I think it’s safe to say that most of the sex I’ve had has been in doggy style position. Doggy isn’t the only way I like to have sex, by any means. The first time I had sex I hopped on top of my then-partner, and it was pretty great. On top of that (ha), my most recent ex-boyfriend did a great job of showing me just how intimate and downright sexy missionary position can be. That said, when I’m properly aroused, doggy style is hands-down my favorite sex position. So if you’ve never tried doggy style, or you haven’t tried it in a long time, then you might want to try doggy style in 2017.
If my personal experiences with “getting it from behind” aren’t compelling enough to convince you that doggy style is worth trying, you don’t have to take my world it. Fortunately for all of us, Angela Skurtu, a licensed sex therapist, speaker, author, and president of St. Louis Marriage Therapy, LLC, happily took the time to talk to Bustle about why you should try doggy style this year.
Here’s what a literal sexpert has to say about the reasons you should try doggy style in 2017.
Doggy Style Can Be Intimate
If you've only experienced doggy style vicariously through porn, then I wouldn't blame you for assuming that this is the least intimate position in which to bang. Doggy style doesn't always have to be hard, fast, or impersonal, though. Actually, Skurtu says doggy style can be just as intimate as any other position if you and your partner want it to be. "I think it helps if there is more intimate touching during this type of sex," Skurtu tells Bustle. "She can turn her head and look back at him if she is flexible enough, or if they are in front of a mirror, they can look at each other's eyes this way. All very intimate and sweet."
Skurtu says whoever is doing the thrusting during doggy can gently rub their partners legs and back while they're at it, and whoever's on all fours can assume a more active role by reaching between their own legs to cup their partner's balls or touch their clitoris. So basically, just like with anything else pertaining to sex, the intimacy of the experience depends on the couple.
It Doesn't Have To Be "The Main Event"
Personally, I've never been able to orgasm from penetration alone. So as much as I typically enjoy doggy style, I've literally never come in this position. It's not impossible for a woman to orgasm from doggy style, though. According to Skurtu, "You can get a G-spot orgasm this way, but 70 percent of women do require direct clitoral stimulation to get an orgasm."
If you're part of the 70 percent of women, this doesn't automatically mean you and your partner(s) won't enjoy incorporating doggy style into your sex life. (Which is also a good sex position for clitoral access if you're using your hand or a toy at the same time.) "You can start with doggie and then move to woman on top (forward facing cowgirl is the best for a girl to get an orgasm during penetrative sex)," Skurtu says. "Or, he can finish doing doggie, and then finish her off by doing oral sex until she orgasms too." Variation is part of good sex. So even if doggy doesn't make you orgasm, that doesn't mean you won't have fun with it.
Doggy Style Allows For Deeper Penetration
Skurtu says some people don't feel like their penis is long enough to make doggy style work for them or their partners. That said, if size isn't an issue, doggy style does help you penetrate a little deeper. So if your partner is well-endowed, or even average-sized, doggy will probably allow them to get deeper than most positions would. And if your partner's rocking a sizable strap-on instead of an actual dick, then you can count on them to penetrate super-deep when you're doing doggy.
Doggy Is Also Great For Receiving Cunnilingus & Analingus
Not all woman enjoy oral sex, and that's OK. Personally, though, I love oral sex. Cunnilingus is one of the few ways that my partners can actually make me come, and I think analingus just feels good. If you can relate, then you might want to try receiving oral while you're on all fours. As Skurtu puts it, "Being on all fours, and then sitting a vagina or butt on the face, is a great way to experience cunnilingus or analingus." Speaking from personal experience, I can confidently back her up on both counts.
If You Didn't Enjoy Doggy In The Past, That Doesn't Mean You Won't Now
If you've had doggy-style sex before and you didn't like it, that doesn't mean you won't like it now. Skurtu points out that everything from penis-size to angling can make doggy style uncomfortable sometimes and not others. Plus, there's more than one way to doggy. "Some people don't like doggy style when they are fully up on all fours, but if the chest is down on the bed, then the same position feels nicer (you can also hold a pillow and lay on this)."
Skurtu says doggy style can also be way more fun if you do it in front of a mirror, and I happen to agree with this. If there's no mirror to catch your naked reflection, doggy style doesn't offer the sexiest point of view for whoever's being penetrated. So if you want to give doggy style another shot, Skurtu says a strategically-placed mirror is a must. "Sometimes, sex is about feeling gorgeous. If you see yourself in the position and realize how good you look, you may enjoy it more."
Doggy Can Spice Things Up For You & Your Long-Term Partner(s)
If you and your partner have been sleeping together for awhile, Skurtu says trying out doggy style could help you both spice things up in the bedroom. "A lot of what helps couples spice their love life up is just trying something slightly new, like a different position or even a different location — the couch, the car, etc."
Skurtu also says that doggy is the ideal position to try out if you and your partner ever feel like playing around with Dom/sub roles, because doggy makes it easy to dabble in hair-pulling and ass-slapping. Plus, this position can even make talking dirty slightly less awkward for those of us who are more comfortable hearing it than speaking it.
The Bottom Line (Heh)
While it's totally understandable to stick to the positions that have historically resulted in more orgasms for you and your partner(s), it also makes sense to try new things when sex gets boring. So the next time you and your lover are in desperate need of a sexual palate cleanser, you might want to take Skurtu's advice and give doggy style a chance. That said, if you don't enjoy doggy, that's also OK.
As Skurtu puts it, "Really, try this position if it is fun for you. If not, there are many other positions that can be fun." Whatever you decide to do, the most important thing is that you're dong it for you. Sex is supposed to be fun and fulfilling, period. So if you discover that you don't enjoy doggy style, don't feel obligated to keep doing it — obviously!
