Rewards and Punishments:
This has always been a head scratcher for me, it's not that I don't know how to punish or reward.
However punishments and rewards are such an important part of the dynamic in a Master/slave, or Dom/sub relationship that giving them there proper significance is important.
You know the saying the punishment should fit the crime, I think it's true for rewards as well.
Some of this will apply specifically to a Master/slave relationship. These are just examples and you should tailor your own to fit your specific dynamic and personal desires.
So I decided to organize the rewards into different categories, this would show meaning to the slave regarding punishments and rewards. So here is my rewards brake down and there significance, modify as needed.
Rewards
The Basic Reward: This would be things like a pat on the head, or sitting on the furniture, telling her you are proud of her, or calling her a good girl, for some slaves allowing her to give you pleasure, with her body, or having you fuck her with your cock, or sucking you off and giving her your cum. Allowing her to sleep in your bed, or to have a blanket to sleep with. Telling her she can sleep in tomorrow for an extra 30 minutes. Allowing her clothing if she is not normally aloud. For many slaves this is wonderful, it makes them happy. They know that Master is pleased and happy with her.
The Special Reward: These types of rewards are more meaningful, like giving her an orgasm, allowing her to have something special to eat maybe chocolate or ice cream, maybe 3 glasses of her favorite wine or alcohol, allow her to watch her favorite movie with you, cuddling on the couch while you watch something (for me a slave normally kneels at my feet) a special bath that the Master gives her, where he washes her, maybe a massage just for her, maybe you cook her a special meal, or take her out to someplace she likes. These rewards are designed to show her a higher level of your pride and happiness with her and her performance. This shows her you are happy with her submission, obedience, and service.
The Big Reward: This is something that should be very special, this type of reward should be things like taking her to a special restaurant, buying her a special item she as been looking at and desires, like some heels or a collar she has wanted, taking a trip somewhere she likes going, maybe the museum, or a special play, maybe a show or movie. Maybe she has a special skirt or dress she has wanted to buy and ware for her Master but it is costly. Get her a spa day, or a massage treatment, allow her to chose a treat or special favor. Maybe you could give her a fantasy, a scene with all her favorite play, until she passes out form pleasure. These type of rewards show the depth of you pleasure, they have more meaning to her, because you have given your time and thought into giving them. These are strong positive reinforcements, they fill her with joy and deepen her submission. This is something I would use for rarely, placing greater significance to this type of gesture.
One of a Kind Rewards: This can be a Special or Big Reward. This would be things like a special tattoo of her choosing, if she is pierced than it could be some special rings she has always loved. A special collar that has her slave name engraved on it. A request for the day. Maybe a special bracelet or ring that is symbolic to you and her. If she is not pierced and it is within the limits of your slave, you could have her pierced, make getting each area you intend to be pierced into something special. Something that you do over time. Maybe the tattoo shows your ownership of her, like a brand. Maybe a special book for her journal and a special pen to write in it, or maybe a special box to keep it in. my first slave had a collar collection, and I made many of them, she wore her collars everywhere. This should hold a different type of significance, they should tell her she is special, important, that your proud and want her to see it all the time. This will hold great significance to a slave or sub. She will feel joy in these one of a kind things, they are like a special treasure. When she looks at these things she will remember there meaning.
For me the significance placed on these things is important to the dynamic, it fills her needs and feeds her craving, it strengthens you dominance the more meaning you put into rewards and punishments the more effective you training will be and the more she will feel your control. This is in my opinion the most powerful tool a Master has. Rewards show your slave the gentle side of you, your compassion and they let her know how she is doing.
I will add a note here on punishment, I personally believe you should never strike a slave in anger, if you do get that mad you should walk away tell you calm down, after all you slave is likely be expecting to be punished. And if she got you to that point I would think a conversation is necessary to figure out what is going on. On the other hand punishment is meant to be serious, it is for correction and discipline. It should fit the offense or broken rule and it should not be for pleasure, ether for her or you. There is a time and place for play punishments and torture. I am just saying that you know the difference, and should define it to your slave, and if she is playful in that way she will learn the difference between the lines.
I'm sure I could get very creative with the types of punishments I could put one a list, but that is something that each dominant should have. Although if requested I might be willing to write it.
Shadowlord