Doggy Style: 5 Ways to Improve a Classic Sex Position

How to do the Doggy Style sex position

In the classic version of Doggy, the receiver is on all fours while the giver penetrates them from behind. To make this position more comfortable, the receiver can try different knee placements – either outside or inside the giver’s knees.

Doggy tends to be intense, so lube is important (especially if you’re playing anally). Even if the receiver has a vulva, natural lubrication can vary and tends to dry out. So, grab a good quality water-based lube to make the whole experience wetter and more pleasurable. It’s easy to use lube: simply apply to both partner’s genitals, enjoy, and reapply as needed.

Once in position, Doggy leaves the bottom partner’s erogenous zones free to be teased. The giver might like to squeeze or caress their lover’s body – or hand over the reins and encourage their lover to use a sex toy.

Don’t know how to use sex toys during partnered sex? There’s lots of options with Doggy. Start by tracing a vibrating bullet over the nipples, genitals, or perineum. If the bottom has a vulva, a clit sucking toy will make them howl (in a good way). Either partner might enjoy the feeling of an anal plug on either partner for extra intense stimulation.

Why do people love Doggy?

We asked 2,000 Brits about their sex preferences and 38% chose Doggy Style as their favourite sex position. That’s right, we’re a nation of doggy lovers. But why is it such a classic move?

Well, kneeling on all fours opens the receiver up for deep penetration, which stimulates the G-spot or prostate, and can feel amazing for both partners. It’s definitely one to try if positions like Missionary tend to feel a bit too tight. Bottoms will know; if you arch your back in Doggy, you’ll be able to take your partner even deeper inside you.

Doggy is also super versatile. Experiment with different speeds – or even props – to take this position from slow and sensual to rough and hot. The giver might want to wrap their arms around the receiver, stroke their nipples, or give them a good spank on the behind. That’s for the pair of you to decide.

There’s no eye contact with Doggy, which means you might think it’s less intimate than a face-to-face position. That said, there’s something quite freeing about not worrying what faces you’re pulling in the throes of sex! Some receivers love the feeling of releasing all control while being railed by their partner. Others will enjoy the space to move their own hips or touch themselves with one hand, taking more control over their pleasure.

How to enhance Doggy

Body placements, check. Now, how to make it more enjoyable for you and your partner? Here are some tips to improve sex in doggy:

Use your body and voice to communicate in bed

You don’t always need to use words to find out what your partner likes in bed. "When you're in bed with your partner, look out for positive non-verbal cues,” says sex and relationships expert, Annabelle Knight.

“These might be a little moan or groan, it could be a clenching of the sheets, a curling of the toes, or perhaps an arching of the hips. All of these signs are positive, and let you know that you are on the right track.” If anything causes discomfort, move back into verbal communication and talk to your partner about finding a better alternative.

Stimulate the penis or clitoris (before and during Doggy)

Get each other really aroused before you bend. Foreplay isn’t just fun for its own sake; it also prepares you for penetration by relaxing your body (and lubricating your vulva – if you have one).

Touching each other with your hands, mouth, or toys will get you both turned on and ready for sex. But don’t be afraid to play with your clit or penis while hitting it in Doggy. Or, let the penetrating partner take the lead and touch you while they’re inside you.

For bottoms with a vulva, bringing a vibrator into play might be what tips you over into orgasm. It’s much easier to climax when your clitoris is being stimulated externally as well as internally, especially if you have a toy like the Womanizer Enhance. This innovative toy got 100% orgasm rate in user testing, sending incredible 2-in-1 sensations to the clitoris.

Spoilt for choice? Check out the best sex toys for women

Enjoy nipple play

If your partner enjoys nipple play, show them some love by pinching, grabbing, or touching their nipples during Doggy. They might also enjoy the Love Press variation (see below) where they can feel their nipples grazing the bed. Try a tingling lube on the nipples or use clamps or suckers for extra stimulation.

Experiment with power exchange

Try a wrist-to-tigh or wrist-to-waist belt restraint to constrain the receiving partner’s movement or a collar and a leash to show dominance as you bring them closer to your body. To make this even more exciting, place yourselves in front of a mirror to see what you do to each other while in Doggy.

There’s nothing sexier than seeing your partner enjoy themselves, so make sure this power dynamic is hot for both of you and decide on a safe word before you begin.

Change the leg position

Even a small adjustment can make a big difference to the angle and depth of penetration. For instance, the receiver can raise their knees into a frog-like position and almost squat back onto their partner. The giver can either stand up on the floor or kneel on the bed with their legs inside or out of their partner’s. Play around to find what works for you!

Try double penetration

Doggy is the perfect position to experiment and fulfil your fantasies as most erogenous zones are easily accessible. So, if you want to explore the full-up sensation of double penetration, the Doggy is your best friend.

The giver can either use a double penetration strap-on, such as a vibrating cock ring with anal beads. Or if the giver also has a vulva, they can attach a double penetrating dildo to a harness. Choose the toy that sparks your curiosity and gets you excited to try it as you shop.

But hey, you don’t need toys to make this happen! If you’re both on board with butt play, the giver can slather their fingers with anal lube and slide them in and out of their partner’s anus while they thrust. It’s an amazing visual for the giver and a world of pleasure for the receiver.

Get spanking

The Doggy Style sex position is the entryway to power dynamics. If you find it exciting and want to get more into giving up or gaining control, try some BDSM while in Doggy. The receiver can use a silicone ball gag and the giver can spank them as they penetrate them.

There are different sensations you can get from spanking. For instance, a flogger lets you gently tickle your partner as well as give them hot lashes. Paddles have a more hand-like and stiff spanking feel, riding crops are great for gentle taps or stinging spanks, and ticklers are great for teasing. Which do you like the sound of?

5 Doggy Style variations to try

Good dogs come in all different shapes, sizes and energy levels. The same goes for Doggy Style! There are plenty of variations to keep this classic move interesting.

Here are our five favourite Doggy Style variations:

Try it with or without a pillow below the receiver’s hips to see which angle works best for you.

Love Press is one of the best positions for anal sex, if that’s the way you play. First timers should use plenty of anal lube and go slowly, paying attention to any discomfort.

The giver will feel super dominant, grabbing their partner by the hips and controlling the movement from behind – especially if you’re caught up in the heat of the moment and can’t get to bed. The giver can also experiment with lightly spanking their lover or gently raking their fingernails down the receiver’s back (all with consent, of course).

Who’s on top? If one of you has a penis, switch up the traditional dynamic with a strap-on. Let your lover penetrate you for once, stimulating your prostate for a sensational orgasm. As ever, go slow if you’re a beginner and don’t skip anal lube.

And the receiver can play with their partner’s testicles or perineum if they have a penis.

Note that this position still needs arm and core strength, so don’t overcomplicate things if you don’t have it. There are plenty of other enjoyable positions that are less demanding – like the Love Tug below.

There’s potential for incredible A-spot or P-spot stimulation in The Seated Wheelbarrow, but it’s more of a rocking, grinding position than a frantic thruster. The giver can grip their lover’s hips and thrust from seated, enjoying the view of the receiver's butt cheeks.

As the giver, try playing with your partner’s nipples, testicles, or clit as you penetrate them. Or – why not? Wear nipple clamps to mix romance with a bit of BDSM.

Not the position for you?

We're working to make sure that everyone is represented on our website, regardless of who you love, so we'll be using a variety of gender depictions in our Position of the Week posts. This will include straight, gay, lesbian, and gender neutral couples, but all positions will have details in the description of how to make them work for your own relationship dynamic.