Give Your Puppy a Calm, Confident, Well-Balanced Body for Life!
A 4-week online programme of playful, puppy-safe movement games that protect growing joints, build confidence and focus, and gently prevent problems before they ever begin.
After more than a decade helping dogs recover from pain and injury, my deepest purpose is guiding puppies to grow strong, balanced, and worry-free - so we prevent the problems I see every day in the clinic.
YogaPups is where veterinary physiotherapy, gentle movement, and deep love for puppies come together to give your little one the best possible start.
Meet Ansi van der Walt
Veterinary Physiotherapist • Puppy Development Specialist • Founder of K9Yoga & YogaPups
“I see, every day, what happens when puppies don’t get the right kind of movement early on.”
I’m Ansi, a veterinary physiotherapist who spends most of my clinical days helping dogs recover from injuries, chronic pain, and movement problems that quietly began when they were very young.
Again and again, I meet lovely, caring owners who did their very best—walks, play, classes - only to find out years later that some of those early habits were too much, too soon, or simply not right for a growing body.
I created YogaPups so we don’t have to wait for problems before we act. Instead, we can support puppies with gentle, science-based movement from the very beginning -building strong joints, healthy patterns, and calm, confident brains while everything is still soft and flexible.
My heart is in education and empowerment. I never want you to feel judged or scared, only supported, informed, and confident that you’re doing what’s truly best for your puppy’s long-term comfort and happiness.
The YogaPups 4-Week Online Programme
YogaPups is a gentle, hybrid programme for puppies and young dogs that combines self-paced online lessons with weekly live Zoom meetings—turning everyday life into safe, purposeful play and supporting healthy bodies, calm minds, and confident behaviour.
Across 4 weeks, you’ll learn simple movement games and daily habits that:
- Build balance, body awareness, and safe strength without overloading growing joints.
- Encourage calm focus instead of frantic, over-aroused play.
- Teach your puppy how to move well—turning wobbly chaos into coordinated confidence.
- Show you exactly which exercises are right for this age, which to avoid for now, and why.
Most activities take just 5–10 minutes and fit easily into mealtimes and play. You’ll know how much is enough, how to adapt for your puppy, and how to keep things kind, safe, and fun—for both of you.
By the end of 4 weeks, you’ll notice:
- Healthier movement patterns and better coordination.
- Stronger, better-supported joints, tendons, and muscles.
- A puppy who can settle more easily after excitement.
- Improved focus and self-control during training and daily life.
- A deeper, more trusting bond as you move and explore together.
Most importantly, you’ll feel clear and confident that you’re not over-exercising or missing something vital in this precious growth stage.
What You Get Inside the 4-Week YogaPups Programme
Everything is designed to be simple, gentle, and realistic for real life—with maximum impact during this once-in-a-lifetime growth window.
Your 4-week guided journey includes:
4 weekly themes that build on each other: foundation balance, body awareness, calm strength, and confident movement.
Short, clear video lessons showing exactly how to play each game with your puppy.
Step-by-step weekly plans so you always know what to do, what to avoid, and how to adapt for your puppy.
Simple home integration ideas - use mealtimes, short walks, and everyday moments for gentle, growth-friendly movement.
Access to community support, where you can ask questions, share wins, and get reassurance from Ansi and other puppy parents.
This isn’t about perfection or strict routines. It’s about making the most of a short, powerful window of growth—so your puppy’s body and brain are set up for a lifetime of easier movement and calmer behaviour.
This window only happens once. Puppyhood growth plates will close, habits will set, and you can’t rewind this stage later. The cost of gentle prevention now is far less—emotionally and financially—than rehab after injury or years of strain.
Join now, start gently, and know you’ve done something truly loving and proactive for your puppy’s future.
Secure checkout • Lifetime access to all materials • Puppy-safe, vet-physio designed
What Other Puppy Parents Are Noticing
Names and stories are shared with permission. Results will look different for every puppy - but the sense of relief is the same.
“Before YogaPups, Milo was all legs and chaos. I worried every time he launched off the furniture. Two weeks in, he suddenly started choosing the calmer games we’d been practising. He moves with so much more control now. I honestly wish I’d had this for my last dog.”
— Sarah & Milo (4-month-old Collie mix)
Latest win: Just joined the adult classes with little Lou after completing the puppy course! Thanks to Ansi’s thoughtful adaptations of the exercises, we’re feeling capable, confident—and most importantly—having a lot of fun!
— Laura & Lou (4-month-old Ridgeback)
“We already went to puppy school, but I still felt unsure about how much exercise was safe. YogaPups finally answered all those nagging ‘am I messing this up?’ questions. Our vet physio commented on how nicely balanced Jasper is for his age—that was such a relief and a huge compliment.”
— Daniel & Jasper (6-month-old Labrador)
“I didn’t realise how much early movement shapes the rest of their life. I’m so grateful I found this now, not when it was too late to change things.”
— Priya & Koda (3-month-old mixed breed)
Questions You Might Be Asking
It’s completely normal to worry about doing the wrong thing. These answers are here to give you clarity, not pressure.
My puppy is very young — is this safe?
Yes. YogaPups was specifically created for young, growing puppies. Every game and habit is designed by a veterinary physiotherapist to be gentle, developmentally appropriate, and joint-friendly. We focus on low-impact balance, body awareness, and calm exploration—not forced stretching, jumping, or long, tiring sessions.
What age is this course for?
YogaPups is ideal for puppies from about 8 weeks to 12 months, with special guidance for the 8 weeks–6 months window when growth plates are most vulnerable. If your dog is slightly older but still a bit wobbly, you’ll still benefit—there are notes throughout on how to adapt exercises for different ages and sizes.
Do I need special equipment?
No special gear is required. We use everyday items you likely already have at home: blankets, cushions, non-slip mats, low steps, and simple household objects. If you do have balance cushions or other equipment, I’ll show you how to use them safely—but they’re absolutely not essential.
What if my puppy is very energetic / very shy?
Both ends of the spectrum are welcome. Energetic puppies learn to channel their enthusiasm into short, focused bursts with proper rest in between. Shy or sensitive puppies benefit from slow, choice-based games that gently build confidence and body awareness. For each exercise, I offer ways to dial things up or down so your individual puppy feels safe and successful.
How much time do I need each day?
Most families spend around 5–10 minutes once or twice a day, often woven into things you already do—like mealtimes, potty breaks, or short walks. You don’t need long sessions. In fact, with growing puppies, small and often is better than big and rare.
Is this training or exercise?
It’s a gentle blend of both. The focus is on healthy movement patterns and body awareness, but you’ll also see improvements in focus, self-control, and your puppy’s ability to settle. Think of it as movement education for the body and nervous system, rather than traditional obedience drills or cardio exercise.
What if I already go to puppy school?
That’s wonderful—YogaPups complements puppy school beautifully. Most group classes focus on manners and social skills. This programme focuses on how your puppy’s body develops: balance, joint support, coordination, and calm arousal. Many trainers and vets wish more puppies had this foundation alongside their regular classes.
What if I miss a week or fall behind?
Life with a puppy is unpredictable—I’ve designed YogaPups with that in mind. You have ongoing access to all the lessons, so you can pause, revisit, or repeat weeks whenever you need. There is no ‘failing’ the programme; every small step you take still supports your puppy’s long-term health.
Puppyhood Doesn’t Last Forever—And You Can’t Rewind It
To keep the experience personal and supportive, YogaPups runs in small, cohort-based intakes. That means we start together, move through the 4 weeks side by side, and there’s space for your questions to be heard and answered.
- Limited group sizes so I can give thoughtful feedback and support.
- Cohort start dates throughout the year—when doors close, they stay closed until the next intake.
- Guidance tailored to the growth stage your puppy is actually in right now.
Bones, joints, and movement patterns are developing quickly in these early months. You only get one chance at this foundation. Choosing to act now isn’t about panic—it’s about a calm, loving decision to support your puppy while their body and brain are most open to healthy habits.
If enrollment is open as you read this, you’re within a window where joining now can meaningfully change your puppy’s long-term comfort, confidence, and ease of movement.
The Habits You Build Now Become the Body They Live In for Years to Come
You don’t have to guess, hope, or Google your way through this. With gentle, science-based guidance, you can support your puppy’s body and mind in a way that feels loving, calm, and deeply responsible—without being perfect.
YogaPups is here to take away the fear of “doing it wrong” and replace it with clear, gentle steps you can actually enjoy together.
Join the next 4-week YogaPups group and start building a strong, calm, confident foundation—one gentle game at a time.
Have Questions? Get In Touch
If you have any questions about the course, schedule, or whether YogaPups is right for your puppy, we’d love to help. Send us a message and we'll get back to you promptly.
E-Mail: [email protected]
WhatsApp: 083 251 8457