Doggy Style: Everything You Need to Know About this Sex Position

Doggy style is one of the most pleasurable sexual positions if it's done in the right way, always in a safe way and taking into account good communication with your partner.
Doggy Style: Everything You Need to Know About this Sex Position
Isbelia Esther Farías López

Written and verified by the philosopher Isbelia Esther Farías López.

Last update: 26 May, 2022

Almost everyone knows about the doggy style, even if only by name. In this sex position, the rhythm, depth, and movements are almost always guided by the one who performs the penetration, while the other partner simply lets their partner do all the work and enjoys the pleasure.

Although it’s an easy position to perform, sometimes it can be painful, because the penetration is deep. That’s why communication is essential. Here, we’ll tell you everything you should know if this is an unfulfilled fantasy of yours, or even if you’ve tried it before and things didn’t work out as you’d hoped.

What exactly is doggy style?

A man and woman having doggy style sex.

To do it right, one of the partners should go down on ‘all fours’ and the other will stand behind them with their genitals at the height of the hips. You can also carry this sex position out by kneeling behind your partner. Both partners will then perform thrusting movements to try to reach climax.

You can make changes in the sex position if you feel a bit uncomfortable. We recommend that you use your hands to stimulate your partner’s erogenous zones while penetration takes place. As you’ll almost certainly know, the doggy style sex position allows you to have both vaginal or anal sex, and this depends on the habits and tastes of each couple.

Benefits of doggy style

A couple about to have sex.

Although this position sounds very exciting, the truth is that sometimes it can be very painful and unpleasant. To get the most out of it, it’s important to recognise your limits and increase the intensity gradually. If you do it right, you’ll most likely enjoy the following benefits:

  • A good chance of having an orgasm. The movements and intensity can stimulate different erogenous zones. Some people claim that it’s a way to ensure faster male and female orgasm.
  • Experiencing more pleasure, as it allows you to caress the rest of your partner’s body at the same time, such as their clitoris or penis.
  • Helping to promote sexual fantasies and erotic games, both highly recommended to keep the flame of passion alive.
  • The one behind has a complete view of the penetration, which is really exciting. Also, the sense of sight and touch are a great turn on from a very sensual angle.
  • The person being penetrated can relax and express what they feel by means of facial expressions without their partner seeing them.
  • Unlike other sexual positions, neither needs to support the weight of the other on their body.

Disadvantages of doggy style

Beyond its indisputable benefits, as we already mentioned, in some cases it can become painful. It’s not so good for romance, as the partners can’t look at each other in the eye. Nevertheless, the erotic side of it is a complement that they shouldn’t forget; once they try it, they’ll like it for sure.

In addition to this, the person on all fours has little access to their partner’s body. However, if they wish, they can caress their partner’s penis and testicles at the time of penetration. This will also help to make the act even more enjoyable.

What should you keep in mind to avoid pain in doggy style?

A woman saying no to sex from behind.

To achieve true pleasure, both people should be aware of any discomfort and review the position. Quite often, pain can be caused by the penis rubbing or by the depth of penetration.

If you feel any discomfort, it’s best to slow down the pace until both partners feel comfortable. Don’t forget lubricants to facilitate the movements and pleasure. Choose the one that best suits your needs.

A bad position of the back can also cause pain in doggy style. For this reason, we recommend that the person receiving penetration should keep their back straight and raise their pelvis upwards. This simple fact will change the orientation of the vagina or anus and the trajectory of penetration, and can eliminate the pain.

When the pelvises are at different heights, pain can also occur during penetration. Fortunately, the solution is very simple: you just need to put a pillow beneath your knees. In this way, you’ll correct the height and increase the pleasure produced by this position.

Finally, it’s worth mentioning that, although sex is a taboo subject for some, it’s a wonderfully pleasurable experience for most people. Different positions will have those who dominate and those who let themselves be dominated, and that’s fine. If both parties accept this idea, then it’s simply considered to be a pleasurable sexual act which you’ll want to do time and time again.


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This text is provided for informational purposes only and does not replace consultation with a professional. If in doubt, consult your specialist.