Oh, where do I begin.

The cane is a tough one to beat (pun absolutely intended). Whilst it’s not something every submissive enjoys, it’s hard to deny how appealing it is. The fear, the anticipation, the whoosh as it slices through the air… I can certainly see why so many of us go a little weak at the knees.

Caning can be extremely enjoyable, but it can be dangerous if not done correctly. We have to start somewhere, though, and practice is an essential part of learning.

Preparation, part 1

It might look easy, but don’t assume it will come naturally to you. Take some time to hone your technique before trying it out on a person. It might sound silly but practising your aim on a pillow is a really good way to get yourself into the swing of things (yep, the puns just keep coming). Using a feather pillow is great if possible, as you’ll much more clearly see the indentation where your stroke hit. Keep practising until your aim is as close to perfect as you can get it. There’s also nothing wrong with refreshing yourself where your submissive can watch – believe me, it adds to the anticipation.

Preparation, part 2

Warming up is extremely important and will take time. There are very few people who enjoy ‘cold caning’, and your playmate will generally be able to take a lot more if they are prepared. Start with an unrushed bare-handed spanking, moving up to paddles and possibly even flogging if it’s something you both enjoy. It may seem counter-productive to deliver a sustained punishment before a harsher thrashing, but the extra blood flow to the area helps an awful lot in making caning an enjoyable experience for your playmate. As always, communicate before and throughout, as everyone is different in this respect.

Safety

We’ve all seen the pictures online of people who have been tiger-striped from head to toe. It’s important to remember that these kinds of images often aren’t real, and when they are, different sizes/weights of cane have been used in certain areas to ensure safety and prevent horrible things like cracked bones and organ damage. This is definitely not something to be playing around with if you don’t know what you’re doing.

A regular, whippy cane can be used on the buttocks and thighs safely. Aim for fatty areas, never bone. Going too high on the buttocks could be extremely painful for your playmate (and not in a fun way), so keep it to the squishy bits.

Technique

Start slowly; warm up. As you both ease into the session you can increase intensity, always checking in with your playmate to make sure they’re okay. If you’re worried about going too far, give them the control – ask them to say, ‘more please, sir’ for three more strokes, and ‘thank you sir’ when they’ve had enough.

After

Take some time to enjoy those utterly beautiful welts with your lips and fingertips.