Dogging is British slang for sexual activity in public places, typically involving people having sex while others watch. It draws in both exhibitionists and voyeurs.
The term arose in the 1970s and refers to voyeurs, mostly men, who used walking a dog as cover for being in places where couples were known to have sex outdoors. The practice itself is older, and media coverage made it more widely known in the early 2000s.
Its appeal ties into exhibitionism and the thrill of being seen, voyeurism and the arousal of watching, the taboo of sex where it is not supposed to happen, anonymous or group encounters, and the power dynamics of who watches, who leads and who invites others in.
Legal & Consent
In most countries this kind of public sexual activity is against the law and can lead to prosecution and fines. A few places have looser laws on public sexual acts, but these are very limited.
This is general information, not legal advice. Sex or nudity anywhere the public could see you can be a crime, and in some places a conviction means registering as a sex offender. Never involve people who haven't agreed to it, and never anywhere a child could see. Keep it to private spaces and venues licensed for it. See our legal policies.
