Not everything that brings us comfort can be shared with the world or even with the people closest to us.

Sometimes privacy is desired

I’ve noticed that many discussions about pet play assume you’ll either engage with a partner or eventually connect with a community. But what if you’re not ready for that? This practice is deeply personal, and can be something you want or need to keep entirely to yourself.

The reasons for wanting privacy are as varied as the people who practice. You might not be ready to explain it to a partner, or you could be living with family or roommates who wouldn’t understand. For some, the thought of discovery brings genuine anxiety.
Whatever your reasons, they’re valid. But want I want to say to you is that you can do in complete privacy.

The advantages of Solo Pup Play

One of the unexpected advantages I’ve found with solo pet play is how naturally it accommodates the need for discretion. Unlike partnered dynamics that require coordination, communication, and trust-building with another person, your solo practice can remain entirely within your control.

You decide:

• When and where it happens
• What (if any) items you use
• How much evidence exists afterward
• Who (if anyone) ever knows about it

There’s no risk of miscommunication, no vulnerability of sharing with someone who might not understand, no coordination required. It’s yours alone.

Practical tips for keeping it private

If privacy is important to you, here are some approaches that can help:

Minimal Footprint: You don’t need specialized gear that would raise questions. Comfortable clothes you already own, spending time on the floor, engaging with stuffed animals or toys, these can all be explained away easily or simply go unnoticed.

Timing Matters: Practice when you have reliable alone time. Early mornings before others wake up, late evenings, or when you have the house to yourself can become your dedicated time.

Transitional Rituals: Create simple ways to shift in and out of your pup headspace that leave no trace, a particular playlist, a specific comfortable spot, or even just a mental intention.

Storage Solutions: If you do use specific items, keep them inconspicuous. A collar can look like a choker necklace. Toys can be “decorative.” Many items serve dual purposes or can be easily explained.

Digital Discretion: If you’re researching or connecting with online resources, use private browsing, or keep materials in password-protected folders.

You dont have to share!

Here’s something I want to emphasize: you never have to share this with anyone. Not now, not ever. There’s no progression or “next step” where you’re supposed to involve others or go public. If solo pup play remains a private comfort practice for your entire life, that’s completely valid.

Some things are more meaningful precisely because they’re private. A secret garden you tend alone. A language only you speak. A place of comfort that exists entirely on your own terms.

The freedom of privacy

There’s actually something liberating about a practice that asks nothing of anyone else. No explanations required, or risk of judgement. You can be you, accessing a world that brings comfort, in whatever way works for your life and circumstances.

If you’ve been curious about pup play but worried about privacy, I hope this reassures you. It’s absolutely possible to explore this as a personal comfort practice that never needs to leave your private space.

If you want some concrete ideas to get started? I’ve put together 25 Solo Puppy Play Scenarios created specifically for pups who practice alone. These scenarios are all designed for private home use and don’t require a handler, giving you a variety of ways to explore what feels right for you.