Puppy play and pet play gear: hoods, tails, kennels and pet crawlers

If you are new to puppy play, start with a pup hood, a collar with a leash and a pair of paws. That is enough to find pup headspace, and a kit such as the XR Brands Full Pup Arsenal Set covers most of it in one go. Add a tail plug only if you already enjoy anal play, and keep restraints like a pet crawler for when you and your handler know each other's limits. Everything below is in our puppy and pet play section.

Pup, handler and pack: roles and consent

In pet play one person takes on the role of an animal and another looks after them. Most choose a pup, but kittens, foxes and bunnies are common too. The pup plays, crawls, fetches and begs; the handler or owner guides, trains, rewards and cares. Several pups with their handlers form a pack. For many the appeal is the wordless headspace rather than sex; for others it is part of a power exchange. Both are fine, as long as everyone knows what the scene is about.

Talk before you play: what is in, what is out, how sexual it will be and who may touch whom. Pups often stop speaking, and barking is not a safeword, so agree on a non-verbal signal that still works with paws on, such as tapping the handler's leg twice. The handler looks after water, temperature and breaks. If BDSM itself is new to you, read BDSM gear for beginners first.

The best pet play gear by situation

• Best starter kit: the Full Pup Arsenal Set has a neoprene hood with poseable ears and a removable muzzle, plus collar, chest harness, arm bands and leash, all adjustable.
• Best hood for long scenes: the XR Brands Alpha Dog Pup Hood has open eye holes without a lens, so nothing fogs up, and an open mouth for airflow with a snap-on tongue.
• Best classic neoprene hood: the Ouch Neoprene Puppy Mask has a detachable muzzle, so the mouth can be freed for treats or a kiss.
• Best for gag play: the XR Brands Pup Mask with Breathable Gag combines dog ears with a removable breathable ball gag and three adjustable straps.
• Best first tail plug: the Prowler Red Silicone Puppy Tail Plug is compact at 7.5 cm long and 2 cm wide.
• Best for experienced pups: the XR Brands Woof XL is 6.5 cm wide and weighs 469 g with its long tail.
• Best paws: the Ouch Neoprene Dog Gloves take the fingers out of play with a paw design.
• Best restraint: the XR Brands Strict Pet Crawler folds arms and legs so the only way to move is to crawl.

Pet play gear compared

Hoods and masks

Neoprene stretches, follows the face and can be hand washed, but it gets warm. PU or vegan leather keeps a structured shape and is wiped clean. Free nostrils and an open mouth make longer scenes far more comfortable. The Prowler Red Puppy Muzzle is a separate neoprene muzzle that snaps onto compatible hoods, so you can change the look without a new hood.

Adjust the hood so it sits firmly without pressing and move your head around: nothing should slide over the eyes. Take breaks for water, remove the hood at once if the wearer gets too hot or dizzy, and never leave anyone alone with a gag in. More styles are under hoods and masks.

Tails: plug tails vs belt tails

A plug tail is fixed to the base of a butt plug and sways with every movement of the hips. A belt tail hangs from a belt or clips onto a harness or jockstrap, with nothing inserted, which suits people who skip anal play or want to wear a tail for hours at a party. All tails in this guide are plug tails.

Choose by the plug, not by the tail. The Prowler Red is the slimmest at 2 cm. The Ouch Glow-in-Dark Puppy Tail is silicone, 3 cm across with 8 cm insertable, and glows after time in sunlight. The Crushious Foxy Delight pairs a silicone plug with a 30 cm faux fur tail. The Ouch Fox Tail has an aluminium plug that adds weight, and the XR Brands Bunny Tail Mask Set combines a vegan leather mask with a weighted aluminium plug.

Use a water-based lube such as Pjur Aqua with silicone plugs; metal works with any lube. An open-back jockstrap like the Ouch Neoprene Jockstrap lets the tail hang free. Keep first sessions short and remove the plug at any pain or numbness. New to plugs? Our guide anal training and butt plug sizes explains how to start, and more models are under butt plugs.

Paws and mitts

Without fingers the pup cannot grab or open anything, which deepens the role and makes the handler responsible for water and buckles. Check that your stop signal works without fingers, and rest the wrists now and then.

Collars, leashes and harnesses

The Ouch Neoprene Puppy Play Collar and Leash matches neoprene hoods. For kitten play, the XR Brands Golden Kitty Bell Collar in PU leather has a bell and fits necks of 33 to 42 cm. If your pup pulls, clip the leash to a chest harness instead: the XR Brands Bulldog Harness fits chests of 103 to 135 cm and has D-rings front and back.

Leave room for two fingers under any collar, never jerk a leash on the neck and never let a collar carry body weight. More under collars and leashes and harnesses.

Kennels, cages and pet crawlers

A kennel is a cage large enough to kneel or lie in, used for time-outs or for a pet who sleeps at the handler's feet. Look for room to turn around, good airflow, a soft mat and a lock that opens quickly from outside. Never leave a locked-in pet alone, and never combine a kennel with a gag.

There is no free-standing kennel in this guide, but two pieces give the same feeling of being kept. The Strict Pet Crawler uses lacing and buckles with padding at the elbows and knees. The XR Brands Hanging Leather Strap Cage is 190.5 cm long and closes around the body as the wearer's weight pulls the straps down. It must hang from a professionally installed point that carries a person's full weight and suits experienced players only.

With any restraint, slide a finger under every strap, check hands and feet for colour, cold or numbness, keep sessions short and keep safety shears within reach. Our guide to handcuffs and restraints goes deeper, and more gear is under cuffs and restraints.

Knee protection

Crawling on a hard floor hurts within minutes. Sports knee pads, a thick rug or a gym mat make a real difference, and the Pet Crawler has padding built in. Stop when the knees turn red or ache.

Cleaning and care

• Neoprene: hand wash in lukewarm water with mild soap and air dry away from heat and direct sun.
• PU and vegan leather: wipe with a damp cloth and mild soap, and let it dry before storing.
• Tail plugs: wash the plug with warm water and mild soap or a toy cleaner such as the ManCage Eco Toy Cleaner, and keep the fur dry by wrapping it in a towel. Brush the fur once dry.
• Store each piece separately, away from sunlight. More under toy cleaners.

Frequently asked questions