How to Be a Good Handler for Your Pets
Handlers are not doms who yank the leash. They are nurturing partners who help their puppy let out their inner doggo or kitty. If you are a person who is ready to commit to this lifestyle, this article might point you in the right direction of developing your potential as a pup trainer.
What Is Animal Play?
This is an umbrella term for the variety of fetishes that have been growing in popularity. They can come in many different styles, and communities may differ wildly, but the gist stays the same. Animal play, aka pet play, involves getting into a headspace of an animal and taking on its persona. Then there is the handler or owner to take care of you.
For example, in kitten play, one person adopts the personality of a cat. They wear cat-themed accessories and practice cat-like behavior like meowing, purring, and playfulness. On the other hand, their owners take care of them, pet them, feed them, and discipline them.
Different kinds of animal play gravitate towards the general style of the respective animal. For instance, in kitten play, cats are usually women, and it is all more tactile and fluffy. On the other hand, pup play commonly involves training and can get rough.
There’s also pony play, in which people like to be saddled while others ride them. Carts and chariots might even get involved. Other honorable mentions are bunny play and pig play. Basically, if there’s an animal you like, you can turn it into a fetish.
Why Handlers Are Important
The role of a handler might seem less prominent when compared to their boisterous pet counterpart. However, they are vital members of the animal play dynamic. In the intimate space, they help their partners grow as pups or kittens, and in social groups, they are pillars of the community.
The pet owner’s primary role is to help their partner get into the animal’s headspace. The most obvious technique is to dress them appropriately and put on the right gear. That tends to be a highly ritualized practice and may hold symbolic meaning. In many cases, when a handler puts on a collar onto their pet, it symbolizes their union and bond.
There are not many occasions to dress up and puff! That’s why they’re pets. Handlers train them through various triggers which help the transformation process in their mind. They also provide a system of rewards and punishments to develop and strengthen their pet persona. In this way, the immersion into a different personality is deeper, and thus pet play fantasy comes into reality.
Training
Before we dive deeper into the topic of training, we have to mention consent. Pet play is for two or more consenting adults. Both partners need to communicate their wants and needs and what they hope to gain from pet play. All parties involved discuss in advance any introduction of new elements.
That is especially important for the handler as they are the leading role in the relationship. They should be attentive to their pet’s needs and limitations.
Training has two principles. You award desirable and sanction or punish undesirable behavior. How these two principles manifest depends on the agreement between the pet and their handler.
The Award system is relatively easy and intuitive. When you think your pet deserves it, you give them a treat or positive reinforcement for good behavior. By treats, we mean food that your pet likes as a human too. Don’t give them dog food or cat food — that could be dangerous. Give them sweets, cookies, cold cuts, etc.
Don’t overdo it with treats — sometimes, being affectionate is more important. Give them compliments, pet them, scratch their sweet spot, and if both of you are in the mood, it can lead to role-playing or steamy, kinky sex.
On the other hand, discipline can be in the form of a stern reprimand, or it can get physical. A series of lashes or spanking might be in order. Some pets end up being caged and locked until they improve their attitude.
How Many Pets Can You Have?
There are no strict rules here, as the social aspect of pet handling is diverse. The golden norm is that a pet has one handler. Sometimes, they belong to several handlers or none. In these cases, pets enjoy other pets’ company, or they are on the lookout for a new owner.
There is a special ceremony of putting a collar on your pet. That way, pets and masters declare their special bond. That is important as the pet needs to feel security and trust. If the owner wants to train or have other pets, it is all right as long as all parties are informed. Of course, all members of the community should be ok with it.
Being a handler is rewarding, but it takes much energy. In case you end up taking care of a pack or a kitty litter, you should be careful not to spread yourself thin. Try to dedicate equal amounts of attention to every pet, and be sure to satisfy their needs.
Earn Your Respect
If you are a handler, your pet should respect you. However, if you’re a trainer looking for a new pet, you shouldn’t grab the first pup or kitty you stumble upon. You should try and establish respect and trust first.
Imagine seeing a majestic Doberman in the park. You wouldn’t go chasing after it right away — you would try to develop trust first. The same goes for your human pets. Try to intuitively see what their animal persona is like and how to approach them.
Being able to read your pet, and to make them respect you is not for the sheer kicks of being a dom. You will be responsible for the happiness of your pet. You will be able to train them and mold them into better puppies and kitties. To do this, they need to trust you and respect you.
Once you and your pet have grown in trust and mutual respect, you can work on your desires and fantasies. Your pets might be the cutest and sexiest human animals, but you are the ones who hold the keys to fulfillment.