As British an institution as fish and chips or the Queen’s corgi habit.
Dogging is the act of public sex in a secluded or semi-secluded location, where those engaging in it allow others to watch them and may encourage viewers to join in.
Brits love a quickie in public, with 43% of us owning up to public sex. Sex in cars is nearly as popular as al fresco loving, as 49% of people in a new survey admit to getting it on in an automobile. Only laws on speed limits are more regularly broken than those relating to public fornication.
The term ‘dogging’ supposedly comes from men telling their wives they were going to ‘walk the dog’ and then either heading to the pub or going to see if they could find couples having sex and watch them. It doesn’t refer to the women involved in dogging scenarios in a derogatory way.
Dogging has links to voyeurism, exhibitionism, swinging, cuckolding and ‘stag’ or ‘vixen’ sex (where men and women enjoy seeing their partner having sex with another person).
It usually occurs in outdoor parking areas, woodland spots, quiet lanes and public parks after dark, when it’s unlikely that others will be around. You can get involved as a couple and engage in sex in front of a live audience, swap partners with another couple or have it off with singles who have come to enjoy the show.
We don’t know how many people in the UK are currently active in the dogging scene, but communities of dedicated doggers certainly exist online and information on the best dogging spots in your city or county are just a simple Google search away.
There’s not one specific law that bans dogging, but if you get caught, you could be prosecuted for public indecency, indecent behaviour or disorderly conduct. If you’re engaging in public sex near children or a school, you might find yourself on the sex offenders register. (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
In order to learn more about dogging and why people like it, I logged on to an adults-only dogging site that offers handy tips to would –be doggers such as: ‘Try to arrive a few minutes early for a meet, no one likes to wait.’
Ian from Gloucestershire was kind enough to tell me why he enjoys going dogging. He said: ‘It’s the excitement of being watched while still getting pleasure! Knowing other men and women masturbate with butt plugs while they watch you adds to the fun.’
Amir* from Twickenham said that his best dogging experience was with a couple he’d met on Craigslist. ‘They were looking for a man to have sex with the husband’s blindfolded wife, while he watched. We decided to meet and I did the deed in his parked car under a bridge. It was a fun experience and I felt very adventurous.’
Brian told me that he’d first become interested in dogging when he realised that his long-term relationship was getting stale.
He said: ‘My relationship ended and after that, I was able to explore what I really wanted sexually, not just a quick shag at home twice a week.
‘I went to some shops in Glasgow, I guess you could call them sex shops, and I came across a contact magazine. Through it, I started making contact with couples. Given my previous relationship, I decided I wasn’t going to be tied down. I met a few couples and then the subject of meeting at dogging sites came up. (Picture: Ella Byworth for Metro.co.uk)
‘I guess I was just very horny at that time, single and looking for fun. It was also very exciting, and almost a nervous experience in terms of watching, participating and making sure we didn’t get caught.’
On the etiquette of dogging, Rory says: ‘You can’t just walk up to a car and look in – that’s too much like stalking! You have to watch the cars as they come and go. See if the same cars are coming and going, who’s inside and whether or not they look at you.
‘A definite sign is light flashing. If you’re behind a car and then the brake lights flash, that generally means they want to be watched or joined. If you’re in front they will flash their headlights at you.
‘There have been times when a woman has gotten out her car topless and beckoned guys over, but that doesn’t happen very often.
‘During dogging, you may get invited to watch through a car window, generally, this is when guys just jerk off. There are other occasions when you might touch the couple, play with her and him, but it really depends on what you’re looking for.’
If you’re going to give dogging a try, remember never to engage in public sex in places where you could be seen by children or where you’re likely to cause offence. It is illegal and people do get prosecuted.