What roles are there in Puppy Play?

In Puppy Play, it is not necessary to acquire a role to enjoy it, although the most common roles are:

• Dog: They focus on the personality of a dog, such as barking and staying on all fours.
• Pup: They take Puppy Play to the maximum, entering a Head Space state, forgetting their human self and focusing on living Puppy Play and letting their inner pup take over.
• Alpha: They are the most dominant, aggressive, and authoritative Pups. They tend to be pack leaders, but also take care of the dogs within the pack. Within the pup hierarchy, they are in charge just after the master. They decide how and when to play, with whom... within the pack. They assert themselves physically and socially over other Pups. Of course, the line between authority and authoritarianism should never be crossed.
• Beta: Considered the standard level within the pup community. They establish a middle ground between domination and submission. Betas are the ones who usually interact and play with other Pups, but do not hesitate to scold if they don't like something. They are Pups who enjoy social contact, interacting with people, and are very playful. Betas make up the bulk of a pack and keep it together, so it is always important to have a good relationship among the Betas. Additionally, within the Betas, their own rules and power relationships can be established.

• Omega: This type of Pup is not common and represents the highest level of submission within Puppy Play. Their dependence on the master and/or alpha is total, resembling a slave in the BDSM world, although the Omega always shows their canine side, differentiating themselves from BDSM. Omegas tend to show insecurity and fear when entering Head Space, so they tend to seek protection from the more dominant pack members.
• Service Pup: These are the Pups responsible for caring for and keeping their pack together. They are very helpful and always try to assist other members of their pack, which can sometimes lead to authoritarian moments to avoid conflicts or to mediate them. They must be Pups with a lot of empathy, capable of advising and mediating among others. They are socially easy to follow and very willing to help others.

   

Handlers, masters, and owners

Although the terms "Handler," "Master," and "Owner" have different specifications, they are used interchangeably because they share a common goal: to be a guide for the pup, providing guidance and protection. The best characteristics that every handler, master, or owner should have are love, honesty, and sincerity. Each of us is different and has different ways of seeing and doing things. This does not mean that one is a good or bad handler, master, or owner, or that there is only one way to do things. For Puppies Mx, being a handler, master, or owner means adoring and admiring the pup under their care. Just like with biopets, strong bonds can be formed that will last forever and never be forgotten. Anyone can become a handler, master, or owner as long as they are willing to lead their pup down the right path in life. Headspace is different for each pup and each owner. Like pups, handlers also enter their own headspace to perform their functions. When the pup enters their headspace, they act on instinct, while the handler needs to be the voice of reason in any situation. Their focus is on their pup and other pups, as well as monitoring the safety of the play area and anticipating any eventualities. In a Puppy Play session, if a pup does not have an owner and wishes to have someone to care for them, another pup, whether an alpha, beta, omega, among others, can be their handler and take on the duties assigned to a master. This practice is quite common in Puppy circles worldwide.

Psychology

One of the most important functions of an owner is to allow their pup to enter the headspace of a dog and move away from their human side. Safety is paramount at all times. Before any play, the owner must talk to their pup to discuss any physical or mental issues that need to be considered, as well as the type of play to be performed, whether sexual or not, and establish the basis for aftercare. Remember that aftercare includes all the care after play. There are various methods to help the pup enter and exit their headspace, which should be established beforehand. These methods may include hypnosis, keywords, gear that motivates the pup to enter the desired mental state, rituals that facilitate this transition, or simply imitating other pups and imagining being a playful dog, to name a few. Part of the handler's responsibilities is to safely bring the pup out of their headspace. There are many ways to achieve this, such as removing the pup's mask or gear. Questions requiring cognitive thinking can also be used for the pup to respond, such as math operations or any question that does not require a simple "yes" or "no" answer. Part of what is established between the pup and the owner is the best way to bring the pup out of their headspace and when they want to exit. Exiting the headspace and returning to reality can carry emotional weight for the pup because escaping the human side can be relaxing and therapeutic. When breaking from this, care must be taken so that the pup does not become stressed, scared, or feel bad in any way. For this, caresses, kisses, hugs are recommended as ways to relieve the emotional burden mentioned. Some pups enjoy watching TV or playing video games when they exit the headspace. Visit the Puppypledia To be continued...