July Class Series:
Petplay Essentials
About the Series
VIRTUAL: Sundays September 7, 14, 21, and 28 at 7–9pm ET / 4–6pm PT. Can’t make class time? Recordings will be sent to students who register in advance.
You can register for the whole series (at a discount) or just the classes you want.
There are no rules in petplay — but there’s a lot to learn! This month, we’re digging into essential skills for human pets as well as their trainers and handlers. We’ll learn methods for cultivating safe, immersive headspace and nonverbal communication; explore exciting activities and challenges, from scent tracking to disability service to high-intensity posture training; and learn to avoid burnout and drop by setting ourselves up for success. This series is great for beginner and experienced players alike, especially those who:
handle (or want to handle) pet partners with creativity and ease
want to strengthen their pet/handler bond
are interested in petplay but struggle to feel confident in their role
want ideas and skills that enable them to do “more” and play harder
These four classes work great together or separately. You get a discount when you register for the full series, and when you register at least a week before class starts.
As with all Get Licked! classes, these classes and techniques are for consenting human adults only!
Learn about individual classes below, or register here.
Follow My Lead: Handling Human Pets
Sunday September 7 at 7–9pm ET / 4–6pm PT
Competent handlers do far more than just hold a leash and throw a ball: They provide essential training and care; set the tone, pace, and direction of a scene; and, with the right skills, work the magic that allows a person to release their human mindset and “transform” into an animal. This class is for anyone who handles petplayers, from dedicated leash holders to pet-for-pet switches and the simply curious. We’ll learn how to create and enhance headspace, establish effective nonverbal communication, and keep pets safe, whether you’re playing with a long-term partner or a pet you just met.
This class has passed, but you can get the recording if you register for the full series here.
Gear Up: Planning Great Petplay Scenes
Sunday September 14 at 7–9pm ET / 4–6pm PT
Great scene planning makes for great scenes — and poor planning can lead to scenes that feel boring, frustrating, or even lonely. This class is designed to help pets and handlers of all experience levels plan safe, rewarding scenes. We’ll learn to avoid common pitfalls, add flavor with plot and character, strike the right balance between “too much” and “not enough,” and practice effective consent and aftercare.
Register here.
On All Fours Where You Belong: Fun with “Forced” Petplay
Sunday September 21 at 7–9pm ET / 4–6pm PT
This class explores the intersection of petplay and consensual non-consent: scenes where a submissive is made into a human animal “against their will” (within the context of negotiated, consensual play). We’ll begin by exploring the feelings this play can evoke— from delight to embarrassment, humiliation, and even fear — and then learn to enact the transformation using physical restraints, behavior restrictions, costumes, gestures, punishments, and more. You’ll leave class with a toolkit you can apply to traditional petplay, D/s dynamics, and more.
Note: A 30-minute preview of this class was presented at the Dom/sub Dynamics conference. The upcoming version is a full-length, two-hour class with loads of new content!
Register here.
The Vest Stays On: Service Animal 101 — with Colin A. Bootblack
Sunday September 28 at 7–9pm ET / 4–6pm PT
This workshop is for petplayers (and other players) interested in exploring service animal–handler dynamics. We will use four-legged service animals and their handlers as a model for these interdependent relationships, which involve working closely together on physical tasks to support both partners, and apply the same principles to petplay dynamics. The class will include live demonstrations of specific service tasks, such as bracing (assisting with balance and movement), medication management, fetching items, and body regulation/co-regulation. Participants will gain a practical framework to begin exploring these service tasks and dynamics on their own. Note: This workshop focuses on task-oriented service and does not cover emotional support animal roles.
Colin A Bootblack (he/him) is a Disabled, fat, black, punk leather boy with a raver heart and Mr. Sir to his pupperoni meatza and service dog Antifa. His teaching is grounded in his lived experiences. Colin was Oregon State Bootblack 2023 and Intergalactic Power Bottom 2019, is a resident bootblack at the Eagle Portland, and has bootblacked all across the United States. He resides on Kalapuyan land in Oregon. In his spare time you can find him supporting his local music scene at house shows, turning a look, prancing under a mirror ball, chasing daddies, and flagging red on the left and hunter green on the right.
Register here.
Register for the full series (at a discount) here, or pick just the ones you want.
What to Expect:
All virtual classes are live on Zoom. You’ll receive everything you need via email as soon as you register. Most are two hours long, including time for Q&A. Can’t make the class time? Classes will be recorded, so if you can’t attend live, you can still get all the info, as long as you register before the class starts. Recordings will be available to watch until the next series of classes begins. After that, the only way to access them will be via the recorded class library on Patreon. (Classes get added there two months after the original series.)
Get Licked! is for everyone: queer, straight, trans, cis, binary, non, monogamous, polyamorous, kinky, vanilla, and all other folks are welcome. Be kind to each other and help each other learn. We are here in community.
Many classes include activities to help you grasp material and build skills. Participation is encouraged, but never required. Listen to your body, and do what feels good for you.
Still have questions? Reach out using my contact form here.