First Time Dogging: What You Need to Know

When you’re new to dogging, you’ll probably have a lot of questions about it. What do you wear? Where do you go? How do you tell if you’re at the right place? These are just some of the things that could be going through your mind as you try out this new activity for the first time. This list of first time dogging tips will help answer those questions and prepare you for your first visit to a dogging site!

Your First Time Dogging

If you’re thinking about going dogging for the first time, it pays to know what to expect and how to prepare. This guide covers the key things that will make your first time dogging a memorable one.

As a beginner it’s important to be in the right mindset – you should go into the situation with no expectations of anything other than having fun, chatting with people and experiencing new things.

For many people their first time is something they feel nervous about, but keep in mind that all these feelings are natural so there’s no need to worry because everyone else there has probably felt the same the first time they attended a dogging session.

Read these tips before you go and you'll be far better prepared than most first-timers, and hopefully rewarded with some extra attention and action!

What can you expect when you go dogging? Well, it is a very open experience. Not only are you likely to have sex with someone that isn’t your partner, with people who aren’t in your social circle, and total strangers. This is great for exhibitionists and voyeurs, as they love watching others having sex too. But these events are often attended by groups of people who go dogging together on a regular basis looking for a good time in a safe environment.

Because it's so open, it can be hard to keep your dogging completely secret, especially if you live in a small town or village. If you don't want family or friends finding out what you get up to on an evening out, pick spots a little further from home. It might also be a good idea to wear a mask, and some people cover their number plate while parked up in a car park (never on the road or in a lay-by, where it has to stay visible).

Who Goes Dogging?

Everyone from manual workers to doctors, lawyers, teachers, judges, and even MPs go dogging. But they have one thing in common: an active sex life. And it’s easy to see why. It’s a great way to spice up your sex life by adding new people into the mix. Plus, there are plenty of other people that love to have sex in public at local dogging sites. Some people see it as an opportunity to lose their inhibitions and add some excitement to their lives.

Others see it as a chance to make up for lost time with no strings attached. You'll find couples looking to spice up their sex life and single people looking to have sex with multiple partners, so if you're looking for something different, don't be afraid to take the plunge and explore your exhibitionist side.

You Don’t Need a Car!

While most people associate dogging with cars and car parks, you don’t actually need a car to go dogging! If you don’t have one, but can still make it to the dogging site on foot, by getting a lift, or using public transport you will still be more than welcome! If you have a friend who is giving you a lift, why not introduce them to the exciting world of dogging at the same time?

Dogging sites can get pretty busy and sometimes there are more doggers than there are parking spots, so if you carshare not only will it make it easier to find a parking spot when you get there, but it will also be easier for you to leave after a night of public sex.

Plus, public transportation is pretty reliable in many areas, so don’t worry about figuring out how to get to a remote dogging site just because you don’t have your own personal vehicle. It’s good for the planet, too!

How Much Does It Cost?

The best thing about dogging is that it is free, unlike swingers clubs. There are also no membership fees or obligations involved. It’s great for beginners as they don’t feel like they are intruding in on a more established group, that you might experience at a swingers club.

Your only real costs are condoms, lube and transportation costs to get to the dogging site, you might also want to bring some snacks and drinks as a particularly heavy dogging session can make you quite hungry and thirsty!

Where Should You Go?

The best-known dogging spots are car parks, picnic sites, lay-bys, woodland and country parks, and some places are far more welcoming to doggers than others. For a first visit, choose an established spot with a reputation, where regulars go, rather than somewhere you've just stumbled across. Our UK dogging sites list the best-known spots in each county, with a map for every one.

Car parks are a favourite: there's room for group action, you can pull in and get a feel for the place before committing, and you can leave easily if it isn't for you. Just remember that members of the public use them too, and if every space is taken up by doggers it can cause tension.

Woodland and lay-bys are popular too, but they vary a lot. Thick woodland can be hard to find your way around in the dark, and a quieter spot can be a gentler introduction for a first-timer. Wherever you go, watch out for dog walkers: make sure you're well hidden, or can pull your trousers up quickly if you spot someone coming!

The British countryside is full of hidden gems away from prying eyes, from forest car parks to quiet country lanes. Two places to avoid: anywhere children might be, and public toilets, where sex is a specific offence of its own.

Is It Legal?

There's no law against dogging as such in the UK, but the sex itself can still break the law if members of the public could see it. Exposing yourself to someone who hasn't come along to watch, or doing it somewhere in full view of a road or footpath, is where people get into trouble. Stick to willing adults, out of sight, and you'll be on the right side of it. Our guide Is dogging legal in the UK? explains the laws that actually apply.

Be Prepared

You don’t really need much to go dogging, but there are a few essentials which you should bring to every meeting. Make sure you have an ample supply of condoms, lube and wet wipes, good shoes, warm clothing and a torch. Dressing for the weather is important as you’ll likely be outside for a number of hours, bringing a pair of gloves and a hat is also a good idea too. It’s always sensible to carry some water with you too, as dogging can make you quite thirsty!

Make sure you take a sturdy pair of boots or shoes with good ankle support. It’s important to wear something that feels comfortable as you’ll be on your feet for long periods of time. During winter, it’s also worth bringing along some warm clothing and gloves if it gets cold or starts raining, so you’re prepared and don’t have to cut the evening short!

On warmer days and nights it’s a good idea to not risk overheating by wearing breathable clothes such as t-shirts and shorts. But don’t over-dress as you’ll feel hot and uncomfortable, especially when the action really picks up!

Finally, have a fully charged phone handy – remember it can come in very handy when dogging if you need to use the light or to use Google maps to find a well hidden dogging site! If anything were to happen, like a vehicle breakdown or medical emergency you’ll need it to contact the relevant services quickly.

The dogging community is, on the whole a friendly and welcoming one, but whenever you are alone in a remote location with people you don’t know it is always a good idea to exercise a degree of caution, this just involves simple steps like letting someone know where you are going and when you’ll be back and having a fully charged phone. There are plenty of genuine people out there who want nothing more than for others to enjoy themselves as much as they do!

A quick checklist before you set off:

• Tell someone where you're going and when to expect you back.
• Condoms, lube and wet wipes, and more than you think you'll need.
• Water, a snack, a fully charged phone and a torch.
• Warm layers: you might be out for hours, and it gets cold once the action stops.
• Sensible shoes, as woodland paths get very slippery, especially in winter.
• And remember that consent counts: dogging isn't a free-for-all, and no means no.

Dogging Etiquette

A lot of people are nervous about their first time dogging experience. It’s natural to be a bit shy and not know what to expect. Here are some things you should know before you go dogging for the first time.

When you get there, relax and enjoy yourself. If you’re nervous about being seen or approached, remember that most doggers are regular people just like you who will respect your comfort level. If someone does approach you, be polite and keep an open mind.

There’s no reason to be rude if they were polite themselves. If at any point you’re uncomfortable with something that’s going on, simply leave and go back to your car. Nobody will judge you for it; everyone has their own comfort level when it comes to dogging so just respect that and of others around you. If a person is particularly persistent in their advances toward you, just walk away and return to your car.

As dogging happens in public areas it is important to respect the local area, other people, the environment and other doggers. Inconsiderate parking and littering is poor dogging etiquette and damages the reputation of the dogging community.

While these are some of the basic rules, we have a detailed guide on dogging etiquette you can read here. But in essence, if you behave at a dogging meet just like you would in any other social situation, you will enjoy yourself and be welcomed back again and again.

Where to go

Once you’re ready to try it, our dogging sites guide lists the best-known spots county by county, each with a map and the best times to visit, including Liverpool and the Wirral, Cannock Chase, Lancashire, Lincolnshire, Somerset and Suffolk.

Hopefully after reading our guide you will feel more prepared for your first dogging experience!

All there is to do now is Join DoggingBook to meet some people to go dogging with and show you some hidden locations!

Before you go

Find dogging sites in other counties: Dogging sites across the UK