Observation is encouraged, thus voyeurism and exhibitionism are closely associated with dogging. The two sets of people involved often meet either randomly or (increasingly) arrange to meet-up beforehand over the internet. From Wikipedia

Despite the reputation the British have for being uptight and stiff-upper-lippy about everything, Brits are anything but sexually repressed. In fact British culture is, for the most part, much more sexually liberated than American culture, and most English citizens are more sexually adventurous and laid-back than your average American. This may be because the first American settlers fled England to worship as they pleased and then somehow became homesick for the oppression they left behind. IN any case, Puritanism has long been associated with a disapproval of sex for pleasure and many Europeans think the U.S. is still a very Puritanical country where sex is concerned.

The English are also not repressive when it comes to keeping the public informed about STDs: in fact London was at the head of the pack during the first AIDS crisis in the 1980s, funding huge public service and advertising campaigns advocating safe sex and condom use. Ads (or "adverts" as they call them) appeared everywhere: on TV, radio, public transportation, billboards and magazines. The UK government also generally responded more quickly and positively to this public health crisis than the United States.

But in more recent years, a general tendency among the younger generation in western countries to downplay the risk of HIV infection (perhaps because new drugs have meant people can live a long time with AIDS, whereas previously it was a death sentence within 5 years or less) has led increasingly to concerns about the possibility of a growing threat to the public health. Just as the risk of HIV infection and the spread of other STDs like Chlamydia and some forms of hepatitis has grown in the U.S. because of varying factors (including the widespread use of crystal meth, a recreational drug that is used to enhance sex but that causes a lapse of control and caution in users), in the UK there are also the possibility of increased levels of STD infection in the UK owing to one popular and growing trend: dogging.

Dogging is the name given to a social practice which has become widespread in UK cities and is spreading more every day. It seems to be a logical outgrowth of sex parties and singles' groups who practice swapping and has been popular for more than 3 years now. Dogging refers to sex in semi-secluded public places like parks or parking lots. It is not only practiced for those having sex with each other, but is also performed for voyeurs who enjoy watching. In England, such behavior is not illegal as long as everyone involved is a consenting adult. The voyeurs are mainly men, and the exhibitionists are mainly couples or women who love to be watched, and who frequently invite those who are watching to join in the fun.

Many "doggers" belong to various online groups and the cyber community for dogging is also growing fast; one online newsgroup based in the UK has 20,000 members. Because many of the people involved in this activity are in contact with other enthusiasts online, the location and time of dogging "events" (pre-planned meet-ups) is now frequently advertised on websites or relayed via text messaging on mobile phones. On some websites, members can keep track of "new" dogging locations and can join the website as a club where they can communicate anonymously with other members. Many sites charge a fee to participate at the level of membership where one can find out about dogging events and locations.

There is a very specific etiquette offered on dogging websites for those new to the dogging scene. One website offers advice for single males who want to get into dogging: be polite and don't be pushy! It also says some couples allowed males to join them depending on how clean, polite and non-pushy they were. Doggers are also advised on how to arrange a meet at a "new" (i.e. not already known for dogging activity) location, and are warned to make sure they leave public places clean of litter such as used condoms; apparently leaving this sort of litter is a sure way to get a site closed by the local council or more heavily patrolled by the local police.

Part of the thrill of dogging is that it is semi-public sex that may be performed with a stranger. Once an exhibitionist invites a voyeur to join in, anything can happen. Some web articles have mentioned campaigns by public health groups who have interviewed doggers who have upwards of 8 or 9 sexual liaisons per week: unprotected. Advocates of dogging insist it hurts no one and if basic guidelines are followed, it will remain safe and fun for everyone. One popular website which is a sort of clearinghouse for doggers advises on its home page: "Please practice safe sex at all times!" And yet the anecdotal and medical evidence suggests that many do not take this warning to heart.

If there truly are a lot of people practicing unprotected sex in an anonymous capacity, it seems likely the repercussions could be serious indeed. The National Health Service noted a marked increase in hepatitis infection in 2002, for example, and some of these patients said they had probably contracted the disease as a result of dogging. Other STDs are also on the rise in Great Briain, just as they are in the U.S. This is not obviously due to dogging, but the more people infected with STDs, the greater the risk of their being spread in this way.

Despite these public health risks, the law has been reluctant to impose legislation preventing this behavior. Unlike the U.S., sexual behavior is not seen as something that should be regulated by the law or government. When a sexual offences bill made its way through Parliament recently, ministers made it clear they did not wish to criminalize sex in public places if that location was sufficiently isolated to prevent unintentional witnesses. Voyeurism on unknowing subjects is probably going to become illegal, but when the exhibitionists give their consent, there is no crime.

Still, some public health officials are concerned about the possible dangers that may increase as dogging becomes more popular. Heavy alcohol use is known to occur at dogging locations, and some reports of the use of rohypnol (the date rape drug) have circulated as well. As the government works out what it wants to do on a legal basis, dogging enthusiasts may do well to continue to enforce a code of ethics and maintain the sort of etiquette that will keep people at low risk for the spread of disease.