Inu jyutsu - Way of Human Pup Play 

"From knowing puphood well,

you see into all things"

The land of the rising sun, Japan, has an ancient history that is unique and special, and can offer great insight into pup play for us all. To get an explanation as to why we present this path here follow this link. This path we present draws from the culture of the Japanese people, who have always considered the dog to be a faithful companion and loyal protector. These qualities are highly valued in Japanese society. Working from Yamamoto Tsunetomo's Hagakure -  the Way of the Samurai - we present here a modern update for human pup play - Inu jyutsu.

Do'ryoku - effort

Have a clear heart - To begin on the Path pup, you must devote your heart firmly to Inu jyutsu. If you cannot answer what the "Way of the Pup" is, it is because you have been negligent and not formed a clear conviction in your heart of being a pup.  Begin with being a pup in your heart or you are not on the Way. 

Be sensible - It may at first seem that in order to be a pup there are a lot of things to remember, and it can't be done with an ordinary frame of mind. This is not true. To be a pup you just need the good sense you were born with. All you have to do is proceed in accord with the instructions wisely set forth by your master. 

Don't fear not being human - Embracing puphood means to embrace it without fear of losing your humanity. The best way to lose that fear is to imagine whenever you become a pup, your humanity dies. When you have to choose whether to be a pup or human, you need not hesitate. There should be no time to worry about whether you will achieve pupspace in your self or not.  

All of us are human, with human thinking, so we can find reasons for remaining as a human and not becoming a pup. Being attached to being a human all the time means you will not become a pup. You must bravely face letting go of your human self, letting it die.

However, if you live your life as though you don't want to be a human you are being a coward. You must be a brave human pup, not an idiotic animal. It is a perilous line that divides humanity and puphood. A line you cross with conviction and certainty knowing what you are doing. If you become a pup, it can be regarded as crazy or pleasure seeking, but it incurs no shame. The judgements of others mean nothing to a pure hearted pup devoted to his master. So you can be a pup and let your human self die temporarily with pride. 

Being a pup means being owned as a dog by your master - If every day you commit to being a pup, imagining your humanity as dead and gone when you are in your pupspace, then you will become a dog in your self. You will find freedom from others judgements when you are a dog and be able to serve your master dutifully.  

Practice pup play so you act spontaneously - The pup who is always ready to be a pup is not simply one who, when he encounters any situation, grasps the situation and knows how to deal with it skilfully on the basis of his experience. Rather, it is a matter of considering carefully the way you should handle all kinds of situations before they occur. So that when you do encounter a particular situation, you are able to carry through the plan of action that you have already thought out pup. 

Mi'bun - status

The life of a pup follows a certain order. The lowest grade of puphood is where, although a pup practices his activities and does his lessons, he doesn't really achieve anything. This pup thinks that both himself and other pups are clumsy and unskilled, that pup play is foolishness. This grade of pup is of no use to the pack. 

The middle grade is where, although a pup is of no use to the pack, he is aware of it and the insufficiencies of other pups too. The middle grade pup knows what he is failing at, and is willing to try harder. His evaluation of his failings are realistic and he can learn from them. 

The upper grade is where pup has thoroughly understood his lessons and practised his activities and now takes pride in his proficiency. The upper grade pup enjoys the praise from his owner but laments the failings and lack of skill of other pups. This grade of pup is of use to the pack. 

The next higher grade is where pup appears as if he doesn't know of others pups failings and he sees them as proficient. This is usually the stage most pups reach, becoming polite members of the pup community.

But there is a higher level, and a pup who goes higher finds that learning to be a pup is without an end. He no longer thinks that he has mastered puphood. Pup can see clearly that he still has insufficiencies, and he is not satisfied with all his achievements. Pup doesn't feel vain about his accomplishments nor is he self abasing. A pup of this ultimate grade knows that today his skill is better than yesterday, and tomorrow it will be better than today. 

Hoko - Take your obedience and training one day at a time. If you think that service, hoko, is something that you are just doing today, this one day only, then you can do anything pup. If you are only obedient and working for your master for one day, you can bear with anything pup. When the next time you meet, or train, when the next day comes - you just need to think again that it is just for today, this one day only. Thus a pup serves only a day in his heart. 

Pupspace in Inu Jyustu - Everything is in the present moment. There is nothing outside of the present moment. Life is nothing but a series of moments, following one after another. This is the pupzone, as dogs experience the world. 

In your pupzone you will see no reason to be in a hurry, and no reason to be constantly looking for something to do or make happen. That is human behaviour driven by human thinking of what is to come and what has happened. All you have to do as a pup is hold onto the present moment and get on with being a pup. Yet, being a human pup, pupspace will often slip from your grasp, as you fall into the trap of "thinking that there is something better" than the present moment and you begin wanting it, and lose your mental headspace of being in your pupzone. It takes a lot of practice to learn to hold continually on to pupspace in your mind and not let it slip.

However, once you have found your pupspace, even if you cannot remain in it constantly, it is already a real thing. If you understand and experience everything in the present moment in your pupzone, then your life as a whole becomes less complicated. A loyal heart is a pups heart, completely in the moment.  

A petty human being lacks stillness and calm in his heart. A person of character has extra room within his heart and mind to create a pupspace, another self to be and express. Crucially a pup does not rush to do anything, including creating his pupspace in his head. A petty human lacks that stillness within and is always confronting things, always running around in anxiousness.  

There is dignity in humility and self control. There is dignity in calm composure. There is dignity in making less noise. There is dignity in correct posture. There is dignity in determination and observation. In all these cases this is something that is expressed externally. In the final analysis of pupspace, its basis lies in holding the attention firm and maintaining a single mind of virtue, and an outward expression of virtue. 

The inner virtues 

Chi - Wisdom: a pup should always be open to discussing with others and learning from them

Jin - Fellow feeling: a pup acts to the benefit of others

Yu - Courage: a pup grits his teeth and just does what he has to do

The outer virtues 

Appearance: a pup must express his pup self through his look and outward seeming. Look like a pup.

Presentation: a pups manner and expression through sound and body language are important. Act like a pup.

Art: the pup persona is a creative expression, and adds to the world by its creation. 

You must develop the Inner and Outer Virtues as a follower of Inu Jyutsu, making your pup self virtuous worthy of respect and admiration. 

Shu'jin - master

Observe quietly - If from the start a pup runs around trying to become excellent and the favourite of his owner, it is an awful thing to watch. At the beginning a pup should step back and learn by observation, coming to know the customs of the pack and the likes and dislikes of his owner. A new pup shows discrimination in expressing his enthusiasm so he can avoid doing things his owner does not like. 

If your owner is of the diffident and mediocre type, meaning he is unsure of himself and unskilled, and not enthusiastic for pup play, then you should praise him frequently and try to help him. You should help the pack be in good order. All of your dutiful help as his loyal pup goes towards keeping your master from making mistakes, and you will help him mature and develop as a master.

On the other hand, if your owner is strong minded and intelligent and well versed in pup play, then you should try to act so that your master feels a little uncomfortable in a pups presence. So that he avoids coming to think "I wonder what this pup would think if I asked him about this?". This is a very important type of loyalty. It is important to help your strong master be strong and not lose his prowess. So as his pup you must give an air, an appearance and behaviour that discourages your master from wondering what you might think. A master acts decisively and with confidence at all times. 

Da'ma'ru - keep silent

When you find yourself at a loss for wisdom, it is a good idea to discuss the matter with someone else who is not involved in your pack and pup play. Because the other person is an uninvolved third party and can consider the matter you bring to them objectively, without a self centred bias, the conclusions you reach together will be better.  

It may be that you differ in opinion with another in pup play at times. There is only one way for a good pup to handle himself in an argument. A loyal pup should show a conciliatory attitude, conceding that the other persons point of view is eminently reasonable and letting that person say as much as they like. Then, when they are flushed with victory in the argument and say too much, a good pup looks for the weak points in their position, and comes back with a defence of his own standing and choices.   A good loyal pup trusts his masters wisdom and would never abandon his masters point of view. A pup is his masters protector in all things at all times. 

In the resolution of matters a loyal pup uses the fewest sounds. When you have something to say in pup mode, the essential thing is not saying it. If you think that a matter can be resolved without making any noise, then the matter will be resolved without making a sound. When something has to be said, you should make just a few sounds and in such a way that the principle idea of what needs to be expressed is communicated. There are many moments when rowdy pups make sounds in a situation carelessly, causing shame and leading others to abandon matters as hopeless. Your behaviour as a pup is your expression of your pup self. A loyal pup is a quietly obedient pup. Your undying love for your owner is expressed through your silent devotion.