Headspace, and especially pup headspace is one of the things I get asked asked the most about. The questions come from not only the general public, but also from pups who are new to puppy play. The first thing I will say is headspace is a very individualized thing and techniques to get into headspace and what headspace feels like can differ from person to person. I will attempt to describe what headspace is for me and what helps me get into headspace.
Pup headspace for me is a feeling where I can put myself in a mode that allows me to focus on things that my conscience mind would normally not allow. It allows me to focus solely on being a pup and removed all other thoughts and distractions. Headspace isn’t a new thing and it’s not just associated with puppies. People in the leather and BDSM communities have been utilizing headspace for a very long time. However I feel there is a very big difference in what the headspace the leather and BDSM communities used for slave dogs and what I consider pup headspace to be. Typically a traditional slave dog is a defined power exchange between the slave dog and a Master or Sir. These dominant and submissive roles can have their place in pup headspace as well, it’s not required. I pup can be a pup and enter headspace without anyone else directly interacting with them or if they’re just interacting with other pups. Some pups do have a Sir, trainer, Master or handler that introduce a dominate/submissive power exchange, but it doesn’t even have to fall in those categories. Pups can have these rolls with other pups as well in more of a pack dynamic.
One of the biggest misconceptions I hear is that “I can’t get into headspace because I don’t have a pup hood.” While gear like harnesses, hoods, collars and leashes do help some pups enter headspace, it is definitely not a requirement. Having gear doesn’t make you a pup and not having gear does not mean you are not, and its not required to enter headspace. Anyone that tells you you need to buy something to be a pup is either trying to sell you something or just an ass-hat.
The process of entering headspace can and will differ from person to person, however what generally works for me is being treated as a pup, being around others in pup mode or personal meditation. I will say it takes me longer, and I find it more difficult to enter headspace, when I’m alone. Usually I need a space free of distractions (yes, turn your phone off for this). This is often where I personally find things like my pup hood and my collar help me a lot. When I can see my snout in front of me, I’m able to clear my mind and sometimes having the right music playing softly in the background will generally all help me. It is much easier for me if there are a group of pups around or if a handler or trainer is working with me. One of the biggest and most crucial things, whether you’re alone or with others, is you need to be in a space you feel safe and you have trust in those around you. Trust in the other pups around you or the handler/trainer working with you. Pup headpsace can put you in a vulnerable mental state and you need to know that those around you will not endanger you or misuse that trust. Always remember that power yielded by the submissive is equal to the level of responsibility assumed by the Dominant.
Pup headspace is not limited to the pup either. As a handler/trainer and a pup, I have two headspaces and they are drastically different for me. When I’m in trainer/handler headspace my sole focus is on the pup or pups I’m with and looking out for their safety, making sure they have what they need and working with them directly in a training role. For me as the handler, I take on a very protective role to make sure the pup(s) are happy and not endangering themselves in anyway. When I’m training, I’m very much in more of a dominate role. It’s important to make sure the pup knows you are the alpha or authority when training. Training is covered more extensively in the “Training the human pup” section of the site.
I will reiterate that this process differs from person to person and there is no definitive guide to getting into headspace. I do hope that if you’ve wondered about it or have had trouble entering headspace in the past, that some of these techniques will help you obtain your pup headspace. As you work on getting into headspace, I’ve found it gets easier and easier the more times I’ve done it. You figure out what works for you and what doesn’t. Also I find the more times I enter headspace, the deeper into the headspace I can go. Again, your mileage may vary, but I hope this helps.
– Micro