A/B/O and Misce behavior: Romping
What is romping? Romping is a common nonsexual play behavior exhibited by most people in the ‘verse (and by many Misce folks as well!). It is most prevalent in young people, but the behavior doesn’t stop until the person is simply too old to romp anymore. Romping is silly, fun playtime, where two or more members of the same pack engage in energetic activity, such as running together, wrestling, jumping around, and even swimming together if the participating pack members can swim.
Romping behavior starts as a very young child, somewhere between crawling and full walking. Litter mates will roll around together, nipping at each other and rubbing their faces and necks together. As pups get older, romping evolves into running, wrestling, jumping around and on each other, and making friendly and playful vocalizations. This behavior subsides as the child grows into a teenager, but comes back stronger once again as they get older and become full fledged pack members. The reason for this is quite unknown, but it’s possible that teens may still be in their “awkward” stage where they’re trying to find their place in the world and the pack. They may feel embarrassment, which may lead them to subconsciously suppress romping behaviors. This will only last from about the first cycle, between 11-13, to about 17 or 18 years of age.
Romping is a strictly nonsexual behavior. It is often done between lovers or mates, but it is not a precursor to sex. It is also happens between close friends, family members, and other pack mates. It is a unique scenting behavior. Instead of rubbing on each other (called bunting), pack members will activate their scents by vigorous activity and interact playfully with their pack to mix their scents together.
As pack members grow too old to romp, younger members of the pack will still scent with them, usually after vigorous romping with other members.
Romping as a sexual behavior is called “frolicking”. It involves more sexual behaviors, such as rutting, petting, grinding, and biting around the neck areas, as well as licking and bunting around the face, neck, and chest area. Usually, this behavior only happens between bonded mates. Otherwise, it is considered sexual misconduct.
For those unable to romp, such as the disabled or elderly, they still often participate as mentioned above. Other members of the pack will romp, then immediately go and scent the unable so they can participate in the playful activity. The unable will also often make vocalizations to be included in the romp.
The vocalizations performed during romping and frolicking are varied and individual between dynamics and people. Most commonly, they are playful growls, yipping, and making a playful “awr!” sound to goad the other members into playing along. This may be the first type of vocalization young puppies do besides crying.
Frolicking vocalizations will differ from romp vocalizations. During frolics, mates will often growl, chirp, yip, and make a blowing noise called “chuffing” to get the other’s attention. Chuffing is not an inherently sexual vocalization, but it is often present during frolics and mating.
All dynamics take part in both romps and frolics. Parents need not be concerned if one or two members of a litter do not romp as soon as the others; romping development happens randomly to different members of a litter. If your pup does not start to romp before they begin to walk, it is not entirely unusual. Just give them time and even encourage romping and playing by getting down with the pups and beginning to romp gently with them yourself.
Romping will usually end in a preening session, to really spread the scents around between all pack members. Fixing hair, straightening clothes, and brushing off are all normal and socially expected behaviors post-romp.
