Caging

Caging

The desire to cage or be caged can be very strong. For the submissive/slave, it can be the culmination of a lifetime of fantasies and dreams. To be captured and dragged off into capture and forced servitude or usage by a Dominant is to many the ultimate act of desire on the part of the Dominant or captor. There is the relinquishment of responsibility. The acknowledgment of acquired possession. It is to feel valued. Desirable and desired. In addition, there is the removal of constraints. An element of freedom and release of inhibition is intricately intertwined with the concept of being captured, caged, used, owned, possessed, and forced.

The use of a cage denotes several things. It is stating that the captive is worthy of being kept and that this same captive is not quite tame but requires a level of external enslavement to keep them in the active possession of their owner.

Some Dominants wish for their submissives/slaves to know that they are owned and that their freedom of movement is not assured, but granted on the whim of the Dominant. There is an element of primal control in 'keeping' a person collared and caged. It allows the Dominant to 'feel' that their submissive/slave is there expressly to serve the Dominant's pleasure. For many submissive/slaves, the true act of being caged allows them to fully experience feelings of being owned, similar to a treasured pet or animal. Caging often occurs during a period or time of puppy, pet, or pony training. The usage of an animal cage is often a significant part of reinforcing aspects of this type of training.

Caging can have other effects, both positive and negative. It can create mental silence. Often, we are so busy in our lives that our minds are spilling over with information, problems, bills, issues, chores, duties, and obligations. We are so full that we haven't a moment to spare to think. We tend to be constantly acting, often reacting to stimuli. Being placed in a position of forced confinement without objects of entertainment can force the submissive to stop cycling and focus. For some, after becoming adapted to being confined, there is a sensation of peace. Within the cage, they are free. There are no expectations, no obligations, no chores, no requirements, no duties, no issues, or no problems to deal with. There is only the cage, the silence, the reality of waiting to serve the Dominant. Everything else leaves. Many submissives want to go home to their cages so that the sense of chaos so pervasive in the outer world can be forced away from them. Within the cage, they are safe; they are not allowed to 'deal' with the chaos. In the most profound sense, the submissive is freed.

Non-consensual caging, such as forced imprisonment, can cause serious mental health issues. Forcible imprisonment is illegal! This type of non-consensual caging has no place within a consensual D/s relationship.

As with many types of D/s choices, the Dominant needs to remember that consent is not a stable force. If you and your submissive choose to experiment with various forms of restrictive bondage or caging, then it is essential to keep in mind that the choices are not made for indefinite time periods. A first trial period should be clearly defined for the experiment. Every submissive will react to caging differently. Some will have loved the fantasy of being caged and detest the reality of it. Caging can be quite uncomfortable. In addition, if a submissive/slave is caged, then they are not being used. In other words, their many and varied attributes, talents, and gifts are not being used to actively benefit the relationship.

Often, the first type of caging explored is the scene caging. This is where the submissive/slave is caged for an hour or two in a pre-scene state to prepare them for a scene later that day. This type of caging is generally pretty safe if the cage is of sufficient size to allow the submissive/slave ample movement to stretch cramped muscles. It is important to remember that there is NO desire to injure and that a cramped submissive/slave will not function well. There are many types of in-scene cages, and these cages can be quite restrictive and made from various materials. Use them safely, employing the same safety standards of blood flow and tissue damage as necessary in any type of bondage!!

The second most common usage of the cage is the 'sleep caging'. This is a cage set up in the home of the Dominant exclusively to be used as the sleeping area for the submissive/slave. Buying cages or having them made can be quite expensive. It is important that if you are going to invest in this type of toy, you be very certain that it will be enjoyed long-term and not be used once or twice and abandoned. A relatively inexpensive cage can be purchased in most pet stores for less than $100.00. In general, all-metal cages are most preferred by Dominants as they allow for full viewing of your 'naked' slave and in-cage playing through the cage. These metal cages tend to be flimsy, sometimes with sharp edges, uncomfortable floors, and potentially dangerous locking mechanisms. However, they will often do adequately for a short trial period (very short) before buying or having a custom cage made.

A typical trial period for first usage of a 'sleep cage' might be for one week. This means that the cage would be used only during the sleep period and that the submissive/slave would be required to maintain a very active exercise regime during this experiment to ensure that muscles and tissues retain their health. In addition, the Dominant should place a piece of sheet plywood on the floor of the cage to level out the wire. This should be covered with matting or (as some prefer - a dog bed) for the nightly comfort of the submissive/slave. In addition, the Dominant needs to ensure that the submissive/slave is physically capable of such confinement, has all the necessary blankets for warmth, and, most importantly, an escape key.

Most pre-manufactured small animal cages are constructed for external release only. While this may sound erotic and arousing, it is extremely dangerous. Long-term caging means that the submissive is within the cage for significant time periods. Problems happen, fire happens. A Dominant can provide the key to the cage to the submissive in a manner that will restrict its usage to emergency conditions only. This can be quite simply done. The Dominant can place the key in a small envelope, which is then sealed and attached to the inside of the cage. This will require the submissive to 'tear open' the envelope, revealing any usage of the key if that key is used in a non-emergency situation. A Dominant should force the submissive to practice opening the cage door using the key before caging them. Make sure that the submissive can do this even in poor to bad lighting conditions! If the locking mechanism is difficult to reach, then the cage is poorly designed and may be too dangerous to use with adequate safety.

Assuming that the trial period passes and a reevaluation of the idea occurs, and the Dominant and the submissive agree to implement caging on a longer-term basis, then they should actively seek out and invest in a good, well-designed cage for human usage. At that point, I would suggest a hard-floored (or one with a removable hard floor) cage, one with adjustable internal stocks for scening, an easily unlockable door from both sides, and of a size to comfortably fit the submissive. Expect a custom cage to be expensive, so pre-plan on many types of usage to make it as flexible in design as possible.

It is important to listen to your submissive. If, for any reason, they cease taking pleasure in using the cage, then you should not attempt to coerce or force them into imprisonment. Involuntary imprisonment is nonconsensual and illegal! Caging should be fun, pleasurable, sexy, erotic, sensual, and safe for both people engaged in it. Also, many people are surprised to discover that some submissives long for their cages and can be found inside of them reading books, using a laptop, and munching on goodies with the door open. A cage can become a nest, a place of safety surrounded by the physical reality of possession by someone that the submissive loves.

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