SEX POSITIONS
Doggy Style Position: How to ACTUALLY Make it Feel Good
Published: JUNE 20, 2022
| Updated: JUNE 21, 2022 02:46:41
You might think there isn't much to the doggy style position—but that couldn't be further from the truth. With a little creativity and some handy-dandy sex toys, you can explore nearly endless variations.
Ready to make doggy style feel good?
If you're already a doggy style master, look at this article for new tips to take back to the bedroom. If you've never quite fallen in love with this from-behind position, though, let's see if we can give you the tools you need to make doggy style a feasible erotic option for you.
But first, let's cover the basics:
What is Doggy Style?
![diagram of the doggy style sex position - a rear-entry sex position in which the receiving partner crouches down on all fours.]()
At its most basic, doggy style is a from-behind sex position. The receiving partner will be on their hands and knees while the penetrating partner gets behind the receiver's hips, on their knees, to penetrate from behind.
Depending on the two partners' heights, the receiving partner may need to bring their knees closer together—or further apart—to get their hips at the optimum penetration angle.
But, as you're about to find out, this is the most basic definition for doggy style—and there are lots of ways to do doggy style that don't follow this very-basic script.
READ: How to Make Trying New Sex Positions Your Next Big Sex Adventure.
Why Do People Like Doggy Style?
When most people talk about doggy style, they're asking: "Why do men love doggy style?" while pondering what might make a penetrating partner fall in love with this sex position.
And the short answer? It depends! Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of reasons why people love this position:
It Provides A Great Visual
In the doggy style position, the receptive partner's butt is fully on display in a way that isn't possible with Missionary or many other common sex positions. Especially for a penetrating partner who is an ass fetishist, this can be huge!
It Makes Deep, Slow Penetration Easier
Doggy style sex positions also allow for deep and easy penetration. The hips are right there for easy grabbing and leverage, and the position of your bodies makes it easy to penetrate deeply. More sensation for every inch of the penis? That's a "yes, please" for many penis owners.
READ: Switch It Up: 7 Awesome Penis Masturbation Techniques.
Doggy style sex positions also have the benefit of facilitating slow, patient penetration. In traditional doggy style positions, neither partner is trying to hold an awkward, difficult, in-between position while trying to penetrate. One partner is on all fours and the other is simply kneeling. Especially for beginners to anal sex or those who need it slow for comfortable intercourse, doggy style allows for super-slow, patient penetration to easily happen with no strain on either partner's end.
It Can Help Hit the G-Spot or P-Spot
Receiving partners can fall in love with doggy style as well! Because of the penetration angle and the position of bodies, doggy style can make it easier to hit the g-spot or the p-spot during intercourse. This can lead to an explosion of fantastic feelings—and can be much easier than trying to pretzel into some of the other "hit that spot!" sex positions like the Viennese Oyster, the Hang Ten and the Pancake with a Pillow positions.
It Leaves Space for Sex Toys
Doggy style also leaves a lot of space for the receiving partner to use sex toys—even toys as large as wand massagers! This can make it simple to add multiple levels of stimulation to help ensure both partners come away from the experience with the pleasure (and orgasms!) they want.
It's Pretty Primal
For both partners, doggy style's "animalistic" taboo nature can be a big appeal as well. (It's called "doggy" style for a reason!) Without face-to-face contact and with a sole focus on the connection between your hips, this sex position can feel very primal. While it doesn't have to be, doggy style can also feel impersonal—which some kinky people love to use to their advantage in their ravishment scenarios.
It Leaves Room for Kinky Extras
Things like hair-pulling or spanking are easy to incorporate into doggy style sex. Doggy style positions also film really well: The space between bodies makes it easier to get "action shots" (if that's your jam) and the basic shapes the bodies are in make it easy to quickly understand, visually, what's going on in your shot.
(Plus, doggy style is an A+ position for when you don't want close-contact sex—like when dealing with sweaty bodies after a workout or morning breath!)
Does Doggy Style Make Your Butt Bigger?
It can be tempting to think that doggy style will make your butt bigger. But nope, sorry. It doesn't.
That said, doggy style does make the butt appear bigger to anyone behind you because of the magic of proportions. Gravity will drag the receptive partner's abdomen (everyone has at least a bit of skin or fat here!) towards the ground and away from view. Simultaneously, the way you're bending over stretches out the butt—and together, these factors make the butt appear bigger and (for many) the waist appear smaller (which also makes the butt appear bigger!)
This magic only works for anyone viewing your butt from behind—whether that's in a doggy style sex position or a butt selfie.
READ: An Etiquette Guide for Sending and Receiving Nudes.
(If you actually want to add some muscle to that booty, the starting position for doggy style is the same starting position for a lot of glute-building body weight exercises like leg lifts, leg pulses, hamstring curls and "dog pees" movements.)
Why Does Doggy Style Hurt?
Doggy style sex does not have to hurt.
Let me reiterate that again: Doggy style sex does not have to hurt.
There are modifications to doggy style—which we'll get to in a second!—that can help you honor the bodies you're in today and reduce pain points.
Here are some common causes of pain causes during "stereotypical" doggy style:
- Deep Penetration. Doggy style, especially if you enjoy rough sex, can allow for deep penetration. Depending on how your bodies match up, this can actually be painful—and go too deep! A quick solution to this is to simply slip the OhNuts onto the penis or strap-on before penetration to help prevent the penetrating partner from accidentally going too deep. You can also explore different doggy style variations—like the ones below—to see which options reduce the depth of penetration.
- Knee Pain. When you're on your knees, all of your body weight is dispersed between your wrists and your knees. For those with knee concerns, this is a pain point waiting to happen; that's a lot of direct pressure on the knees! To help reduce this, when choosing how to do doggy style for that day, choose a position that reduces body weight on the knees and ensure you're having sex on soft surfaces. While you might assume your bed is a "soft surface," a firm mattress and/or mattress coils can actually mean that isn't the case. So don't be afraid to add folded blankets, sex furniture or pillows.
- Back Strain. Both sides of the doggy style equation can put a strain on the back; the penetrating partner will be stretching their back with each thrust while the receiving partner's back is fighting the effects of gravity. To remedy this, the penetrating partner can be mindful of how they're thrusting or swap to a standing doggy variation to allow the quads to add in the movement. The receiving partner can add sex furniture underneath their abdomen to help support their body weight or experiment with different doggy style position variations to find the one that feels the most comfortable for your backs.
READ: The 10 Best Sex Positions for Back Pain.
If these simple modifications aren't making doggy style more comfortable for you, don't fret: There's no reason you have to do doggy style at all! Consider a different from-behind position if you want the benefits of doggy style without the pain.
(You can also select any sex position out there! There's no reason to stick with doggy style if it isn't working well with your bodies.)
Doggy Style Position Variations to Try
Now that you have the basics, let's jump into the meat of how to do doggy style. In other words, here's a (non-exhaustive) tour of the different ways to do doggy style:
(You should note, though, that the definition of doggy style can be a bit vague. What, exactly, makes up a doggy style position? Does it have to have "doggy" in the title? Do knees need to be at a 90-degree angle? For this article, I required the penetrating partner to be entirely behind the receiving partner with no limbs underneath the receiver, like the Galley position portrays, and with no eye contact easily possible.)
OK, let's dive in:
![Stand down boy position - the receive bends over on the edge of the bed, feet and shins hanging off it, the giver stands against it and thrusts]()
This familiar take on the doggy style position takes your stereotypical kneeling doggy style and brings it onto an elevated surface. This change of scenery allows the penetrating partner to stand—which can make doggy style more accessible to penetrating partners who may have knee or back pain.
READ: Top 5 Ways to Make Your Sex More Accessible to Your Disabled Lover.
This change of scenery can also make the fun of doggy style accessible to couples of discordant heights. Thigh length and hip height doesn't matter to achieve the right angles here; you simply need to find a different piece of furniture for the receiver to kneel on if the height isn't the right height to achieve penetration.
This option also makes it easy to explore anal or vaginal penetration without the limitations of the usual angles. Simply find a taller—or shorter—surface for the receiving partner to be able to reach the areas and internal zones you want to hit.
Why To Try It
Taking this position onto a piece of furniture reduces strain on the back and knees for the penetrating partner—and it makes it easier to achieve for partners of differing heights.
Why Not to Try It
Because the penetrating partner has their full body available as leverage for thrusting, this position can quickly get too deep. Ensure open communication or use penis limiters to avoid hurting the receiving partner.
How to Make it Better
Short on perfect-height furniture? The Esse Chaise or Equus Wave might be a good fit.
![Turtle Sex Position. The receiving partner gets on their knees and places their head on the floor while curling up as tightly as possible. The penetrating partner kneels behind them and slides inside.]()
With a simple change of the receiver's torso, you have an entirely new position—and an entirely new angle to explore. As the receiver wraps into themselves, it can make the vaginal (and anal!) canal feel shorter, and tighter, for a completely different sensation for both partners.
Simultaneously, this position takes the receiver's hands out of the picture. That can make it a great option for receivers who need extra stimulation for orgasm. A sex toy (like a penis stroker or clitoral vibrator) can easily enter the picture here without interrupting the sex position in the slightest.
Why to Try It
If you want to make it easy to use sex toys on the receiver, and a tighter and shorter sensation during penetration, this position could be a great fit!
Why Not to Try It
Without hands to support the receiver's upper body, the receiver's face and chest can compress into the surface beneath them. This may be extremely unpleasant for those with breathing concerns or claustrophobia.
How to Make it Better
Add a clitoral vibrator, penis stroker, or penis vibrator for the receiving partner. The penetrating partner's free hands make it easy to use a toy on the receiver!
![The Hinge Sex Position: The receptive partner is on all fours with their forearms on the ground while the penetrative partner kneels behind them, with one foot on the ground and the other knee on the ground, for penetration.]()
From the "standard" doggy style position, the receiving partner will drop onto their forearms and the penetrating partner will place one foot flat on the ground to the side. With those two simple changes, you instantly have the Hinge position.
And the Hinge Position makes for deeper penetration for couples who want to get as close as possible. The receiver's tilted helps help spread their ass cheeks and make the anus and vagina even more accessible while the penetrating partner's now-moved leg leaves less flesh in the way of penetration. It lets you pull every centimeter of potential closeness!
READ: 5 Intimate Sex Positions Designed to Bring You Closer (Literally!)
Why to Try It
The Hinge position offers deeper penetration than standard doggy style.
Why Not to Try It
If you don't like deep penetration, this position may not be for you. Also, these angles can place more strain on both partner's backs.
To get the deep penetration you're going for here, the penetrating partner needs to have good hip mobility to get the standing knee into place—if you aren't very bendy, this one may be better to skip.
How to Make it Better
With the Cowgirl sex machine's powerful vibrations, this position can be extra exquisite!
![Backdoor Position. The receiving partner is on all fours with their legs spread. The penetrating partner comes in between their spread legs and penetrates their partner from behind.]()
Easily overcome angle issues with the Backdoor position. Simply have the receiving partner spread their knees out to the side and come down onto their forearms to instantly bump up the height of their hips for intercourse. This can especially be helpful for couples looking to enjoy anal sex because it brings the anus into a lower position for penetration.
Why to Try It
The Backdoor position can help adjust your body angles, making penetration easier for couples whose bits and pieces may not line up ideally during "standard" doggy style sex.
Why Not to Try It
The thrusting motion, partnered with the large spread of the knees, can really put a strain on the receiving partner's thighs and knees.
How to Make it Better
With a couple's cock ring (like the Fun Factory NOS or MysteryVibe Tenuto) added into the mix, you'll have additional vibrating mechanisms pointing towards the floor which can help provide sensation to both partners.
![Magic Mountain Position. The receiving partner leans forward onto a stack of pillows (or, as pictured, a foot rest). The penetrating partner wraps their body around the receiving partner for full skin-on-skin contact during intercourse.]()
Magic Mountain centers around a piece of sex furniture to help support your bodies. By leaning on top of a sturdy piece of furniture, you can reduce the strain on both partner's knees and back. At the same time, the addition of the penetrating partner's upper body on top of the receiver's body can offer much-desired skin-to-skin contact to make this variation feel more intimate than other options.
Why to Try It
Leaning onto a piece of furniture alleviates some of the pressure on the knees and provides for a lot of skin-to-skin contact.
Why Not to Try It
The closeness and weight on top of the receiving partner can be unpleasant for some, and larger bodies may find it difficult to get the space they need to honor their bodies.
READ: 6 Sex Positions Made for Big, Beautiful Bodies.
How to Make it Better
Try this position with the Orion VibePad 2 or the Wild Flower Enby resting on top of the furniture so that the receiver can grind against it.
![Flat Doggy Style Position. Doggy style but receiving partner is lying flat with her bum in the air.]()
From your "standard" doggy style, simply have the receiver slide forward, resting their chest onto the surface below, and popping their hips high in the air. Now you have the Flat Doggy Style sex position!
Not only does this change the angle of intercourse—and how penetration will feel—but it can also change the pressure points on the knees.
The Flat Doggy Style position is a favorite among receivers who like to feel "taken." As this position puts the hips high in the air and right into the penetrating partner's face, it can feel very vulnerable and exposing. Simultaneously, the angle of penetration means that most thrusts will cause the receiving partner to rock forward into the bed, which can feel very passionate.
Give it a try if those sensations are of interest!
Why to Try It
This position places the receiver in a very vulnerable-feeling position, which can be desirable for receiving partners who like the feeling of being "taken."
Why Not to Try It
With the change in angle, the Flat Doggy Style position places even more strain on both partners' backs.
How to Make it Better
Try adding a Liberator Humphrey and Tenga Spinner or Magic Wand Mini (or another wand massager!) for the receiver to grind against during intercourse.
![diagram of the leapfrog sex position - the receiving partner kneels down and lowers their forearms and head onto the bed and raises their rear to be penetrated from behind by their kneeling partner.]()
Think of the Leapfrog sex position as a great alternative to the Flat Doggy. The simple change to the penetrating partner's position (upright and supporting their own weight as opposed to leaning into the receiver's hips) can change the position's entire feel.
Opting for the Leapfrog position can be a great fit if the receiver doesn't want to feel "taken"—or if you'd like to reduce the weight pressing onto the receiver's hips. As this position also reduces the strain on the penetrating partner's back—and the toll on their upper body strength—it's also sustainable for longer periods of time compared to the Flat Doggy sex position.
Why to Try It
Similar to the "standard" doggy style position, the Leapfrog position has both partners upholding their own body weight with minimal need to uphold their partner's weight. This can be great for avoiding additional strain—especially on the receiver.
Why Not to Try It
The tilt of the receiver's hips required to make penetration possible can cause a lower back strain and be tiring after awhile.
How to Make it Better
Add a u-shaped couple's vibrator. Dual-ended vibes like the Rocks-Off Cocktail or We-Vibe Chorus can make it easy to add pleasure for both partners without interrupting play.
![Kneeling Fox Sex Position. Both partners are kneeling, one behind the other, facing the same direction. Partner in back is penetrating partner in front with arms around their waist.]()
By simply changing the angle of doggy style, the Kneeling Fox offers shallower penetration—a complete change of where the penis or strap-on will hit during intercourse. At the same time, by using the full shin to support weight (versus simply the knee), this doggy style variation can provide some relief for couples with certain types of knee pain.
Even if you're enjoying other doggy style sex positions on this list, the Kneeling Fox makes a fantastic transitional position. Both partners simply sit back, and you're instantly in the Kneeling Fox. If you love mixing it up with regular position changes, this can make the Kneeling Fox a golden goose in your repertoire of sex positions.
Plus, at any point, either person can sit upright and easily transition into the Sexy Avocado position—leaving their hands free to stimulate the receiver's clitoris or penis!
READ: How to Charm a Clitoris.
Why to Try It
If you're looking for a simple fix that can reduce the depth of penetration, and reduce some of the weight being carried by the knees, the Kneeling Fox could be for you.
Why Not to Try It
Depending on the type of knee pain you have, bending the knees with your full body-weight on top may be extremely uncomfortable.
How to Make it Better
Add a strap-on harness and dildo. This position makes double penetration extremely easy and it's an accessible position even if you've never strapped on a toy before. With the grinding motion, the Wet for Her Fusion or the BumpHer can be a great fit on the base of the dildo for added stimulation.
