#my theriotype is a dog if that helps

[veeislost]

How tf do I make a mask? Especially without a lot of resources and my parents knowing.

I’d even settle for making just ears!

Ngl I’m kinda desperate

- a recently realized therian ♡

[taxidermycanine]

5 WAYS TO HELP WITH SPECIES DYSPHORIA AS A THERIAN (with and without gear)

- please note that most of these are focused mainly on being a wolf therian, but i'll try my best to make it more inclusive to others.

1 •

my personal favorite, wolf quest! this one does cost money, so this isn't for those who don't have the money/don't already have the game. it really helps me feel more connected to who i am. you find a mate, raise pups, hunt prey, defend your den and pack from predators, and there's even a multiplayer option for you to play with your friends. :o)

(and yes, you can customize what your wolf looks like. all NPC wolves in the game have different personalities for immersion, including you, your pups, and your mate)

please note that the game is still in development! they plan to add a saga where you can live constantly with your pack and continue with new generations each year (and no, you don't HAVE to pass away). you can toggle whether your mate dies or not, if you play on easy you can avoid your pups getting sick by reloading saves if you're sensitive to that, there are constantly new updates being brought out that make the game feel more realistic each time and the development team are incredibly sweet. if you have the money i highly recommend this game, wolf therian or otherwise.

2 •

documentaries. a wonderful way to not only feel more connected to your theriotype(s), but to also learn more information about them! my favorite thing to do when i'm stressed is to wrap myself in warm blankets, turn off my lights and put on a documentary to calm myself down. bonus points if you DO have gear to wear during this, if not that's okay too.

i also like to have my plush friends join me so i can act like they're my pack :o) it's a nice way to feel less lonely as i watch. this also works if you're a domestic cat therian, have your plushies be your clouder! no matter what animal you are though, never feel less valid for wanting your stuffies with you during this. it doesn't matter if your theriotype isn't a social animal in the wild.

if you're an aquatic therian of some kind, i think a good idea would be taking your phone in the bathroom with you and setting it up outside of the tub to watch whilst you're in the water! (or shower if you don't have one, you can also use a kiddie pool outside in the warmer months). PLEASE remember to be safe during this though, if you worry about getting your phone wet then instead find some blue blankets and pretend it's the ocean!

3 •

going outside to where your theriotype resides in naturally. of course this won't be for everyone, since a lot of the time trips can end up being quite costly. something that i like to do is go to my local forest whenever i have the time to do so! i find it refreshing to sit by the stream and play in the water with my mate.

if you're a domestic dog therian, ask to go on a walk around the neighborhood with your friend! (or hell, go by yourself if it's safe enough, you're a free dog, you can do what you want). even as a wild animal i still enjoy this, so don't feel ashamed if you're ALSO a wild animal who wants to do things that domestic dogs do. it doesn't make you any less undomesticated.

if you're an animal that's used to deserts, i recommend going to where you can access sand (e.g. a sandbox at a playground, asking for a small sand tray to play in as a gift, a day out to the beach if you live near one). i also find that dried dirt that's very damaged can feel sort of similar to sand!

if you can't go outside for whatever reason, then there's always ways to make your bedroom feel similar to where you would be more comfortable. if your theriotype lives in dens like caves and underneath trees, make a blanket fort and pretend it's your home! if your theriotype rests in a burrow, make a tunnel with some blankets from the top of your bed all the way down to under it (if that doesn't work, pretend that anything below your bed is underground, and anything above your bed is the surface).

4 •

dressing in clothes that are the same color as your theriotype. i have this fluffy hat with ears that feels very affirming for my species dysphoria, paired with my favorite dark sweaters, warm pants and my tail. if you don't have any gear, don't worry! you don't need to have any to complete an outfit. sometimes clothing textures can also be affirming. for example if you have smooth skin like a whale, a bathing suit can feel similar to blubber. (if you have gender dysphoria, i recommend either full body bathing suits, or wearing pants on top of it and a jacket to help yourself feel more affirmed). i wear fluffy clothes because my fur is fluffy :o) it helps me, personally, but this might not be the same for everyone!

5 •

studying the behavior of your theriotype and trying your best to imitate it to the best of your abilities with the body you have. this can be as simple as copying how they act around each other as a family (for example wolves who are mates will rest their chins on each other to display affection), and as difficult as trying to vocalize what sounds your theriotype makes.

if you wanted to try the latter, i recommend looking at vocal exercises online before as a lot of creature sounds can and will strain your voice, i promise you that warming up your chords will not only help you sound clearer, it'll ensure that it won't take as much effort to do!

[dinocanid]

This might be a hot take related to the current discourse (and is much more broad than the original topic and only tangentially related) but like, I don't think you have to know anything about your kintype/theriotype/etc. to know that's what you are.

Not to say that research doesn't help people, it certainly can help someone confirm/deny what their nonhuman identity is, and it is possible to be wrong the first time around, but for some people that's legit just bonus information. Neat to know but not necessary to figuring things out. It makes absolutely zero sense to be like "you can't be sure unless you can recite some wikipedia facts to me right now", or if you can play spot the difference between two (very similar looking) species. There is no alterhuman diploma.

To use a personal example: one of my kintypes is a wolf, I do not know most things about wolves off the top of my head. Don't ask me anything about wolf ecology outside the bare basics, I couldn't tell you. When I was really young I thought my nonhuman identity was a dog until one day I had the epiphany that I was actually a wolf. I didn't have to bury my head in research to figure that out, I just knew for not much reason. Any information on wolves I know today is stuff I picked up here and there over the years, independent of my identity. Even so, most wolf facts are irrelevant to me as a wolf since I wasn't wild and don't act like most wolves do or have the same instincts or behaviors. If anything I would've been thrown off-path, possibly for years, because my experiences didn't match that of wild wolves.

All this to say, you do what works for you and don't set the bar for entry based on your personal journey. Your experiences are not universal and all that. Some people just know for no reason, that's fine. Some people don't know and need that extra research, that's ok too. This feels like The Discourse Ever(tm) to be starting 2024 with, this feels like something people would've argued about in 2010.

[atlxntic-wxlf]

why are so many therians canines??? feels fake

"Why are there so many fox/wolf/cat/dog therians?"

Starting off with please do not fake claim any therian. I put my response to this on my instagram.

So, i do have a theory on wolf, dog, cat and fox therians, though! Anon is correct on one thing, and thats that there is an abundance of these therians. Not that theres anything wrong with it! Every one of them is valid, common or not!

Basically, i think theres so many of these therians because of the information present about them. It helps form an explaination of why they feel so close to these animals.

I mean, for example, you know a lot more about dogs than you do tasmanian devils. Therefore, a dog therian is more likely to find out theyre a dog therian than a tasmanian devil therian is, because you can faithfully say that you are, arent, or could be a dog therian, than saying "well.. I havent considered it.." when considering a TD.

in theory, that means theres a lot of therians with lesser known species will have a harder time finding out these things because of their limited info.

Theres also things to note like

Some nonhumans finding out they share the same family (taxonomic rank) as their actual theriotype. For example, someone unconfirms their wolf theriotype when they find out theyre actually a coyote, dhole, maned wolf, etc!!

Some misconceive therian for animalhearted and use the wrong label

Some are younger kids who do not actually understand therianthropy and use the term as well as the most common theriotype

Some are just quadrobicists, and misconceive therianthripy for quads.

These are just guesses however! If someone else has a better explaination, or wish to add anything, feel free to do so.

[crypt-void]

Maybe im not cladotherian and actually just polytherian. Because I still look at myself and just think, oh yeah, that's a canine. But also, over time, I've kinda just realized that it's not so much the entire genus and instead just some specific species. I also feel like my theriotypes are deeply tied to who I am, how I grew up, and how I function. I know I'm a wolf for certain. I get especially shifty in the winter, and it will stay somewhat dormant in the warmer months. I feel drawn to my coyote theriotype in the spring and summer, and having grown up in the deep south, it helps that it makes me feel more comfortable in where I call home.

My dog theriotype is pretty much always present. I'm just doglike in nature.

And then my raccoon tends to flair up, especially when I regress? Like it's usually either puppy or raccoon.

This isn't really me panicking about this or anything tbh. Sometimes, it just feels nice to talk about it.

[collieretriever]

border collie therian survival guide

if you'd like to see more of this kinda stuff lmk!

establish a jogging routine. finding or creating obstacles is really fun too. basically if u can find anywhere with lotsa space and take advantage!

noise canceling headphones and even discreet earplugs can help tremendously with coping w our sensitive ears. esp when it comes to city noise

bite ur loved ones and try to herd them

practice learning tricks and developing more active hobbies. even stuff to get ur brain moving is helpful! i try to spend more time outside as it helps w my instincts, but some dogs r homebodies n that's ok

i find it fun to try to match outfits to my theriotypes!! such as color and silhouette!! i do this w my hair as well. since collies r medium length coated i try to keep my hair medium and styled w the ends pointing outwards. i also try to mimic the shape of my ears on the sides.

btw if you're a ticked border collie it can be rlly fun to put a couple of spots near ur nose!! i use a freckle pen

[dog-thing-augustus]

~yote rambles~

i don't normally get that into my experiences but I'd like to do that more!

my phantom limb shifts are my most common shift, mostly muzzle and tail and such, but one i do want to talk about is hackles. its not quite just my human hair on neck raising, this is something i feel all down my spine and it happens when im nervous, or frustrated or just a lot of pent up emotion. i also tend to shake it off one whatever made them raise has passed, like a dog shaking off stress. its a shift ive had for as long as i remember bit only now pin pointed it as OH its my hackles!

i noticed this as i tend to draw them when i draw me as a canine weather as a dog or Coyote i give myself very prominent hackles because it's always been a thing i experience.

drawing myself as a canine with some human features here and there really helps visualise how i see myself as a therian. i don't see myself as human nor do i see myself as a human with animal parts or an antro animal on two legs. as i walk i see myself as a coyote plodding down the street on all 4s despite walking on two while knowing i am walking on two.

i am and always will be a coyote despite my other theriotypes which are always still in question for me.

anyways just wanted to put this out there thanks if you read all my rambles from this yote

[lupi-usque-ad-finem]

@wolfislost here!

I see you mention your handlers relatively often. It's a concept i've been thinking about for a little over a year now. It would be super helpful if you could share what a handler is to you, what that relationship looks like, how it makes you feel, etc.

No pressure of course! And if you've already explained this somewhere, it would be really helpful if you could link me to that post

Thank you!!

Hiya!! Of course, I’d love to talk about it!!

So my handlers are my two human friends in my pack and this dynamic has been so for a good while. For me, having a handler(s) is having a safe space to explore and experience my therianthropy without judgement, having someone who knows they can rely on me as I rely on them, where i’m addressed correctly according to my theriotypes, and a place to express myself as I desire (i.e. wearing my gear, communicating how I want, being in a canine headspace/going full wolf brain mode, etc). I would say my handlers are called so specifically because they aren’t otherkin or alterhuman, but I’m sure there are otherkin handlers!

With wolves and dogs who have/need human handlers, it’s much like our dynamic. Some of those dogs were abused, too aggressive, too shy, left out, and/or have a difficult time trusting others. Their handler is the person(s) they trust, and this dynamic allows me to trust. Our relationship is built on mutual respect, love, and understanding. When I explained therianthropy to them neither of them bat an eye, just said “well obviously, you’ve always been our dog.” It was such a relief to have that, and the rest has just kinda fallen into place!

This dynamic also brings me a sense of responsibility that I really enjoy. I’ve always felt pride in protecting others, and they trust I will do so for them. They know I will be there to defend them, watch for danger, protect them, and they in turn give me the opportunity to exist how I feel most comfortable and accept me. They even address themselves as my handlers to people! It’s mostly as a funny ice breaker, but a few times it’s had to be used as a warning. Obviously I love the whole “you need to muzzle your dog” trope but I get to be THE DOG !!!!!!

If you feel comfortable enough with someone to take part in this dynamic, then do so! Talk it all out and find what you both want from the relationship. I had never had a handler before I met them, but having handlers has honestly helped me a ton with therianthropy and what it means to me. It’s an honour to know I have people who care for me and love me and it prides me to be their guard dog!

I’ve learned that even if it takes a while and no matter how sappy it sounds, that there are people out there who will accept you, and you in fact can exist in the way you feel most comfortable :)

[theharecares]

Guys I think I might kinda need help with something

So lately when I've been getting shifts it's been... different to say the least. Instead of wanting to hop and feeling compelled to run from things or enjoying chewing on plants or things like that, my shifts have been coming on strong and fast and it feels very carnivorous

Like I get the urge to chase people or things running in front of me, I keep getting weird teeth shifts and it makes me want to chew and tear meat. I want to snarl and I get this feeling that can only be described as a desire to pounce something, I also really want to swim and sunbathe sometimes but I think that's separate

I know that feeling isn't "domestic" because I immediately get this overwhelming thought that if anyone knew I thought that they would think I'm crazy, even though people play things like tag all the time

Anyway, if you relate to the feelings I described, would you please tell me your theriotype and how you figured it out. Prey animal is usually my default setting and I'm getting real confused by this

Making a list of possibilities below!!

Painted wolf (African hunting dog)

Mongoose

Greyhound?

Panther/jaguar

[emotional-fox]

idk if this is just a me thing or a me faking thing (the imposter syndrome lolz) but I’m a contherian* and i don’t always identify too strongly with the animal part of me . like it’s there but it just feels like it takes a backseat. and when i interact with stuff related to my theriotypes like watch nature videos or play with my dog or something the Therian Feeling gets like 80% stronger. like i can feel phantom tail and ears and shit, want to bark, wanna run around on all fours - could just be a shift thing but idk. Help appreciated y’all

*for those unfamiliar, contherian means a therian whose human identity exists at the same time as their therian identity. They are both human and nonhuman at the same time essentially.

[bugsb1te]

Was apart of the petre community longer and way before I was apart of the therian community so I gotchu bro

There's not a lot of resources for specifically pet regression since age regression overlaps with it quite a lot and so it's often paired with agere even if it is it's own thing

General regression definition is that :

Regression is when someone regresses either into a younger mindset or into an animal mindset either to cope with mental disorders or stress or it can be recreational. Regression can be both involuntary and voluntary and regression is always sfw and should not be associated with nsfw at all 🚫

Pet regression is when someone regresses into a more animal like mindstate. It's been described as feeling hazy or like one is in a dream and a lot of behaviors become more primal and tied to instinct where you're no longer really thinking like a human but more animal, not unlike a mental shift actually! But with pet regression it's usually a lot more like- softer sometimes (in my experience, can vary for everyone) and the term is called [xanimal]space or headspace instead of mental shift and you usually feel more younger than what a mental shift would feel (think of pupspace instead of a wolf mental shift). These animalistic behaviors when you're in this softer headspace can mimic other animals and for pet regression in specific, claiming a "pet-type" is taken a lot more casually than theriotypes (usually based off vibes) and so even if you may be a dog therian, you could also regress to a bunny because it just feels nice because one of the biggest reasons other people pet regress is because of the comfort it gives people so if you wanna be a little baby bunny even if it's not your theriotype because it makes you happy then go for it dude!

Also pet regression isn't just limited to domestic animals! I was a dragon regressor (among other things) and I've seen unicorn regressors on reddit

Also unlike mental shifts, most times, apart of the petre community culture is voluntarily inducing the headspace (even if it can be involuntary) by watching cartoons or looking at moodboards of baby puppies or playing puppy games and stuff.

Petre gear is honestly similar to therian gear, you have the ear headpands and the tails and collars are very common. Also chewelry and even actual pet toys. Sometimes, because of the overlap with agere, some pet regressors also use adult deco pacifiers and baby bottles.

There's honestly more I could prolly rant about but I hate being a yapper 😭 so if you have any questions, I'll answer them through ask !

In terms of community, I'd suggest maybe make a sideblog for trying out pet regression (if you want too) and look through the pet regression tags ! The tumblr regression community has always been the most active next to Instagram. There's also ageretwt / petretwt if you wanna try Twitter, also check out r/copingthruregression on reddit too

One more thing is that, because you're a minor, even if petre is mostly populated by others your age range and even if it's a sfw community, please be super careful with weirdos ! Creeps will be in every community so just yea- be cautious ! Not all adults are horrible but basic internet safety 101 and all that. Also if you end up feeling like the petre community is something you wanna delve deeper into than I would recommend not to get a caregiver or a handler just yet (cause of ur age) but it's really up to you, or if you do want to have someone take care of you like that, try and consider a close friend !

But yea that's my yap fest ✌️

HOLY MOLY TYSM THIS WAS SO HELPFUL 😭😭❤️❤️❤️💞💞💞

[kitsune-bones]

Hi, I found your blog scrolling the therian tag, and I was wondering if you had any advice for someone who wants to support a therian in their life? recently my little cousin has begun to identify as therian, and i want to support them. Others in our family are trying to make them stop, and don't hide their shame that my cousin is a therian, and i think that's such a hurtful thing to do to a young person who is just being themself. I want my cousin to know I support and love them as their genuine self, but i will confess, i dont actually know anything about therianthropy (hence the tag scrolling). My research I can do on my own, but since it's not an experience I know, I was wondering if there was anything I should know about how to show my love and support in an affirming way that doesn't seem condescending or like I'm just appeasing them. I want my cousin to know they can trust me and that I'm on their side. Any advice would be appreciated, thank you for being yourself!

Heya!

That really depends on the person I think. Essentially I would just tell them that you support them and ask them what they'd prefer. Most of us just want to feel like we can be ourselves, so being a safe space for them is far and away the best thing you can do.

Maybe you can make jokes about/references to them being their theriotype. Like little light ones - "sorry, [cousin], can't come with; the sign says no dogs allowed" or something like that.

Theming gifts and stuff around their theriotype would also be something you could do. I mean, don't flood them with stuff of just their 'type - that's a bit Much - but think like, things that relate to that 'type's habitat and stuff.

And speaking of, going outdoors with them if you can is probably a good idea, especially if they're a social animal.

Oh and like, snacks similar to their theriotype's diet (though maybe that's just me bc I would kill for someone to offer me inarizushi haha).

Mm, it's hard to suggest more without knowing your cousin at all. Tell them they're safe with you, and ask them what it is they'd like. Might be awkward but I've seen everything from 'treat me like I'm a [kintype] in every way possible' to 'treat me like a normal human and do not make note of my nonhumanity At All', and the stuff in between. I'm just some fox on the internet, no way I can speak for us all ^^

Hopefully that was helpful to ya, and good luck with the research!

[canine-brained]

Heyyy! I don't think my last asks were revived, WHICH IF FINE! (Tumblr has been been not getting my asks through sadly-) But I have TWO dog breeds I think I could be! Though I'm till SO confused Either: Golden Retriever or: Australian Shepard

SO yeah, not quite sure tho, i do KNOW I am a canine. Ugh being a therian who doesn't get shifts for new types is so hard. Like I get plenty of shifts for my other kin types, but whenever I am questioning? noooo anyways how r u doing :0

Ehehe I'm doing quite well!! Right now I'm working on my yarn tail!! :3

Those two theriotypes sound really cool I hope you'll figure it out soon!!! I didn't receive any asks... But I do clearly remember you telling me about you suspecting those two breeds as kintypes-

But my memory is TRASH so I don't know where and when you told me aaa 😭😭😭

Also I'm neither of those two breeds but maybe thinking about your theriotype's personality and urges could help?? Australian Shepherds are very athletic I think? They need to be outside and run around a ton. And golden retrievers are more laid back I think?

Good luck on finding it out!!

[otherkin-confessional]

my doberman theriotype is very connected to my anxiety. I'm not sure why that is, maybe bc of how they're often portrayed as violent, used as guard or attack dogs, and can be a very intense and anxious breed

like– it's not a copinglink bc it's involuntary but it is a way to cope for me

when I'm around people I don't trust, when I'm anxious or irritated, I'm on guard, except instead of guarding an owner I'm loyal to, I'm guarding myself because I'm afraid and I'm angry about it. so I bark and snarl and snap my teeth, even at people who are just trying to help. And all they see is defiance.

I'm that "I get mean when I'm nervous like a bad dog" quote. I just wish people would recognize what my bared teeth and pinned ears mean for once. I just wish someone would care enough to protect me instead, to offer me treats and slowly, gently train the fear aggression out of me. I promise I can learn to be soft again. I swear I'm worth it.

🌌

[a-dog-with-different-paws]

I think when I eventually come out as therian to my mom I'll tell her through text so I don't have to deal with her reaction

If anyone knows any, like, ways to tell her? I'll save some in my notes app for when the time comes

My theriotypes are deer and domestic dog (if I turn out to actually be fictionflicker I will probably never tell her that) if that helps with wording or something

[sable-dream]

hey im like.. *heavily* questioning if im a rat therian, do you know what helped you realize you were a therian..?

for me it was a lot of "these experiences line up with a lot of other therian's experiences" - I had trouble FINDING my theriotype for a while though - several years of looking for it on and off forever because NONE of my nonhuman behaviors lined up until I stumbled into Sables by accident lol.

For that I just kind of Knew. It was like looking at myself in the mirror when I saw a sable for the first time. That's me. That's what I look like, that's what my identity is.

However!

It CAN be helpful to sort of "wear" the identity for a while and see how it feels - I went through a phase of questioning a dog theriotype, and while I did so I called myself a dog, I looked at posts by dog therians, I even made a pair of ears to try on, and it all ultimately ended up not being a theriotype. (I still clung on to it for a while until I started spending more time around dogs which is when I realized 'yeah this isn't me' XDDDD)

If it's an actual theriotype, it'll stick around, if not, it won't. At least that's how it worked for me lol

And be patient too! This kind of stuff can take a long time - for me it was almost a year before I was fully confident with the sable stuff, and it took roughly four months to drop the dog questioning :3