Are you doing Pup right?

            Ever want to join a pup mosh, but scared you are doing it wrong? Are you scared to be judged for what you are wearing? Are you thinking that you don’t know anyone in the mosh pit? There is no correct way to be a puppy, there is no correct way to mosh and there is nothing that says what to wear during certain events. The point of being a puppy is being free and true to yourself.

A pup new to the community will go through experiences that will help discover the inner pup within. However, the biggest opportunity for the pup is to keep an open mind. Mentors can be a great way to help you on your journey as a pup, just make sure they are a mentor that will not force their opinions onto your own and mentors that will not make you do what they think is the ‘right way’ to be a pup.

The fact is there is no ‘right way’ to be a pup. Being a pup is something interpreted completely different from all pups. Some pups like the freedom of human responsibility and find comfort in their primal instincts. Some pups find it relaxing to let their guard down and be playful with other adults in sexual and non-sexual ways. Some pups find their personalities to reflect that of a pup and some just like the way it looks and feels within themselves and the look on the outside. There is no ‘right way’ to be a pup. There is no book of pups that can truly tell you how to be a pup, because to be the best pup is something you discover on your own.

Going to a pup mosh for the first time, you should go with someone that can look after you and make sure that you are going into something knowing that you are going to be safe. Find someone that could act as a handler for you or an alpha for you for the time being at the mosh. Make sure you can trust the person and be able to confide in them and rely on them to be there for when you need it. Feel free to even mosh in a small group before you even go to a larger event. That way you can get a grasp on what it is actually like to be at a mosh. Don’t be afraid that you are being judged for what you are wearing, because every single pup is different from another. Some pups like to wear revealing gear and some like to wear t-shirts and jeans. There is nothing wrong with this at all, you do you and be comfortable with what you are wearing.

For your first large event mosh, go with someone that you know. Have them help you ease into the mosh and help you get relaxed enough to have fun being your puppy self. The best thing about this is if you do feel uncomfortable you can rely on that person to mosh with individually rather than pups that you do not know. The biggest thing to remember about a large event mosh is to make sure someone is there to look after you, have water and keep an open mind and remember that consent is sexy.

Don’t look for a guide to being a puppy, one does not exist. However, if you are looking for the best ways to be the best puppy…look within yourself. Your personality, your ideals and your social skills are what make the best puppy. Be you! Don’t rely on someone or something to tell you how to be the best puppy. If you need help to discovering yourself more as a pup do not be afraid to ask. There is no such thing as a stupid question when you are discovering yourself. That is why it is called discovering yourself…you are learning more about yourself and it is okay to ask questions to things you do not know how to find out. With that being said, trot on loud and proud puppies and handlers!