It is the most-searched position on the internet. Seriously. Every year, data from sites like Pornhub and various sex-health surveys confirm that when people think about "classic" sex, their minds go straight to rear-entry. But honestly? Most people are just winging it. They're sore. Their knees hurt. The angles are off. If you've ever wondered why it feels amazing one day and totally clunky the next, it’s usually because of the physics.
Most advice on how to do doggy position treats it like a simple "get on all fours" instruction. That’s boring. It’s also a recipe for a cramped lower back. To really get it right, you have to understand pelvic tilt and the way different heights affect the experience. Sex educator Emily Nagoski, author of Come as You Are, often talks about the "context" of pleasure—and the physical context here is all about the spine.
🔗 Read more: Calories in 1 cup cottage cheese: Why this lumpy snack is actually a protein powerhouse
The basic setup (and why it fails)
Start on the bed. One person on hands and knees, the other kneeling behind. It sounds simple. But then the slipping starts. Or the "bottom" partner feels like they’re doing a plank workout instead of enjoying themselves.
If you want to stay comfortable, you’ve gotta find your "neutral" spine. If the receiving partner arches their back too much—think "cat-cow" yoga pose—it changes the vaginal canal's angle. Sometimes that’s great for G-spot stimulation. Other times, it just leads to cervical bumping, which can actually be pretty painful for a lot of people.
Communication is everything. You can't just dive in. You've gotta talk about where the pressure is hitting. A little bit of "up a bit" or "lean forward" goes a long way.
Adjusting the angles for better sensation
Let's talk about pillows. They aren't just for sleeping. If the receiving partner puts a firm pillow under their chest, it drops their shoulders and raises the hips. This creates a "downward" slope. For the penetrating partner, this means a deeper reach without having to work as hard.
- The Flat Dog: Instead of staying on hands, the receiving partner drops to their elbows. This is a game-changer. It lowers the torso, tilts the pelvis back, and often makes the fit feel "snugger."
- The Standing Variation: Use the edge of the bed. If one person stands on the floor and the other leans over the mattress, you get way more stability. Plus, no knee pain.
- The "Lazy" Dog: Both partners lie flat on their stomachs, with the penetrating partner on top. It’s technically rear-entry, but it’s much more intimate and involves way more skin-to-skin contact.
What the "experts" don't tell you about depth
There is a huge misconception that deeper is always better. It isn't. According to a study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, many women report "deep dyspareunia" (painful deep penetration) during certain phases of their menstrual cycle because the cervix sits lower.
If you're learning how to do doggy position properly, you need to know about the "shallow" technique. You don't always have to go full-depth. Short, rhythmic strokes against the entrance—where most of the nerve endings are located—can actually be more intense than bottoming out.
Dr. Beverly Whipple, who helped popularize the term G-spot, often noted that the anterior wall of the vagina is where the magic happens. In doggy, the angle naturally hits that wall. If the partner behind leans forward and puts their weight on their hands, they change the "arc" of entry. It’s a subtle shift. Try it. Move an inch forward or back and see how the sensation flips from "fine" to "whoa."
Dealing with the logistics
Let's be real: the "queef" or vaginal flatulence. It happens. It’s just air. When you're in a rear-entry position, the movement acts like a literal pump, pushing air into the vaginal vault. When the seal breaks? Noise.
If you're embarrassed by it, you're overthinking it. It’s just biology. To minimize it, keep the penetration consistent rather than pulling all the way out every time.
And then there's the "where do I put my hands?" dilemma. For the person behind, you have options. You can hold the hips for leverage. You can lean over and plant your hands on the bed next to their hands. You can even reach around. Just don't just stand there like a statue. Use your hands to create a sense of enclosure.
The emotional side of rear-entry
Some people find this position "dehumanizing" because there’s no eye contact. Others find it incredibly liberating for that exact same reason—it lets them focus purely on the physical sensation without the "performance" of facial expressions.
If you miss the connection, use a mirror. Seriously. If you have a full-length mirror, doing it in front of one adds a visual element that replaces eye contact. It’s a different kind of intimacy. You're watching the act together.
Health considerations and safety
Check your knees. If you have any kind of joint issues, doing this on a hard floor or even a soft mattress can be brutal. Use a yoga mat or extra blankets.
Also, watch the "rebounding." Because this position allows for a lot of power, it’s easy to get carried away. If the receiving partner starts feeling a sharp pain in the lower abdomen, stop. It’s likely just the angle hitting the pelvic wall or the cervix. Adjust the tilt. Lean forward. Shift the weight.
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Locking your elbows: This leads to arm fatigue in about three minutes. Keep a slight bend.
- Holding your breath: People tend to hold their breath when they're focusing on the "rhythm." Don't. Oxygen makes orgasms better.
- Ignoring the clitoris: This is the big one. In standard doggy, the clitoris gets almost zero direct stimulation. The partner in front should use their own hand, or a toy, to bridge that gap.
Actionable Steps for Tonight
If you want to master how to do doggy position tonight, don't just go for the standard version. Start by having the receiving partner lie completely flat on their stomach with a pillow tucked under their hips. Have the penetrating partner kneel over them. This "Prone Bone" variation is a much gentler entry point into rear-entry play.
Experiment with the "V" shape. If the person in front keeps their knees together, it creates a much tighter sensation. If they spread their knees wide, it allows for deeper, more blunt penetration. Move back and forth between these two settings to find what works for both of you.
Focus on the rhythm. Instead of fast and frantic, try slow, grinding circles. It sounds weird, but the pelvic rotation in this position can hit spots that straight-in-straight-out thrusting completely misses.
Finally, remember that sex is supposed to be fun, not a gymnastic routine. If someone gets a cramp, laugh it off. Shift into a different position for a minute and then come back to it. The best "expert" tip is simply to stay present in your body rather than worrying about whether you look like a movie scene.
Key Takeaways
- Pillows are essential: Use them to adjust the hip height and save your lower back.
- Elbows over hands: Dropping to the elbows usually feels better and offers more stability for the partner in front.
- Don't forget the "front": Use hands or toys to ensure the clitoris isn't being ignored.
- Communication is the only way: Small shifts in angle make the difference between pain and pleasure.