I’m a Puppy…Now What Revisited a Year Later

I’m a Puppy…Now What Revisited a Year Later

October 12, 2016 Off By Alpha Bayard

bayardOne year ago today, I wrote I’m a puppy…now what part one, which detailed my journey into the start of puppy play. I chose to revisit it today because a lot has changed in my life. I’ve moved, I’ve started a pack, I’ve been collared by an amazing Sir. And most importantly I’ve CHANGED. This is important to talk about because as we enter into our journey we can see ourselves in one way and as we develop along the road we take, we become something much more than what we could have ever anticipated.

When I wrote this article a year ago I never would have imagined the notoriety that I have gotten this last year. I didn’t expect to become a teacher, mentor, alpha, or more to so many people in my life.  I have grown over the last year and will continue to grow and learn, and am happy to do so.

I look back at my answers below and see things that I felt in the moment with Mark, who I will again say helped to mold me and make the person I am today in the kink community.  When I posted this article originally I was not sure that it would reach people the way that it has.  The article has been viewed nearly 10,000 times on three websites.  I am humbled by the number of messages I have received over the last year from pups looking to get into pup play and am happy there are places like my site and PupPlay.info available as resources for puppies to come to and grow and learn with us.

Most recently the changes I see are those within myself, I used to think i was more submissive in my life, having felt a submissiveness to my ex-wife, to the first men that I dated, etc. but as I have grown in the community I have found that I tend to have more alpha tendencies, sometimes even more handler tendencies. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoy and need my submissive side, just ask my Sir!!! But as someone who loves to learn, I also love to teach and have worked with many puppies over the last year to introduce them to pup play, headspace, and so much more.

In the last month I have taught classes on So You Think Your a Pup, Non Verbal Communication, and Headspace. I am also working on a class to discuss Social Interaction with the Anxiety Filled Puppy. I have also focused on a big aspect in my life and many of the pups around me, and that is depression and the fact that so many of us have this disease and we are still coming to terms with it in our lives and working on ways to overcome it.

Upcoming articles will include talks about depression, social anxiety, females in pup play, and much much more!

The best thing for you to do is look into the resources available to you, find mentors and pups that feel right on the inside to be around. Don’t rush into anything, collaring, being collared, anything…these things can back fire on you pretty quickly. And just be who you are.

Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter don’t mind.

Dr. Seuss

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Pictured above are Chuck Braidwood, Brian Mailley, and Matty AKA Pup Bayard

What is a puppy?

I get asked this all the time. I found the best answer on www.humanpups.com:
A puppy or dog is a human pet. It can be a male or female who identifies closely with real biological pups/dogs and lets go their human inhibitions and stress to embrace their animal instinct. They live in the moment, their entire existence revolves around getting a pat on the head, being told they are a good puppy, exploring anything and everything that looks interesting or fun, even if it’s sniffing someone in public. A pup/dog may take on the persona of a biological canine to varying degrees from being on all fours chasing balls and barking instead of talking to only taking on the personality of a pup/dog but retaining their human abilities.
For me it’s an emotional place in my head that I can go to and be at peace with myself. I can be free.
I found my inner pup pretty quickly and released it easily, this cannot be said for all pups out there. For some it takes time and patience to get to this place.
How did I start?
I started exploring things and contacted my friend who was a pup.  He directed me to get in touch with his Sir. I contacted him and this was our initial conversation./

Bayard Matty
I mean the first question is how do I become a pup

Mark
What makes you feel like that is who you are? Describe what/who a pup is to you.

Bayard Matty
somewhat submissive, if not fully, the feeling if being petted, hair scratched, etc is majorly appealing. The feeling of being a pet makes me happy. I think that’s what I’m trying to say.
Mark
Nicely said.
Bayard Matty
I feel like as a sub obeying the command given is important as in training my dog vic at home
Mark
So you have a dog? What kind?
Bayard Matty
Pit bull mix, I’m a foster daddy

Mark
Excellent. Think about Vic… What is the natural instinct of him? What is the nature of him? And most dogs, for that matter.

Bayard Matty
Starts off wild and free, needs to be trained, sometimes forced into submission to understand rules. Obedient once fully trained. Playful and loyal
Mark
I would say, trained or not, a puppy is, like you said, playful and loyal. They also show unconditional love. Would you agree?
Bayard Matty
Yes. Very much so…
Mark
Submission and obedience is owner specific. Agreed?
Bayard Matty
Yes. You asked for my opinion on my pup
Mark
So let’s now look at the nature of who you are. Do you find your self to be a person of unconditional love, loyalty, playfulness…
Bayard Matty
Yes, definitely…

Mark

Do you feel a sense of service?

Bayard Matty
Service to those around me? Of wanting to please?

Mark

Service can mean a lot of things, that’s true. Service to community service to people service to friends. What does it mean to you

Bayard Matty
Depends on the situation honestly. You named it. Community, helping others around me, volunteering at affirmations, etc. People, taking care of them both in good times and bad. Friends, just loyalty is key. Family unconditional love.
Mark
So let’s say you are at an event where there are a variety of human pups. Would you be a pup who would rather play with a bunch of other pups in a mosh pit?
Bayard Matty
Depends on the mood of the pups around, I would have to feel them out first. Explore, especially in a first time environment
Mark
What appeals to you most about being a pup
Bayard Matty
The thought of being ones pet…i dont know how to describe that feeling. Being owned, being there for them, bringing enjoyment, while playing at the same time
Mark
You certainly fill The role of a pup quite well, if you don’t mind me saying so.

Bayard Matty

The thought of sitting at someone’s feet while they play with my hair and pet my back makes me happy. Showing them love and affection back through my actions whether through playfulness, or through whatever way I’m told appeals to me. Can a pup be a switch?
Mark
Yes.
Bayard Matty
I was told I was a switch

Mark
Being a pup is so much more that submission and obedience.

Bayard Matty
I prefer submissiveness, but sometimes a dominant side comes out. I’m just saying, i know there’s soooo much more which is why I’m asking questions

Mark

Never feel like you have to submit to someone just because you’re a pup. You don’t submit to a Sir just because he’s a Sir. Show a Sir respect and station.

Bayard Matty

Explain station.

Mark
Respect is obvious. Station means how you address a Sir. Using his title of Sir in responses and requests, etc… Make sense?

Bayard Matty

So I should end my statements to you in sir, sir

Mark
I typically prefer it in responses. “Yes Sir” “No Sir”. Not after every message.

Bayard Matty
Yes sir. So how do I find a sir?

Mark

What kind of Sir are you looking for?

Bayard Matty

Based on my answers so far what kind hold I be looking for? What kinds are there? As you can tell I’m inquisitive. I need a full understanding.

Mark

I’d say we are all somewhat different. Highly dominant? Leader? Friend? Mentor? I can tell you the kind of Sir I am and am not.

Bayard Matty

What if I want someone who is a little of all of that

Mark

Some Sirs would hold your collar and bond you to him and no other. Some would allow you to still be with whomever you want except when you’re with him.

Bayard Matty

Not too dominant, but knows when to put me in my place, definitely more of a leader, a mentor, and someone who is a friend. I want some freedom, but I still want to be controlled.

Mark

Nice.

Bayard Matty

Where do I find a sir like that?

Mark

There are a few around. Age preference?

Bayard Matty

Older than me, but not too old. I look rather young.

Mark
Preference to distance from you?

Bayard Matty

Not too far as I’m learning but I can travel within reason…do you have a sir in mind?

Mark

In Michigan? Surrounding States as well?

Bayard Matty

Prob mi

Mark

For me, I request that a pup ask for me to consider being his Sir. What if your Sir has multiple pups or boys?

Bayard Matty

That doesn’t bother me, i grew up with 4 brothers. Are you taking on new pups sir?

Mark

Yes.

Bayard Matty

Would you consider a new pup sir?

Mark

I certainly think you need mentorship before jumping into a relationship with a Sir. Might be a better place for us to start.

Bayard Matty
Very understandable. Will you be my mentor sir?

Mark

I’d be honored to be your guide and mentor.

 

This is where I decided 100% that I was finally ready to enter the pupdom community and flew into it head first!!
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About The Author

Bayard started out publicly in pup play in July of 2016, privately 3.5 years ago. He has written articles on pup play on multiple websites including his own, paw street. *Nominee for good puppy of the year 2016 at International Puppy Contest. *Member of Titans of the Midwest. Education and Programming Committee *Communications Director of Chicago Puppy Patrol. *Public Relations Chair Person of Road Otters. *Staff Writer/Reporter at Great Lakes Den *Finalist for 2017 Cynthia Slater Non-Fiction Article Award from National Leather Association - International

2 Comments

  • Anonymous says:
    December 5, 2017 at 5:08 pm

    4.5

  • PupToothless says:
    October 12, 2016 at 4:32 am

    Thank you thank you thank you for this awesome article!! As a new pup it’s always comforting to hear what others have gone through to get where they are! It gives me a bit of a guide on how to do things as I discover myself more and more in this community ☺️

Comments are closed.