Pup Play 101: Welcome
Welcome to the Pup Play 101 guide.
This simple guide is aimed at teaching you the basics covering things like ‘what is pup play’, where can I buy pup play gear, how to find pup play groups, plus the lingo and other things you need to know. We’ve kept things simple and easy for you.
Read on if you are looking to understand pup play or to get involved in the pup play community. Once you’re done you’ll have a good understanding of the community, and we’ll link you to where you can find pup play groups, buy gear, and everything else you need to get involved fully!
What is Pup Play?
Pup play is a fun way for people to act like dogs or puppies, and there is a whole community built around it. Those in the pup play community who take on the role of a ‘pup’ might bark, roll around, or pretend to fetch like real dogs. To make it more real, they often wear gear like masks (called pup hoods), tails, and collars. It’s not just about how it looks; it’s also about the feelings involved. In the community many people express how engaging in pup play or simply being a part of the community is freeing, relaxing, fun, and allows them to be more social and less shy. It’s different for everyone, but what brings everyone together is their love to enjoy acting like a pup, or looking after a pup (more on that below).
What is a pup, what is a handler, and other common terms used in the community:
Pups
Pups are the people take on the role of ‘a pup/dog’, and therefore usually act like a puppy dog. Most will also have a pup name, usually Pup + a name special to them. For example Pup Max or Pup Rex. Yours can be like this or different.
Handlers
Handlers in the pup play community means the people who take care of pups, like a pet owner. Handlers might also use the term owner, master, or another title instead.
Pack (Pup Pack)
A pack is a group of pups and handlers that hang out or play together. Packs usually also have an alpha pup and/or other leader. An alpha pup is the leader of the pup pack, but there may be a leader above them also.
Pup Gear
Pup gear refers to the various clothing, accessories, and items that people in the community wear that is made for or compliments the appearance of a pup. For an example, see the image at the top of this page for a puppy wearing a blue and white pup hood, white collar, and various other accessories and a custom suit.
Pictured: Here’s an example of pup gear some people wear. The two pups in this photo are wearing custom pup hoods, as well as collars, and some motocross clothing and other accessories.
Petsuit
A petsuit is an optional and usually more expensive custom item one typically may get after spending more time in the pup community. Petsuits are custom tight fitting one piece suits that are made to match the colors of one’s pup hood and other gear, or to look like the fur of a dog (i.e. a high quality costume). The pup in the photo at the top of this page is wearing a custom petsuit, but it’s made to match his pup hood rather than look like the fur of a dog.
Pup Meet
A pup meet is a social meetup where members of the pup community come together, usually in person. This can be for an event or social gathering, just with a different name and the presence of pups in pup gear. Pup meets can be at bars, private venues, someone’s house, outside, or anywhere else. If you want to attend a pup meet to meet people in person, you should join a local pups and handlers group. Read on to learn more.
Pups and Handlers (PAH for short)
The collective term within the community that refers to everyone. It’s our version of ‘ladies and gentlemen’. When looking to find pup play groups, you will see most groups have the acronym PAH in their name.
How to Start with Pup Play: Getting involved
- Learn from this site and from others
Read about pup play and talk to people who are already involved. To learn the basics, read the rest of this page and then explore the other pages on this site, or go straight to joining a group. Everything you need to know, or want to see is on here.
2. Decide on a name (if you’re a pup or want a different name to go by).
For pups, the typical name format for a pup is ‘Pup’ + their first name in real life, or another dog or similar name they like. Previous examples from earlier were Pup Max and Pup Rex.
For handlers, it’s the same too – usually Handler + your first real life name.
When you join a pup play group, you’ll typically be asked what your pup or handlers name is, so it’s good to have one ready. If you are unsure, you can use your real life name and decide later.
3. Join In
The best way to get involved is to first find a local pups and handlers group near you (we’ve included a link to a worldwide list of groups at the bottom of the page for you when you’re done reading). From there you can join a group, say hello and interact online, and find out when the next pup meet is. You can then attend a meet in person to meet others and experience the community in person, if you like (we recommend it)! Meets may be free to attend, or require a donation, or ticket. All expectations and info are announced with the meet, or you can ask the event organizer for more info.
4. Get Some Pup Gear & Accessories
You don’t have to have gear before you rock up in person to a meet, but it’s a good chance to wear it in a space surrounded by others who do to and you’ll feel like you fit in easier – you will also have more opportunities to interact with other pups and people by trying out your role or with role-playing (if you want to).
The most common starting piece of gear for beginners, and the first piece of gear most people get is a pup hood. A pup hood can help you try out the role of a pup. Pup gear can get expensive like most interests, so to start yourself off get yourself something decently made, and not too expensive. We have links to pup hoods and gear on our site – links at the bottom of this page. And for those who are looking at the handler/owner role, or are unsure and just want to attend – you can wear other gear you might have or none at all.
5. Try It Out and Experiment
Play around with different parts of pup play to see what you like. The best way to see what you like is to try and explore and get involved at a pup meet or event. Try the role of a pup, try the role of a handler, or just stand by and chat with some of your new friends as you want others take more involved roles at meets. If you can’t meet up or aren’t ready yet, you can still interact with others online.
The Importance of Consent and Communication
Consent and communication are paramount in pup play, as they are in all social situations in real life and online groups. For beginners, here’s what you should know:
- Online: Ask to message people privately in DMs before doing so, and be respectful to others.
- In person: Be respectful. Don’t pull on the tails that pups wear, this can hurt or otherwise just be rude. Before touching someone acting as a pup (e.g. usually down on all fours), ask that pup first. Some pups may also have an owner or handler, much like a real dog would – ask them first if you can pet the human pup. Consider the same type of rules you would for a real animal – ask before touching, pat gently, stick to the arms, back, hands (we call them ‘paws’ in the community) and head. These rules exist because it’s rude not to ask, you aren’t meant to touch people without consent (they are still humans remember!) and the extra rules are way the community works. Some have extra structure and hierarchy. If you are ever unsure, the best think you can do is ask that person or ask someone.
Is there any sexual aspects to the pup play community?
It’s important to note that pup play does not inherently involve sexual activities. For many, it is a form of emotional release and a way to express another side of their personality, and fun.
However, like many forms of role-play, it can have a sexual component depending on the participants’ preferences. If in doubt, ask, and make sure to tell people your boundaries. However in most cases you won’t be in such a situation.
In simple terms for beginners, things generally work as follows:
- Online groups: Public or private pups and handler groups are usually non-sexual. They are simply online groups of likeminded people with similar interests, just like any other community or group. If there is any sexual aspects, this is usually in a separate group or place and there will be notices that say as such. While starting off, if you join a Facebook local pups and handlers group, it’s highly unlikely to be sexual. If you join social groups on other platforms, they may or may not be sexual – again the rules and info will inform you.
- Online public spaces and other places online: It will depend where you are looking. If you want non-sexual places to explore, go for Facebook, Instagram, and other places that don’t allow sexual content. If you want to see the spicy/sexual side of things, look around on X/Twitter, and the ‘spicy’ section on our site. Remember, sexual aspects are optional and are not required to take part in the community.
- In person: Local pup meets aren’t sexual unless it is explicitly stated in the event information. For your first pup meet, it’s most likely going to be announced in the local Facebook/social group you join, and will have many other pups and handlers and people attend, and be like any other regular social event (with the added pups and gear and fun) – not sexual. Some meetups or events may be sexual, this will be stated and usually take place at someone’s house or a special venue. You do not have to attend these or take part in any sexual aspects of the community. Plenty do and plenty don’t – do what makes you comfortable.
Conclusion
Pup play is a niche but growing vibrant and accepting community, just like many others, and is a great way to explore a different side of yourself, meet new friends, and just have a good time. Whether you’re looking for a way to unwind or a new social activity, pup play might be perfect for you. Regardless, dive in with an open mind, and you may find a rewarding new dimension to your life.
Next steps
If you are interested in making the leap to go from just reading this Pup Play 101 guide, to joining, lurking, or attending to see what it’s all about, here’s where you can go from here:
- Find a local pup play group to join (also called pups and handlers groups)
- Explore online pup play groups and communities (both SFW and NSFW)
- Browse puppy gear and apparel. See what you might like and what others wear
- Got more questions? Read the Pup Play FAQ page.