An Exploratory Study of a New Kink Activity: "Pup Play"

Area of Science:

• Human sexuality studies
• Psychology
• Sociology

Background:

• Pup play, a practice involving mimicking canine behaviors, remains under-researched.
• Understanding the motivations and experiences of individuals engaging in pup play is crucial for sexual health and relationship counseling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To empirically investigate the phenomenon of pup play among gay and bisexual men.
• To describe the dynamics and develop a conceptual framework for understanding pup play.
• To differentiate pup play from zoophilia and classify it as a sexual kink and leisure activity.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative research employing in-depth interviews with 30 gay and bisexual men.
• Utilizing a modified grounded theory approach for data analysis.
• Thematic analysis to identify patterns and develop a conceptual framework.

Main Results:

• Pup play primarily involves adopting canine behaviors and roles.
• The majority of participants engage in pup play for sexual satisfaction and relaxation.
• A distinct mental state, or "headspace," is commonly reported during pup play.
• No evidence supports framing pup play as zoophilia; it is classified as a kink.

Conclusions:

• Pup play is a distinct sexual kink and leisure activity, not zoophilia.
• Further qualitative and quantitative research is needed to fully understand pup play.
• Findings contribute to a broader understanding of diverse sexual practices and identities.