The Ultimate Guide to Sex Positions: Doggy Style

Let’s talk about sex positions.

Whether you’re starting out with a new partner or looking to spice things up with an old flame, this series of guides is for you. 

Next up, we have another evergreen bedroom move: Doggy Style.

Doggy Style: is a sex position in one person bends over, crouches down on hands and knees, or lies on their front, while their partner stimulates them from behind.

Wikipedia has some frankly bonkers things to say about this position, perpetuating the myths that it’s predominantly cis men who prefer it, and that the so-called submissive receiving partner is passive while being penetrated. Clearly, the writers haven’t been having sex with the right people, because this can be a very mutually enjoyable position for people of any gender, where everyone can get involved with gusto.

Despite the narrow-minded claims floating around, Doggy style has ranked as one of the most popular sex positions for ages. The ancient Romans were down with doggy, referring to it as coitus more ferarum (“sexual intercourse in the manner of wild beasts”). Meanwhile, the Kama Sutra dubbed it the Cow Position. Don’t let any of your preconceptions of cows get in the way here though -- in Vedic tradition, the cow is associated with Aditi, mother of gods and infinity incarnate. That’s a pretty powerful position to be in.

Other popular rear-entry positions include standing, squatting, and spooning, which we have included here as well. Technically, Reverse Cowgirl counts as a rear-entry move too, but we took a closer look at that when we talked about Rider positions. 

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A note on terms:

When discussing penetration, we use the terms “thrusting partner” for the person with the penis (biological or synthetic), and “receiving partner” for the person accepting the act of penetration (vaginal or anal).

It is important to note that being a receiver is not a passive, subservient role. It is an active, enthusiastic role. There is power in choice, and by choosing to invite their partner inside them, the receiver is exercising that power.

Furthermore, the thrusting partner is not just a giver. Of course, they also receive pleasure during the act. But for the sake of clarity and consistency, we have selected these terms for the two sides of the dynamic.

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How to do it:

With both partners facing the same direction, the receiving partner bends over a supportive surface, crouches down on hands and knees, or lies on their front. Their partner then approaches from behind to penetrate or stimulate to the extent of everyone’s desires.

While it’s a team effort as always, this position really opens up the potential for pleasure that the receiving partner. Stimulation for them can come in the form of hand stuff, oral play, vibrators, penetration, double penetration… The access and visibility this position gives to the thrusting partner make for a lot of fun options here.

Reasons we love it:

- Deeper penetration

- Easy access to all the erogenous zones between the receiver’s legs

- Great for anyone new to anal or strap-on play

- An amazing view of the receiving partner’s behind

- Great for oral stimulation (cunnilingus or anal rimming, especially)

- Thurster’s hands are free to hang on to their partner’s hips, explore, or reach around for extra stimulation during penetration

- A fun way to switch up the angles for hand stuff, from fingering to fisting

- Receiver can really push back and help set the pace if they want

- Perfect for receivers who like to be spanked

- For those who like a little more oomph, you can really up the intensity here -- hair pulling, light choking, adding a toy, harder thrusting and receiver push back. Just make sure to ask before trying out any rougher play on your partner!

- Great option for when you don’t have a bed or can’t lie down and need each other Right. Heckin. Now.

Variations to try out

Classic Doggy

With both partners facing the same direction, the receiver gets down on all fours. Their partner approaches and enters from behind.

With the thrusting partner’s hands free, they can reach around to add clit stimulation by hand or with well-placed vibe.

Kneeling

If being on all fours can is hard on the receiver’s hands and wrists, lean up and back until both of you are kneeling comfortably.

What you may lose in range of motion you can make up for in greater intimacy by pressing the receiver’s back to thruster’s front and grinding into one another.

Standing

Both partners are standing. With the receiver bent over a solid surface (bed, countertop, sturdy table, desk, etc.), the thruster approaches from behind.

We love this one because the receiver doesn’t have to hold their weight up, so everyone’s hands are free to do as they please.

Arm Rest

The receiver is propped up by the arm of a couch or armchair. Their partner approaches from behind, either standing or kneeling depending on the space available on your furniture.

The benefits here are similar to standing, in that no one is holding their weight up so they can sink deeper into their enjoyment of the position.

Wheelbarrow

With the receiver in position on all fours, the thruster approaches from behind in a squat and grabs hold of their partner’s hips. The receiver’s hands are planted firmly on the floor and as the thruster rises to a stand, they lift the receiver’s lower body off the ground, as if they’re pushing a wheelbarrow.

This one works best on a hard surface like the floor because the softness of a mattress will have the receiver overextending their wrists. Great for those who like a challenge or like it when their romps double as a workout.

Laying Flat 

The receiver lies flat on their front while the thruster mounts them from behind, aligning their front with the receiver’s back. The receiver’s legs can be spread or squeezed together to alter sensation.

Similar to the Missionary Position, this one demand a little more from the thruster in the way of supporting their own body weight and setting the pace. Highly recommended for receivers who find compression or the weight of their partner on top of them comforting.

Spooning

Both partners lie on their sides in parallel, with the little spoon nestled back into the big spoon’s embrace as they rock together at the desired pace.

As a lower impact option, it’s great for that languid kind of lovemaking before bed or early in the morning when you’re already tucked in under the blankets and want to get a little closer.

Other tips and tricks: 

- Have the thrusting partner slide on a vibrating cock ring, with the vibrator pointing down to optimize clit or perineum stimulation during penetration.

- Position yourselves near a mirror can both see how good you look.

- Kink it up a notch with a blindfold on the receiver to remove visual distraction and enhance sensation. Make sure to set safe words beforehand and play responsibly!

- Penetration doesn’t have to happen. Grinding with clothes on or tribbing (genital-to-genital play without penetration) are great options to tease out new sensations.

- Try slowing it down! It’s easy to go hard and fast in this position, but what happens when you get really slow and sultry in your stroke? Really feel into every inch of each other and see how that changes the vibe.

- Speaking of vibes… There are so many ways to incorporate vibrators in this position, especially for receivers with clits. Either partner can control the vibe, it’s just a matter of figuring out who holds it best in each variation of the pose.

- Feel free to play! Just because something has worked in the past doesn’t mean you have to do that same thing every time. We encourage you to explore. You never know what you might discover about yourself or your partner when you allow yourselves to play without expectation.