Introduction
The Legend of Zelda games are beloved action-adventure games developed by Nintendo. In many of the games, especially The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, players can find and befriend dogs that will follow and aid them on their quest. The upcoming sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, will also feature dogs that players can earn the friendship of. Getting a dog companion can provide many benefits in these games, from finding hidden treasure to helping in battle. This guide will cover how to find dogs, gain their trust, equip and command them, and utilize their abilities in Zelda games like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.
Why Get the Dog to Follow You?
Getting a dog to follow you in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild provides several benefits. Most notably, dogs can aid Link in battles against enemies. If a dog has a high enough bond with Link, it will attack enemies that engage Link in combat. This can distract enemies and deal some damage, giving Link a better chance of winning difficult battles.
Dogs can also lead Link to hidden treasure chests throughout Hyrule once they have been tamed. Their keen sense of smell allows them to detect buried treasures that Link may overlook. Following a dog as it wanders may result in it catching a scent and digging up rupees, weapons, ingredients, and other useful items for Link’s journey. This can save Link time searching aimlessly.
In addition, dogs provide companionship to the often lone hero. Having a loyal dog follow Link on his adventure makes the massive open world feel a little less isolating. The dogs add personality and life to the environment.
For these reasons, taking the time to tame a dog and raise its bond can prove advantageous and rewarding. The dogs provide aid both in and out of combat, while also giving Link a friend along the way.
Where to Find the Dog
In The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, dogs can be found roaming around many of the stables scattered across Hyrule. Some of the best places to find dogs early in the game include the Wetland Stable in the Faron region, the Outskirt Stable in the Necluda region, and the Highland Stable in the Akkala region. At these locations, you’ll typically see a group of 2-3 dogs hanging around near the stable buildings.
The Wetland Stable in particular is a great place to find dogs early on, as it is one of the first stables you can reach after starting the game. Head to the Wetland Stable and you should see a trio of dogs, including a light brown one, a black one, and a white one. Interact with them here to start building up your friendship.
You may also come across solitary dogs wandering alone along roads and near NPC camps across Hyrule. Keep an eye out as you explore and approach any dog you see to begin the bonding process.
Earning the Dog’s Trust
Gaining the trust and loyalty of the dog in Zelda before it will follow you takes patience and persistence. When you first encounter the dog, it will likely appear cautious or aloof.
According to this Reddit post, slowly approaching the dog and kneeling down while holding out your hand allows it to sniff you and get accustomed to your scent. Speak gently and positively to help reassure the dog as well.
Petting or scratching the dog, especially around its chin and neck, releases oxytocin which promotes bonding and trust. Make sure not to startle or scare the dog. With consistent positive interactions, the dog will gradually become more comfortable and friendly.
Bringing the dog its favorite foods like meat or fish can also help earn its affection faster. Just be patient and consistently show the dog you mean no harm. Once it seems happy and excited to see you, it will then follow your lead.
Using Dog Treats
Dog treats are the primary way to gain a dog’s trust and get it to follow you in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. You can find dog treats, like meat and apples, scattered around the world or purchase them from certain merchants.
When you encounter a dog, equip the dog treats in your inventory and walk close to the dog. Press A to throw a treat on the ground near the dog. The dog will then move towards the treat, eat it, and start to follow you around. Each dog requires multiple treats before they will continuously follow you.
According to TheGamer.com, “The game does not keep track of treats you have given a dog previously.”1 So you need to feed each new dog you find. With enough treats, the dog will befriend you.
Some dogs require more treats than others to gain their trust. Persistence and regularly feeding them is key. According to CulturedVultures.com, “Press A to throw the food near a dog, which should then attract them and they will eat it.”2 Eventually even cautious dogs can become loyal companions if you keep treating them.
Petting and Praising
Building a bond with the dog in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is essential for getting the canine companion to follow and assist you. One of the best ways to build this bond is through petting and praising the dog. Simply walk up to the dog and press the interact button to give it a good pet. The dog will show its delight through animated reactions.
You should also praise the dog frequently by pressing the praise button when it performs helpful actions like finding hidden items or defeating enemies. The more you pet and praise the dog, the more its bond and trust in you will grow. This in turn makes the dog more likely to follow you, come when called, and aid you on your quest. Just like real dogs, the canine companion in Zelda thrives on positive reinforcement and affection from its master. So remember to regularly pet and praise your good boy to get the most out of your loyal companion.
Equipping the Dog
Once you’ve earned a dog’s trust, you can equip it with useful items like hats and vests. To equip an item on the dog, open your inventory and select the item you want the dog to wear. Make sure it’s an item specifically for dogs, such as the Warm Doublet or Animal Outfit.
With the item highlighted, press the ‘Equip’ button. You’ll see a prompt confirming you want to equip the item onto your canine companion. After equipping the item, you’ll see your dog wearing it!
Equipping certain items like the Warm Doublet provides useful effects. The Warm Doublet, for example, makes your dog resistant to cold climates. Other items like the Monster Mask can make your dog appear more intimidating but don’t provide any statistical benefit.
You can equip only one item at a time on your dog. If you want it to wear something else, simply equip a new item and it will replace the currently equipped gear. Make sure to choose items that will benefit your dog on your adventures!
Dog Commands
The main way to get a dog to follow you and assist you in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is through a series of verbal commands. According to TheGamer, there are several key commands for controlling your canine companion.
To make the dog follow behind you, simply say “Come!” and the dog will start trailing you. Say “Stay!” to get the dog to stop moving and wait in one spot. This is useful for keeping the dog in a safe location while you scout ahead or engage in combat.
One of the most helpful commands is “Find!” which will prompt the dog to seek out nearby treasure chests and other hidden items. Say “Dig!” to have the dog dig up buried treasure. Speak “Get it!” and the dog will fetch nearby ingredients, materials or treasure.
Through mastering these verbal cues, you can direct the dog to provide aid, locate useful items, and follow you on your quest through the kingdom. Check the game manual or experiment to discover any additional commands. With obedience and friendship, the dog can become a loyal adventure companion.
Dog Abilities
One of the most useful abilities of the dog in Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is digging. Once you befriend the dog, it can dig up various buried treasures for you. According to an article on TheGamer.com, the dog will dig up “mushrooms, critters, [and] rupees” as you travel together. This can save you a lot of time hunting for resources.
Another handy ability is fetching. You can throw a stick or rock and the dog will run, retrieve it, and bring it back to you. This can come in handy for accessing areas that Link can’t reach alone. As detailed on the Zelda Fandom wiki, you may be able to use the dog to “find secrets and pathways Link cannot access on his own.”
While not as elaborate as Wolf Link’s abilities in Twilight Princess, the dog in Tears of the Kingdom still provides useful treasure hunting and fetching skills. Forming a bond with the canine companion can make exploration, resource gathering, and puzzle solving much easier.
Conclusion
In summary, befriending the dog in Zelda provides many benefits. The dog can help lead you to useful items, warn you of danger, dig up rupies, hunt animals, and aid in solving puzzles. To gain the dog’s trust, find and feed it treats, pet and praise it often, and equip it with the proper tools. Use simple commands to direct the dog and unlock its special abilities. With the dog by your side, you’ll be able to explore more of the world and take on greater challenges.
Taking the time to befriend the dog allows for a deeper, more rewarding gameplay experience. The dog becomes a fun, helpful companion who can support you on your quests. For any Zelda player looking to get the most out of the game, earning the dog’s loyalty is highly recommended.
