenerative conditions such as arthritis or hip dysplasia by enhancing flexibility and reducing pain.
Additionally, Doglates improves a dog’s overall range of motion, supports injury prevention and rehabilitation, increases positive energy and mental stimulation, promotes longer, more toned muscles, and strengthens abdominal muscles for better posture and stability.
Doglates for Emotional Well-Being
Doglates is also very effective in combating canine depression and stress and in reducing aggression. “We’ve worked with a couple of aggressive dogs and have seen results in about six weeks, working with them two to three times a week,” says Sherri. “Pilates-type exercises are very mentally stimulating because dogs have to focus so intently on what they’re doing, just to stay on the ball or wobble board. These exercises definitely boost confidence, so they will also help fearful dogs.
“Since Doglates is physically and mentally demanding, dogs get tired and settle down very quickly,” Sherri continues. “Any time you give your dog high-quality exercise like this, I believe you can relieve stress. Humans get a high after a good workout, and dogs experience the same thing. I believe this is part of what relieves stress and ultimately changes behavior. And because you’re directing and helping your dog through an exercise program, you’re strengthening the bond between you.”
Most dogs enjoy Doglates, according to Mindy. “My own dogs love to do the exercises and use the equipment,” she says. “I have high drive and high energy dogs, and after a fitness session, they are all tired and content, so it’s a great energy burner!”
Getting Started with Doglates
A growing number of canine sports facilities and wellness centers are offering forms of Doglates. Kristie recommends seeking an instructor who can evaluate the canine body. “For example, my instructor at Whiskers University is a certified canine rehabilitation specialist and masseuse.”
“Before starting, check with your veterinarian,” she advises. “If your dog has an issue such as a luxating patella, special considerations and exercises may be necessary.”
Dogs who have never done this form of exercise before should not be pushed. “Start slow and build up,” Kristie recommends. “The balls don’t come into play until each dog is evaluated and floor exercises have been taught – usually partway through the second class for us. During the first class, people are taught about their dogs’ individual physicality (as well as canine structure in general) and how to do stretches – what to watch out for and how to adjust.”
As an exercise/conditioning program, Pilates is as suitable for dogs as it is for us. It focuses on strengthening core muscle groups to improve balance and conditioning. Using various types of equipment, your dog will improve his balance, body awareness, flexibility, and muscle strength. He’ll learn new skills and burn off calories, all while having fun. Doglates provides mental stimulation and physical activity, a combination that can’t be beat!
2026 Update: Doglates Trends and Home Tips
In 2026, Doglates (or canine Pilates) remains a beloved low-impact trend, with more online tutorials, FitPAWS-certified trainers, and even “puppy Pilates” events popping up globally. It’s especially popular for senior dogs and rehabilitation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Doglates (Canine Pilates)
1. What is Doglates, and how does it differ from regular dog exercise?
Doglates is a canine adaptation of human Pilates, focusing on core strengthening, balance, and flexibility through low-impact exercises. It uses commands such as sit, stand, bow, or high five on unstable surfaces (e.g., wobble boards, Pilates balls) to engage the deep abdominal, back, hip, and pelvic muscles.
Unlike regular walks or play, Doglates targets stabilizing muscles to improve posture, prevent injuries, and promote emotional calm—ideal for athletic dogs, seniors, and those recovering from conditions such as hip dysplasia.
2. Is Doglates safe for senior dogs or those with arthritis/hip dysplasia?
Yes, when vet-approved and started gently. Doglates improves flexibility, range of motion, and muscle tone without high impact, helping alleviate pain from arthritis or dysplasia. Experts like Kristie Swan saw dramatic improvements in her Chesapeake Bay Retriever’s mild hip dysplasia through consistent core work.
3. Can Doglates help with my dog’s anxiety, aggression, or shyness?
Absolutely—one of its most significant benefits is emotional well-being. The mental focus required (balancing on equipment) tires dogs out quickly, reduces stress, and builds confidence. Facilities reported calmer, more aggressive dogs in 6 weeks and boosted self-esteem in shy dogs like Zulu, the Lab mix. It also strengthens the human-dog bond through guided sessions.
4. What equipment do I need to start Doglates at home?
Basic setups include inflatable Pilates balls (peanut-shaped for stability), wobble boards, or household items such as cushions. Start with floor stretches before unstable surfaces. Classes teach proper form, but home practice is easy once learned. Brands like FitPAWS offer dog-specific gear.
5. How long are Doglates sessions, and how often should we do them?
Sessions typically last 5–20 minutes—short but intense, as core work tires dogs quickly (and burns calories efficiently). Beginners: 2–3 times/week; advanced/athletic dogs: daily. Build gradually to avoid strain. Combine with walks for balanced fitness.
6. Where can I find Doglates classes or certified instructors?
Look for canine fitness centers, rehabilitation specialists, or facilities such as Rocky’s Retreat, Whiskers University, or Lucky Dog Sports Club. In 2025, search “canine Pilates classes near me” or check FitPAWS-certified trainers. Online tutorials are available for home starters, but in-person is best for evaluation.