A collar is an object which belongs to the Master, which may or may not be given into the safekeeping of the slave. A training collar is typically the Master’s property. Other collars are treated under the terms they are offered. Typically, an analogy is an engagement ring wherein the collar is a gift to the slave, but she would be expected to return it if she chose to end the relationship. The terms of each full collar are set with the individual who holds it.
Types of Collars
The following are the types of collars which are in use under these protocols:
Collar of Protection – This is a collar which carries no actual obligation. It signifies that the Master has chosen to extend his protection and hospitality to a given slave, but there are no duties or discipline incumbent upon it.
Collar of Consideration – This is a very short term collar which is offered to a slave for specific sessions. It carries no external obligations or commitment outside the scene. It may be physically the same as a Training Collar.
Training Collar – The Training Collar represents a collar which is presented when the Master and slave have worked together, conversed about BDSM, and explored interests, desires, and their compatibility to determine if they are a good match. A vanilla relationship may or may not exist outside of this Collar. The Master typically uses a training collar made of chain with a good quality brass or steel padlock. The training collar is the property of the Master and may or may not be left with the slave.
Collar – There is no specific term for this collar, though it might be called a “Full Collar.” This is a token of a mature relationship in which the slave has established that she is committed to the service of the Master, and the Master has established that he is adequately meeting her needs.
Formal Collar or Presentation Collar – At any point afterwards, a more formal collar may be offered, which carries with it special terms, qualifications, or signifies some specific deepening of the relationship. A presentation collar is not “higher” or “more important” than a full collar. It has been suggested that this collar is like a PhD, in that one can collect any number of them, for different reasons, each significant in itself but no less or more significant than any other.
“Going Out” Collar – A Going Out Collar is not a separate collar in and of itself. Instead it is a substitute for the slave’s principle collar when she is unable to wear it. Situations include social awkwardness, including situations that would be awkward to others, and situations where it would clash with the mood/tone/dress she is expected to present. This collar will typically be a necklace, choker or piece of jewelry. In general, a Going Out Collar is not appropriate to Rigid Protocols, and its presence indicates that one of the Fluid Protocols is in force.
Collar Protocol
The following Protocols may be used when collaring a slave:
Entering Collaring Space – This means any situation in which collaring is imminent, whether it is beside a car, in a mall, or in a house. Conduct in collaring space should conform to Low Protocol or Public Protocol, though there are no explicit rules. The slave should be composing herself in preparation for the acceptance of her collar.
Accepting the Collar – Typically she will either recite a statement that she has learned or written that affirms her desire to serve in the Master’s collar, or she will be asked a question, to which her affirmative answer indicates her desire to receive the collar.
If her collar is in her possession, typically before or as she answers or recites, she will offer it to the Master laid across her hands. The offering should be “open” with the collar lying on her hands, so that the Master does not have to take it from her grasp.
Master will typically raise the collar to his lips though this may be omitted when placing her Going Out collar on her in public depending on circumstance.
He will place his hand on her neck or shoulder to indicate the direction she should turn, typically anti-clockwise. He will extend the collar around her throat. She will not offer any assistance unless requested but will take her hands and sweep her hair upwards to clear her neck so that the collar does not become tangled in her hair. She will keep her hair up until the Master begins to turn her, then release her hair and unless instructed otherwise snap into the appropriate default position for her.
Collaring with a “Going out” collar automatically creates a situation of Low Protocol.
Collaring automatically creates a situation of High Protocol until she is told to relax.
Treatment of the Collar
Any collar should be kept in a safe place, a box or a bag. It should be treated respectfully. Permission to touch or play with her collar is a privilege, and should not be assumed. After sessions, if she is handed her collar that is assumed to constitute permission to handle it or hold it. Between sessions at times she is not otherwise supposed to be wearing it, she should seek her Master’s permission to handle it. This does not include moving it from place to place as necessary or cleaning it, however, it should not be taken out and handled with intent without her Master’s explicit permission either given as a blanket, or on a case by case basis.
Self Collaring
Self Collaring automatically invokes Low Protocol, unless otherwise specified.
There may be times when she is called on to meet her Master already in her collar. This does not occur without an Order, either delivered individually or as a Standing Order. A standing order might be “I wish you to always greet me in your collar.”
Unless explicitly Ordered otherwise, she would wear her going out collar. On any occasion she is to collar herself, she should bring her other collar, in case her Master should intend to switch to that collar later. If she is not able to easily carry it, she may ask her Master his intentions.
“Put on your Collar” is the one Order which she can be given when not collared at all. Any other statement by her Master is a request.
Removing the Collar When Necessary
Her first duty to her collar is to preserve it. It is Master’s property not hers, and she holds it in trust for him when she is wearing it. Therefore it is incumbent upon her to protect her collar at all times. This includes removing it, or if it is locked, requesting that Master remove it, in any circumstance where she feels it may be damaged.
Notably this may include:
- When doing dirty physical work
- When bathing or swimming
In such a circumstance her collar is not “off” she is simply “not wearing it.” She should keep it in the closest location where it will be safe, and put it back on neatly and without any ceremony when she is done with her task or activity. She may or may not need to place it in a container.
It is important to note that during these period she is still “collared” and liable to all the responsibilities of her collar, even though it is not physically on her person.
Removing the Collar at the End of a Session
The collar is removed the same way it is put on. If she keeps the collar, when she is turned back to face Master, she should extend her hands to receive it. The ceremony is over when she is handed her collar. If the Master keeps it, he will typically kiss her forehead or cheek to end the ceremony.