The Ultimate Guide to Sex Positions: Doggy Style | Sex Toys

Let’s talk about sex positions.

Whether you’re just 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 timeless bedroom move: the doggy style.

Doggy style: It is a sexual position in which one person bends over, squats on their hands and knees, or lies on their stomach, while their partner stimulates them from behind.

Wikipedia has some downright crazy things to say about this position, perpetuating the myths that it’s primarily cis men who prefer it, and that the submissive partner on the receiving end is passive while being penetrated. Clearly, the authors weren’t having sex with the right people, because this position can be very pleasurable for people of all genders, and anyone can indulge in it with enthusiasm.

Despite the narrow-minded claims that circulate, the doggy position has long been one of the most popular sex positions. The ancient Romans were adept at the doggy position, which they called coitus more ferarum (“sex in the manner of wild beasts”). The Kama Sutra, meanwhile, dubbed it the cow position. Don’t let any of your preconceived notions about cows get in the way here: in the Vedic tradition, the cow is associated with Aditi, the mother of the gods and infinity incarnate. It’s a pretty powerful position.

Other popular rear entry positions include standing, squatting, and spooning, which we’ve also included here. Technically, reverse cowgirl also counts as a rear entry move, but we took a closer look at that when we talked about Driver positions.

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Note on conditions:

When talking about 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, submissive role. It is an active, enthusiastic role. There is power in choice, and by choosing to invite their partner into themselves, the receiver exercises that power.

Additionally, the thrusting partner is not just a giver. Of course, he or she also receives pleasure during the act. But for the sake of clarity and consistency, we have selected these terms for both sides of the dynamic.

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How to do:

With both partners facing the same direction, the receiving partner leans over a support surface, squats on all fours, or lies on their stomach. Their partner then approaches from behind to penetrate or stimulate according to each partner’s desires.

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

Reasons why we love it:

– Deeper penetration

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

– Ideal for anyone new to anal or strap-on play

– A breathtaking view of the receiving partner’s behind

– Ideal for oral stimulation (cunnilingus or anulingus, in particular)

– Thurster’s hands are free to hold on to her partner’s hips, exploring or reaching out for extra stimulation during penetration

– A fun way to change angles for hand manipulations, from fingering to fisting

– The receiver can really push back and help set the pace if he wants to

– Perfect for recipients 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, thrusting harder, and pushing the receiver back. Just make sure to ask before trying rougher play on your partner!

– Great option when you don’t have a bed or can’t lie down and you need each other. Damn. Now.

Variations to try

Classic dog

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

With the thrusting partner’s hands free, he can move to add clitoral stimulation by hand or with a well-placed vibe.

Kneeling

If being on all fours may be difficult for the recipient’s hands and wrists, lean up and back until you are both kneeling comfortably.

What you may lose in range of motion, you can make up for in greater intimacy by pressing the back of the receiver against the front of the thruster and rubbing against each other.

Standing

Both partners are standing. With the receiver leaning over a solid surface (bed, worktop, solid table, desk, etc.), the propeller approaches from behind.

We like this one because the receiver doesn’t have to support its weight, so everyone’s hands are free to do whatever they want.

Armrest

The receiver is wedged on the armrest of a sofa or armchair. His partner approaches from behind, 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 in the air, allowing you to sink deeper into the pleasure of the position.

Wheelbarrow

With the receiver on all fours, the thruster approaches from behind in a crouching position and grasps his partner’s hips. The receiver’s hands are planted firmly on the ground, and as the thruster rises to a standing position, they lift the receiver’s lower body off the ground, as if pushing a wheelbarrow.

This type of exercise works best on a hard surface like the floor, as the softness of a mattress will force the receiver to extend their wrists. Ideal for those who enjoy a challenge or who like their romp to double as a workout.

Laid flat

The receiver lies on his stomach while the thruster mounts him from behind, aligning his front with the receiver’s back. The receiver’s legs can be spread or closed to vary the sensation.

Similar to the Missionary PositionThis one asks a little more of the thruster in how to support their own body weight and set the pace. Highly recommended for receivers who find the compression or weight of their partner on them comforting.

Spoon

Both partners lie on their sides in parallel, the small spoon nestled in the large spoon’s embrace as they rock together to the desired rhythm.

As a low-impact option, it’s ideal for that kind of languid lovemaking before bed or early in the morning when you’re already snug under the covers 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 downward to maximize clitoral or perineal stimulation during penetration.

– Stand near a mirror to see how beautiful you are.

– For an even more fun game, put a blindfold over the receiver’s eyes to eliminate visual distraction and enhance the sensations. Be sure to set safe words in advance and play responsibly!

– Penetration is not mandatory. Rubbing with clothes or tribbing (genital to genital play without penetration) are great options to discover new sensations.

– Try to slow down! It’s easy to go fast and hard in this position, but what happens when you get really slow and sensual in your movement? Really feel every inch of each other and see how it changes the mood.

– Speaking of vibrations… There are many ways to incorporate vibrators into this position, especially for recipients with clits. Either partner can control the vibration, it’s just a matter of who holds it best in each variation of the pose.

– Don’t be afraid to play! Just because something worked in the past doesn’t mean you have to do the same thing every time. We encourage you to explore. You never know what you might discover about yourself or your partner when you allow yourself to play without expectations.