The Secret Life of the Human Pups talking points

Documentary about men who pretend to be dogs proved heartbreaking at times

1. A documentary about people dressing as puppies was every bit as weird as you'd expected: It sounds barking mad: a community of grown men squeezed into latex puppy outfits and munching doggie treats in their spare time. But this respectful portrait of the UK's flourishing "puppy play" scene (10,000 members and counting) avoided the obvious temptation to present participants as tail-wagging freaks.

Indeed, viewers whose curiosity was piqued by the earlier appearance of prominent puppy player Tom Peters in full Dalmatian costume on ITV's This Morning (he obviously was not permitted on the couch) may have received more than their bargained for. This was a strange world, to be sure. But by the end you could understand - a bit - why shy individuals, often bullied through childhood, might crave the straightforwardness of the canine life. Chasing rubber balls, barking at buses, munching snacks from a bowl - it's not for everyone but to enthusiasts the lifestyle brought a sense of belonging and peace of mind.