In the ever-evolving BDSM and Leather community, a strong shift has started in the scene in the second decade of the 21st century, featuring a severe and abrupt sprint ahead in the generational gaps. New generations started to drive the market, and the strongest impact was the one given by the puppy play scene. Stemming initially from the world of K9 & Dog Training, Puppy Play has gained considerable popularity in recent years. But what are the differences between Dog Training in Leather, and today’s Puppy Play scene?

Table of Contents

• K9, Dog Training, Puppy Play: an overview
  • K9
  • Dog Training
  • Puppy Play
• The rise of Puppy Play
• K9 and Primal Fetish
• Animal behavior and Identity
• Conclusions
• FAQs

K9, Dog Training, Puppy Play: an Overview.

k9, dog training, puppy play. These terms are well-known to most of us in the BDSM scene. Yet, in the past, these topics used to be appealing and of use of a small niche inside the vast world of fetish.

It is pretty common that Masters and dominants in general enjoy the objectification or dehumanization of their subs and slaves, and sometimes make them behave like animals or, in other more intense cases, train them as animals. This is of course, like all the time in BDSM, when there is full consent and pleasure for both parties.

Staying on all fours, moving and barking like dogs, peeing with a leg lifted, eating from a bowl, licking hands and feet, playing ball… and so on. We all get the picture, or, we think we do. In fact, this kind of “play” is today commonly intended as a temporary role-playing game, which stands in the fields of consensual humiliation play for some, or regression play for others. But as with everything in BDSM, Dog Training can be something limited to a session, or it can be a real vocation of a sub. It’s at the Master’s discretion and wisdom to understand what kind of subject He is training.

But while K9 Fetish, Dog Training, and Pup Play all incorporate elements of canine behavior, they differ in their focus, intensity, and dynamics.

K9

K9 Fetish revolves around the identification as one’s nature of being characterized by human-dog dynamics and incorporates various aspects of dog behavior into BDSM and Leather practices. It often involves a deep level of commitment and intensity, in which during active time, the person fully identifies with the animal. This fetish can encompass activities such as obedience training, leash and collar play, pet play, and more when shared with a partner (Master of Handler). It doesn’t often involve the use of gear and accessories to enhance the experience, because the facts are sufficiently real not to need any additional gear or camouflage. K9 Fetish typically involves a higher level of intensity, power exchange, and is not necessarily always sexual.

Dog Training

Dog training, within the context of BDSM and Leather, refers to the act of training a submissive partner to adopt dog-like behaviors and obedience. It is a specific aspect of power exchange dynamics where the dominant partner (the “Trainer” or “Master”) assumes the role of the dog trainer, while the submissive partner (the “Trainee” or “Dog”) takes on the role of the dog. The focus of dog training is primarily on teaching and reinforcing behaviors and commands that mimic those of a trained dog. This may include tasks like responding to verbal commands, performing tricks or tasks, following leash guidance, and displaying appropriate dog-like behavior. Dog training in BDSM and Leather can vary in intensity, ranging from casual and playful to more structured and disciplined dynamics.

Puppy Play

Puppy Play is rarely a form of role-playing, and more often a popular (and often polluted) trend within the BDSM and Leather community where individuals adopt the persona of a playful pup. Oftentimes, the characteristics of the persona serve the purpose of reinforcing the preferences of the pup himself, rather than implying the need for discipline or the presence of a Master whatsoever. It is often seen as a lighter, more recreational version of dog training and tends to focus on the enjoyment and exploration of the pup persona rather than strict obedience training or an identity-based lifestyle. Puppy Play strongly involves elements such as wearing pup gear (such as hoods, mitts, and tails), engaging in social interactions with other pups and handlers, and participating in pup-related events and activities. It seems to also involve a lot of social media, almost as if the digital life of the puppies is somewhat part of the experience. Pup Play emphasizes the emotional pleasure of allowing individuals to embrace their playful, carefree, and instinctual side.

There is also an interesting article by Vice that argues how “young gay people” live this kind of experience like a fun and not so committing way to explore a little bit o kink, “just because”.

The Rise of Pup Play

In recent years, the commercialization of fetish has led to a surge in interest in puppy play. Pup play is particularly appealing to young gay individuals seeking to explore their kinks while feeling in a comfortable, reassuring and light environment.

In the era of total refusal of structures and rules, and in a society often raised on the “prized for showing up” concept, Pup play has gained a lot of traction as a fun and accessible way to engage in BDSM and fetish practices. It is also an extremely florid market, with tons of colorful gear to sell for the next event to attend to. Up to 2017, finding “Dog Training gear” in adult stores was pretty difficult, as much as it was difficult finding people really into understanding what it is all about. Each shop had one or two dog masks models, a few rubber mittens, some tail plugs maybe, but it have always been some kind of a little (not so commercial worthy) space in the fetish world.

So while Puppy play is a very florid environment for the reinforcement of ego and commercial opportunity, it seems, as reported by many people who are part of that scene, that the sexual and fetishistic aspects are becoming less and less important. Apparently, the activities done by pups are more often the same activities they would engage in normally (such as gaming, enjoying social media, watching movies together, going out for a drink..), with the variable of the gear being sported.

While this is true for a large part of that community, it is important to note that puppy play encompasses a diverse range of interests and levels of commitment. While most participants engage in it purely for recreational purposes, others identify deeply with the pup persona, viewing it as an essential part of their spiritual journey. These individuals would have belonged the K9 and Dog Training scene very easily, in different times.

So there is not just those who want some “let’s take it easy, it’s all a game”; there is actually a community of people that feel and behave like animals each time the opportunity rises.

K9 and Primal Fetish

At the core of K9 Fetish and the most intense versions of Dog Training lies the concept of primal fetish. Primal fetish involves tapping into raw, instinctual, and animalistic emotions. It transcends rational thought and allows individuals to explore their most profound emotional states, including fear, vulnerability, desire, grief, anger and more. During primal play, words may give way to grunts, growls, moans, or even silence.

It’s a raw and unfiltered expression of the animal identity, unburdened by societal norms and sensibilities.

Animal Behavior and Identity

The primal connection to animals reflects the essence of BDSM and Leather culture, which aims to dismantle shallow and dull societal structures and dive deep into the fabric of our nature, which is animal indeed. Whether one identifies as dominant, submissive, or assumes other roles, the primal aspect brings individuals closer to their instinctual nature.

It offers a fascinating world to those who truly understand its intricacies, while also presenting potential risks and challenges. In a world devoid of rules, words, contracts, and societal norms, the need for discipline, protocols, strictness, and structure becomes paramount, ensuring safety within BDSM and Leather practices.

So let’s start with a general definition:

It starts from or it gets to a place where the feelings are primary – pure, raw, animal emotions, sensation and/or instinct. It could be fear, vulnerability, desire, grief, or any profound emotional state. I want to get to a place where words are gone– there may be grunting, growling, moaning, nonsense syllables crying or silence; maybe even all of above. “Primal” applies, as per Merriam Webster, in a way that’s raw, past rational thought, animalistic, instinctual. It’s pure, core, raw emotion without a lot of the sensibility and good training that gets layered over that.

(…)

If we start with the basic definition above, then we can think of primal play in the kink context as getting to a place where the masks of our civilized selves can fall away and we can act on our urges more directly, letting ourselves really play, give over to our feelings and impulses. These can be raw, rough sexual feelings, but they could also be joy, silliness, deep feelings of love and intimacy, feelings of deep tenderness, even sadness and grief. “Primal” doesn’t necessarily have to mean “rough”; it’s more a matter of being raw and unfiltered, whatever the feelings are.

Source: Allo Health Care

Again, you can see how this goes straight back to what I have written about what truly BDSM is about: killing all the artificial society super structures, and going back to the basics of what we feel, who we are. Dominant, submissive, Big Bad Wolf, little kittens, guard dogs, executors, wild sluts, torturers, fathers and sons… . It is a very fascinating world once you get to know people who really know what they’re doing and what they’re into. And it can be quite scary or dangerous too, if handled without care and rules. In a world were rules, words, contracts and society doesn’t exist anymore, what can be safe? Where can you go without being afraid of not coming back anymore, also emotionally speaking? That is exactly why there is the strong need of Discipline, Protocols, Strictness and Structure that also Old Guard Leather teaches. These things are necessary because without them, BDSM wouldn’t be safe.

FAQs