the large dildo is a good idea but don't start there. most online shops or sex shop in your area will have a training kit for anal sex. nothing more than graduated butt plugs. start with the smallest and work your way up. not sure how big the upper 1% is *runs off to google* but you might need to buy a few sizes larger than a standard kit would have.
for playing with your partner. i would say on days you know you will be sexually active you prep before you meet up. clean out, lube up, stretch yourself a bit with your fingers. if you are in the mind to do so, insert a larger but still comfortable butt plug. pre-prep helps keeps the momentum going. *gets results from google* wow. even with everything i said stick with heaps of foreplay, lots of fingering, rimming, stretching. buckets of lube, a nice thick silicone is great for anal. a lube injector is good and cheap.
have you had much luck with certain positions?
ML
okay google said: top 1% is 7.5 in circumference. wow again.