Some Types of Dog Tops

Dog Owner

This type of partner actually owns the dog. It is just another word for Master in a Master/slave situation. Sometimes the dog owner will go by the more common title "Master" or "Dog Master" but other times they just go for "puppy's Owner". There are no rules about this sort of thing. The only thing I'd advise is that you refrain from calling yourself a Dog Owner or Master or whatever unless you have actually handled a human puppy before in this style of arrangement Otherwise you risk coming across as over inflated. If you are looking to be in an arrangement in which you own a dog it is better to be honest and say you are interested in becoming an owner, rather than representing yourself as someone with experience. This type of arrangement is one of the most common in dog play.

Dog Trainer

Some Trainers are also Owners. This is a lot like saying some Dominants are also Masters. Trainers have a D/s style arrangement with a human puppy in which they train the puppy for their uses. They do not always own the puppy. A Trainer might do things like paper train a pup, teach it to heel, and show it how to follow simple commands.

Dog Groomer

I'll be honest, I've never met a human puppy Groomer. The term Groomer is used mostly in the pony set. I really don't see why it couldn't apply here just as easily though especially if you have a show dog. The Groomer basically is equivalent to a Top whose emphasis is on maintaining the dog's appearance. A Trainer and Owner would also most likely Groom their dog or manage their grooming, but a Groomer does not own or train the dog. A Groomer simply makes sure the pup is kept clean and neat for things like dog shows. I don't know of many places that do organized dog shows, but they are out there (especially if you are in Europe).

Top

This would cover someone who will take the Top role in a dog role play situation but does not own, groom, or train the dog. Perhaps the Top would administer a beating to the puppy because it went to the bathroom on the pup's Owner's floor. The Top in that situation would be there to execute that specific scene but would have no investment in the puppy's future training, grooming, or basic needs. A Top, just as any other "title", can define themselves of course. So, my best advice is that you do a lot of negotiation and find out what the Top thinks a Top is! ahha.

No Titles please, I have a headache!

Some people just don't like titles. That doesn't make them any more of something or any less of something necessarily. Some people love a style of play and demonstrate that in their actions instead of through their given title. I think some of the best Owners might never take the name Owner and some of the worst ones might call themselves "Lord Canine Tamer, Owner of Kennels of pups!" A name doesn't always tell you much, and sometimes the best players reject titles entirely. Then again, a lot of clueless ones do too! ha-ha So don't skimp on negotiation! Another thing to take into consideration is that there are many people who are into the role play but not into BDSM. They seem far less interested in what they are called.

I'm a wackemdamaphrodite ever heard of that?

I haven't heard of it either. The point is that people are free to come up with their own names and own definitions. Many people prefer a title that they just made up rather than one they share with a whole group of people. I know I generally go by Vamp during play. I go by Vamp as a Top. I go by it as an Owner. I also answer to it when someone I don't know says, "Please pass the alcohol spray bottle Vamp." Life is too short to let other people tell you who you are, so feel free to be yourself. If you feel that a title does suit you, by all means take it but don't feel pressured to accept a title you don't like.