Dog wellness got the five-star treatment in London last month, as YapYap brought its first Dog Days Retreat to Royal Lancaster London.
Held on Saturday 26th September, the event was billed as London’s first indoor wellness festival designed specifically for dogs and their humans, bringing together expert advice, hands-on workshops, grooming, shopping and plenty of opportunities for dogs and their owners to simply spend time together.
A wellness retreat for dogs
Taking over the Nine Kings Suite at the dog friendly Royal Lancaster London, opposite Hyde Park, Dog Days Retreat was created by YapYap, the London dog community behind regular events including Sunday Dog Social.
Rather than a traditional dog show or shopping event, the retreat focused on wellbeing at both ends of the lead.
Throughout the day, visitors could take part in small-group wellness sessions including guided meditation, canine massage and art therapy with their dogs. Guided by illustrator Definitely Jenny, dogs created their own artwork by licking dog-friendly paste over a covered canvas, leaving their owners with a keepsake to take home.
There was also a Love My Human Grooming Bar, where dogs could enjoy mini glow-ups including brush-outs, nail trims and tidying around the eyes and paws, alongside professional grooming advice.
Talks, treats and plenty to explore
The programme extended beyond the workshops, with talks covering everything from dog nutrition and training to photography, wellbeing and life with a dog in the public eye.
The Dog Nutritionist, Cam Wimble, joined the line-up to answer questions about what our dogs should be eating, while other sessions explored the body and mind of a happy dog and the relationship between dogs, fame and boundaries. Around the retreat, visitors could browse a curated wellness marketplace featuring dog brands and products, stop for a Pet Pawtraits photography session or visit the Sunday Dog Social Pawtini Bar.
Brining London’s dog community together
The event was presented by YapYap with headline partner The Dog Nutritionist, in partnership with Love My Human and Royal Lancaster London. Retreat partners included Barc London, Fi, Hide & Seek London, Scooch and Within Pets.
For YapYap, however, the day was about more than filling a room with dog-friendly brands and activities. It was about creating somewhere dog owners could genuinely spend quality time with their dogs.
We wanted to create a calm, indoor space where London dog parents could slow down with their dogs. Seeing the YapYap community come together at Royal Lancaster London for a day of wellness was exactly why we started this. Dog Days Retreat is what happens when you take dog wellness seriously and still make it fun. Thank you to every partner, expert and dog who made the day what it was. We’re already planning Dog Days Retreat 2027, and we can’t wait to go bigger.”
Dog Days Retreat will return in 2027
The first Dog Days Retreat may be over, but it certainly doesn’t look like it was a one-off.
With YapYap already confirming that planning is underway for Dog Days Retreat 2027 (and promising to go bigger next time) this could be one to add to your dog’s social calendar for next year. We’ll be keeping an eye out for more details when they’re announced.
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