The world of Hyrule in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom is vast, brimming with secrets, and populated with a diverse cast of characters, both human and animal. Among these are the charming and helpful dogs that Link encounters throughout his journey. These canine companions aren’t just there for show; they can guide you to hidden treasures if you know how to earn their trust. A crucial part of this process is feeding them. But how many times exactly do you need to feed a dog in Tears of the Kingdom to trigger their helpful behavior? The answer, while seemingly simple, requires a bit more nuance to understand fully.
Understanding the Dog’s Role in Tears of the Kingdom
Dogs in Tears of the Kingdom serve a specific purpose: leading Link to hidden treasures or secrets. They don’t offer combat assistance or follow you endlessly. Instead, they act as temporary guides, their tail wags and excited barks hinting at the location of something valuable.
The interaction is designed to be rewarding. Finding a dog and figuring out how to communicate with it becomes a mini-puzzle in itself. The reward, of course, is the discovery of a new item, weapon, or location that could prove beneficial to Link’s quest.
The Importance of Dog Affection
The key to unlocking a dog’s guidance lies in building affection. This isn’t a stat you can see, but rather an invisible meter that increases as you feed the dog. The higher the affection level, the more likely the dog is to lead you to its treasure.
This system encourages players to engage with the environment and be kind to the animals they encounter. It’s a small but meaningful detail that adds depth to the game’s world.
The Magic Number: How Many Meals Does It Take?
Generally, you need to feed a dog three times to get it to lead you to a treasure. However, there are subtleties that can affect this number.
The Influence of Food Quality
Not all food is created equal in the eyes of a Hyrulean hound. The quality of the food you offer significantly impacts how quickly you gain the dog’s trust. Raw meat, for instance, is generally more effective than a single apple.
Offering a variety of food can also be beneficial. While three pieces of raw meat might do the trick, mixing it up with some cooked meat or even a hearty steak could speed up the process. The specific food doesn’t seem to have a drastically different impact, but higher quality, cooked foods tend to build affection more quickly.
Factors Affecting Dog Behavior
Several factors influence the dog’s behavior beyond just the number of meals. These include:
- Previous Encounters: If you’ve interacted with a particular dog before, especially if you fed it previously, it might be easier to gain its trust on subsequent encounters.
- Location: The location of the dog can also play a role. Dogs near stables or villages might be accustomed to human interaction and therefore more receptive to your offerings.
- Time of Day: While less significant than other factors, the time of day might subtly affect a dog’s willingness to trust you.
What to Feed the Dogs in Tears of the Kingdom
Dogs in Tears of the Kingdom aren’t particularly picky eaters. They’ll happily accept a wide range of food items, from raw meat to cooked meals. However, some foods are more effective than others at building affection.
Effective Food Choices
These foods are generally well-received by dogs and can help build affection quickly:
- Raw Meat: A readily available and effective option, especially if you’ve been hunting Bokoblins or other creatures.
- Cooked Meat: Cooking the meat adds a bit of extra flavor (at least, presumably to a dog’s palate) and can increase the affection boost.
- Steak: Any type of steak, especially those cooked with additional ingredients, are a great way to quickly win over a dog.
- Apples: While not as effective as meat, apples are a good option if you’re short on other supplies.
Foods to Avoid (Or Use Sparingly)
While dogs will technically eat almost anything, some foods are less effective at building affection:
- Small Items: Single berries or mushrooms might not make a significant impact.
- Processed Items: Highly processed items (like some candies) might be less appealing to dogs.
Deciphering the Dog’s Signals
Knowing when you’ve fed a dog enough is just as important as knowing what to feed it. The game provides subtle visual and auditory cues to indicate the dog’s affection level.
Visual Cues: Tail Wagging and Excitability
The most obvious visual cue is the dog’s tail wag. A slow, hesitant wag indicates low affection, while a rapid, enthusiastic wag signals that the dog is becoming more comfortable with you.
Another visual cue is the dog’s overall excitability. A happy dog will often jump, bark, and generally display a lot of energy.
Auditory Cues: Barks and Whines
The dog’s barks and whines can also provide clues about its affection level. A friendly bark is a good sign, while a hesitant whine might indicate that the dog is still unsure of you.
The Reward: Following the Dog to Treasure
Once you’ve successfully fed the dog enough times, it will start to lead you towards its hidden treasure. Be prepared to follow it, as the treasure might be located some distance away.
What Kind of Treasure Can You Expect?
The treasure a dog leads you to can vary. It might be a chest containing rupees, a weapon, or even a valuable resource. Sometimes, the dog will lead you to an NPC who provides a side quest or useful information.
Tips for Following the Dog
Following the dog can sometimes be tricky, especially in areas with complex terrain. Here are a few tips:
- Pay Attention to the Dog’s Movements: The dog will often pause or look back at you to make sure you’re still following.
- Use Your Map: Keep an eye on your map to get a sense of where the dog is leading you.
- Be Patient: Sometimes, the dog might take a roundabout route to the treasure.
Conclusion: Building Bonds and Finding Treasures
Feeding dogs in Tears of the Kingdom is a rewarding experience that adds depth to the game’s world. While the general rule is to feed a dog three times to earn its trust, the quality of the food and other factors can influence this number. By paying attention to the dog’s signals and offering it a variety of food, you can quickly build a bond and uncover hidden treasures throughout Hyrule. Remember, patience and kindness are key to unlocking the secrets that these furry friends hold. So, go out there, explore the world, and make some new canine companions along the way. Every dog you befriend is a potential guide to a valuable discovery, making the effort well worth your while. Happy treasure hunting!
How often should I feed my dog in Tears of the Kingdom to maximize rewards?
You should feed your dog in Tears of the Kingdom a maximum of three times in quick succession after locating them. Feeding them more than this will not yield additional rewards or benefits. The dog’s behavior will indicate satisfaction after three feedings.
Typically, after the third feeding, the dog will lead you to a hidden treasure chest or point you towards a location of interest. Ignoring the dog after it leads you will reset the opportunity, and you will need to return another time to try again. This makes three feedings optimal for each encounter.
What kind of food should I give the dog in Tears of the Kingdom?
The dog in Tears of the Kingdom will eat various types of cooked meat, making it convenient to feed them throughout your adventure. Raw meat will not work, so make sure you cook the meat over a fire or with a cooking pot before offering it.
Effective options include Seared Steak, Roasted Bird Thigh, and other basic cooked meat dishes. More elaborate meals aren’t necessary; the dog is perfectly happy with simple, readily available food. Focus on providing readily crafted meats instead of wasting high-quality ingredients.
Will the dog disappear if I don’t feed it immediately when I see it?
The dog will not disappear immediately if you don’t feed it. It will remain in the area, generally near the initial location where you found it. You have a window of time to gather the required food and return to the dog.
However, it’s important to note that the dog might eventually wander off or the game’s world might reset, causing it to disappear. It’s best practice to have some cooked meat on hand whenever exploring, to be prepared to feed the dog when you encounter it. Keep in mind, that after certain in-game events it might not return.
Can I feed multiple dogs in Tears of the Kingdom to get multiple rewards?
Yes, you can encounter and feed multiple dogs in Tears of the Kingdom, potentially leading to multiple rewards. Each dog will typically lead you to a different treasure or point of interest in its vicinity. However, each dog has its own separate interaction.
Focus on completing the sequence with one dog (locating, feeding up to three times, and following) before seeking out other dogs. The rewards are often valuable items, weapons, or resources that can significantly aid your adventure through Hyrule. Remember that not all dogs will give the same type of reward.
Does the weather affect the dog’s presence or willingness to eat?
No, the weather does not seem to significantly affect the dog’s presence or its willingness to eat in Tears of the Kingdom. Whether it’s raining, snowing, or sunny, the dog will generally remain in its designated location.
The dog will still accept food under any weather condition. Therefore, you don’t need to wait for clear skies or specific conditions to interact with the dog and begin the feeding sequence. Just make sure you have the necessary cooked meat to start.
Are the treasures the dog leads me to repeatable, or are they one-time finds?
The treasures and locations the dog leads you to are generally one-time finds in Tears of the Kingdom. Once you’ve obtained the item or explored the area, the dog will no longer lead you to the same location again on that particular encounter.
Therefore, maximize each encounter by ensuring you fully explore the area the dog directs you to. Claim your reward and loot everything around the location. After the first loot, you will need to wait for a blood moon or similar in-game event for it to respawn.
Is there a specific breed of dog I should look for to get better rewards?
No, the type of dog breed does not affect the quality or type of rewards you receive in Tears of the Kingdom. All dogs, regardless of their appearance, will lead you to valuable items or interesting locations.
Focus on simply finding any dog in the game’s world and engaging with it. The key is to provide them with the appropriate food (cooked meat) and follow their lead to uncover the hidden treasures and secrets they guard.