Wolf Play involves adopting a wolf persona, frequently expressed through pack-oriented behaviour, more assertive body language and gear evoking a wilder canine. It is often practised alongside or within Puppy Play communities, and can be either a distinct persona or a facet of a Pup's expression.

Wolf personas developed within Puppy Play and adjacent communities as participants sought vocabulary and gear for canine expressions less bound to the domestic-companion register.

Some communities treat Wolf Play as a mode within Puppy Play, while others consider it its own tradition. Both usages are common.