DOGGYSTYLE SEX

Carolyn Busa

writer/comedian and creator of My Sex Project blog

Perhaps one of the most commonly talked about position, doggystyle sex has been labeled everything from comfortable to submissive to boring. Let’s explore.

How Do You Do it?

If you excavate long enough, I’m sure you can find a carving, etching, or hieroglyph depicting nearly every sexual position. But just because fucking is old AF doesn’t mean we’ve been doing it the same all those years.

At its core, doggystyle sex is traditionally a rear-entry position. One person is on their hands and knees while the other is kneeling behind and penetrating, pleasuring, or both. It’s a position that mimics the mating tradition of, you guessed it, dogs. But let’s not kid ourselves — there are plenty of animals who mate in this fashion. Doggystyle could have just as easily been called cat style, bear style, raccoon style. This position is representative of many creatures, even the nocturnal.

Etymology aside, doggy style in the animal kingdom serves a greater purpose. Many mammals, rather, many female animals adopt what is called a lordosis behavior posture when they’re ready to get it on, as well as during the act. Lordosis behavior in the animal kingdom is a body position in which the female presents itself with an arching of the spine and raised hips when a bunch of things like estrogen, ovulation, and pheromones all align (1). Basically, it provides the best position for reproduction.

Humans don’t exhibit lordosis behavior. No scientifically proven position increases our chances of fertilization and reproduction (2). Lordosis in humans is simply an inward curve of the lumbar spine (3). Think of doggy style sex as mimicking this position.

Tips for Pleasure in this Position

Every sex position leaves room for creativity. Your body and the body you are fucking are going to determine how you approach and explore a position. Despite what the indistinguishable characteristics of Barbies and CPR class dummies might have you thinking, our bodies are not exact replicas of each other.

When using doggy style to penetrate someone with a vagina, this position could provide deeper stimulation since there is a better chance it would reach the posterior fornix, the back of the upper vagina, and the g-spot (4). Keep in mind, deep doesn’t always equal better, so talk to your partner first.

Something else to consider when trying to maximize pleasure in doggy style is your body lengths. You’re not always going to align perfectly, especially if you’re 5’8” and your kneeling partner is a giraffe. Try adding pillows. Not only do pillows offer a place to rest your torso, they also provide the needed raise for your bodies to align and get even deeper penetration (5). Also, keep in mind that you don’t have to stick to the traditional all fours/kneeling combination: if it makes sense for the person behind to stand, stand! No one is going to get in trouble for finding what works best for them. Well, unless that’s your kink.

For the receiving partner in doggy style, it may seem like they have no control. However, this person doesn’t always have to be submissive. If interested in taking control, reach behind and grab one or both of your partner’s hands to place them where you want on your body. Not feeling handsy? Grab their hips and make them dance to your rhythm.

Another surprising way to take control on all fours is to, say it with me now: Close! Those! Legs! Okay, that’s only fun if you say it like Ty Pennington moving a bus. But honestly, when the legs and knees are closed, it can make things feel tighter and, therefore, greater. This tighter sensation is great for if you’re using a smaller toy, want to feel fuller if your partner has a smaller penis, or you just want more of that good feeling.

Finally, doggy style is a great position to end on as it seamlessly adapts to tired fuckees. When the arms grow tired in a table position, stretch them out and lean on your elbows. You can also perform doggy style on just about any surface. Find places other than the bed to bend over: tables, desks, couches. Move the fruit and take over that kitchen island, being careful if it’s on wheels, of course. Having so many options can also amp up the excitement.

Variations (Pegging)

As mentioned above, doggy style doesn’t have to always be a penis owner penetrating a vagina owner, and doggy style certainly doesn’t always have to be penetrative. What are some variations of this position?

Doggy style can most certainly be adopted for those wishing to explore anal sex as well as those without penises interested in pegging their partners. Pegging, a term born out of a Dan Savage contest, is when someone is penetrated by someone else wearing a strap-on dildo. Gosh, humans are creative, aren’t we? If you’re looking for vaginal penetration and anal, this is a great position to try anal fingering or using a butt plug if you so please.

During doggy style, the person kneeling behind can also perform oral sex. It offers a great vantage point for exploring cunnilingus as the genitals of your partner are easily accessible, spreadable, and, well, in your face. That’s not to say the fingers won’t be of use. Fingering from behind may create different, better sensations.

Another great thing about doggy style is the freedom it allows for masturbation. The feeling of being penetrated or pleasured from behind can be maximized with the addition of fingers, a hand, or a toy. Sometimes we need it all! Adding something like a hands-free vibrator for that extra stimulation that will have you seeing stars.

Doggystyle vs. Missionary

So if doggy style sex is mimicking the mating styles of dogs, is missionary sex mimicking the mating style of Paul the Apostle? Not quite. We tend to think of missionary position as ‘safe,’ perhaps giving it its sanctimonious name. The most defining feature of missionary is the face-to-face, which, for some, eye contact equals safety, intimacy, and romance.

Society and media may have taught us that missionary position equals love and doggy style doesn’t, but you don’t have to categorize the positions as one or the other. Those intricacies are for you to decide.

The darker side of doggystyle

Word to the wise (or to those with penises pounding in doggystyle). In a study published in the International Journal of Impotence Research, 37 out of 69 (wink, wink) penile fracture cases from sexual trauma occurred in the doggy style position (7). Another study by the International Brazilian Journal of Urology concluded doggy style position was the commonest cause of penile fracture in men who have sex with men (8). Woof. Not to scare you, but just a reminder to keep checking in with your body (bodies) as you go at it, friends!

In Conclusion

Sex positions are like drinking games. Everyone is going to have their own rules and exceptions. Aces can be high or low – and hey! So can doggy style. A position’s name doesn’t dictate how you need to perform. Fuck like a dog, fuck like a cat. Just fuck.

Medically reviewed by: Danielle LeBlanc, RN

All content found on this Website, including: text, images, audio, or other formats, was created for informational purposes only. The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition

References

1. “Hormonal Influences on Female Sex Behavior.” Chapter 3: Hormonal Influences on Female Sex Behavior. University of Michigan, September 22, 1999. https://www.umich.edu/~psycours/531/becker.chapter3.htm.

2. “Optimizing Natural Fertility: A Committee Opinion.” 2013. Fertility and Sterility 100 (3): 631–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.07.011.

3. “Lordosis – Lumbar: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia.” MedlinePlus. U.S. National Library of Medicine, July 31, 2019. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003278.htm.

4. MD, FACP, FACR, William C. Shiel, ed. “Definition of Vaginal Fornix.” MedicineNet, December 27, 2018. https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=8509.

5. “7 Sex Positions for When You’re Exhausted but Still DTF.” Bedsider, February 15, 2019. https://www.bedsider.org/features/1201-7-sex-positions-for-when-you-re-exhausted-but-still-dtf.

6. “Glossary of Sexual Health Terms.” Planned Parenthood. Accessed August 27, 2019. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/glossary.

7. Barros, R, et al. Relationship between Sexual Position and Severity of Penile Fracture. International Journal of Impotence Research, 2017, www.nature.com/articles/ijir201724.

8. Barros, Rodrigo, et al. “Sexual Complications of Penile Fracture in Men Who Have Sex with Men.” International Braz j Urol, vol. 44, no. 3, 2018, pp. 550–554., doi:10.1590/s1677-5538.ibju.2017.0520.