6 Doggy Style Sex Positions That'll Make It So Much More Intimate
Just because you're not face-to-face, doesn't mean you can't connect!
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The basic idea of doggy style is that the receiving partner gets on all fours while the penetrating partner goes in from behind. And yes, okay fine, maybe it gets its name from dogs humping, which is not sexy. But despite that…the position itself is actually very hot. These doggy style positions are customizable to whatever you’re looking for—whether it’s something sweet and seriously intimate, more rough and BDSM-y, or just some easy-access anal sex.
“A lot of people like doggy style because it provides a good angle for a partner to penetrate them deeply,” says Suzannah Weiss, resident sexologist for Fleshy. “In addition, some people like that they can feel their partner's balls slapping against their clit when they thrust; it provides some external stimulation along with the internal stimulation from the penis.”
The lack of eye contact in doggy can be a huge plus if you’re shy, neurodiverse, or just want to vibe to your own private fantasy. “Some people feel less self-conscious and more able to focus on the physical sensations when they're not looking at anyone or being looked at,” says Weiss. “Some neurodiverse people prefer this position because they find eye contact overwhelming or distracting. Others just like to be able to fantasize during sex or think whatever thoughts get them off without feeling compelled to focus on their partner.”
Doggy also offers plenty of opportunities for clit stimulation, leaving the receiver with one hand free to rub their clit or use a toy, especially in positions where your weight isn't all on your wrists, says Weiss. Lots of different toys can work, including suction vibes, couples’ vibrators like the We-Vibe Chorus, or pretty much any kind of vibrator.
“When couples ask for toy recommendations, I almost always start with a penis or strap-on ring. They’re easy to add on to any sexual routine without making any significant changes,” says sex and relationships expert at Lovehoney, Jess O’Reilly, PhD., who also recommends the We-Vibe Pivot or Romp Juke.
Here’s the how to do the classic doggy position, plus a few new variations (or shall we say…tricks?!).
The Classic Dog
The receiving partner gets on all fours and the penetrating partner kneels behind to enter. “Use pillows to prop yourself up. Not only will you experience different sensations at different angles, but it can make this position more comfortable for both partners,” says O’Reilly. Make it better with a penis ring for deep, rumply vibrations for both of you. (These vibes, alas, won’t do much for someone wearing a strap-on. Try a wearable strap-on that vibrates in the vagina.)
SHOP NOW We-Vibe Pivot App Controlled Rechargeable Vibrating Cock Ring, $109, Lovehoney
SHOP NOW Eve's Vibrating Strapless Strap-On, $80, Adam & Eve
Down Doggy
If you don’t want to get super athletic, bust out Down Doggy, which Weiss recommends for when you're feeling extra lazy. Just lay on your stomach and you’re good to go—but you might need to stick your butt up a little or put a pillow under your hips or stomach. If you’re too lazy to even rub your own clit (we get that), enlist the help of a vibrator. “You can put the toy under you and grind against it. A couples' toy like the We-Vibe Sync is good for this because it fits inside your vagina, so it'll stay in place. A toy like Wild Flower's Enby that's designed for you to grind against is also great for this position.”
SHOP NOW We-Vibe Sync Lite, $89, Good Vibes
Bent Over Doggy
Bend over a bed or couch and hold the hell on. “This can allow for even deeper penetration while also allowing you to stabilize yourself. Because your partner is standing, they can thrust with a more downward angle, so if you're someone who likes doggy in general because you like the downward thrusting motion, you might like this variation,” says Weiss. This also works for anal sex—either way, slather on the lube.
SHOP NOW Tush Cush, $20, Cake
Doggy Stairs
Feeling brave? “This position is a bit more advanced and adventurous,” says Weiss. The receiver kneels at the bottom of a staircase with knees on the floor and hands on a step. The giver kneels on the floor behind to enter. “This can be a fun way to experiment with different thrusting angles; you can try moving your knees up onto a step if you're feeling adventurous (but exercise caution) or spreading your legs further apart for different sensations. You can put a pillow or blanket below your knees, since the floor and the steps aren't cushiony like a bed.”
SHOP NOW Pillo, $95, Dame
The Slo-Mo Dog
If doggy seems a little impersonal or not exactly intimate, slow it waaaay down. Deliciously long, deliberate thrusts, coupled with an ass massage and gentle clit stroking will help you two feel more connected, like full-on loving humans instead of a couple canines hitting it in the alley.
The Tight Dog
If you’re looking for a tighter feel, have your partner put their legs outside of yours, then press your legs firmly together. O’Reilly recommends adding a clit suction vibrator like the Womanizer Premium II. “It offers the most unique sensation that I’d describe as a cross between suction, vibrations, and pulsations. On its own, it’s an orgasm powerhouse, but if you combine it with penetration from behind, it can lead to more overwhelming orgasms,” says O’Reilly.
SHOP NOW Womanizer Premium II, $199, Womanizer
Jill Hamilton is a contributor for Cosmopolitan.com and writes the blog In Bed With Married Women.
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