Domesticate Dogs (sage ability)

Dog feeding & diet is an amateur-status sage ability in the study of dog training that provides the character knowledge of how to nurture dogs born into domestication or transition wild dogs to where they can be well-behaved and trainable. Further, it grants a deep understanding into canine behaviour. To effectively raise dogs, characters with this skill have learned to cultivate patience and empathy towards dogs, understanding their needs, fears and instincts.

This may not allow the character to calm or easily dissuade a wild dog from its chosen instincts or fears, it does allow the character understand the dog's motives, and perhaps tailor his or her approach better to the animal in the short term. Under the right conditions, it's possible using this ability to tame wild or feral animals, building a lasting and positive relationship.

This sage ability does not allow the domestication of dire wolves or worgs, which require special needs and for which concommitant sage abilities can be gained once the character reaches expert or sage status.

Raising Puppies

Early socialisation of puppies to humanoids is a priority, with puppies being introduced to different environments, people and animals to foster adaptability and good behavior. Basic obedience training is initiated to instill discipline and obedience in the puppies from a young age. The ability naturally gives knowledge of how to adjust the puppy's diet while it ages to adulthood, while monitoring the animal for issues that may require a physiologist's attention. Regular grooming, keeping the puppy free of pests and parasites, and patience, assures the animal grows into a well-behaved, healthy companion.

In general, most puppies reach physical maturity between 6 and 18 months of age, although small breeds may mature more quickly than larger breeds. Once having matured, the puppies can be sold at market to potential buyers. However, it's important to note that while a puppy may reach physical maturity during this time frame, it is usually another 2-4 months before the adult dog will be ready for sale at a market to a prospective owner.

Taming Dogs

The process of transitioning wild and feral dogs to a tame state involves several key steps. It begins with initial contact and observation, where the dogs are approached cautiously to assess their behavior and level of fear or aggression. Building trust is then prioritized, achieved through patient, non-threatening interactions and the establishment of positive associations with the character and other persons. This is best done through the provision of food, water and shelter. This requires the sage ability to be successful.

Gradual socialization follows, gradually exposing the dogs to closer proximity to humans and domestic environments while reinforcing positive behaviors with rewards and praise. Training and obedience exercises are introduced once a basic level of trust and socialization is established, focusing on teaching fundamental commands and shaping desirable behaviors using reward-based methods. Additional specialized training may be provided based on the intended roles of the domesticated dogs, with continued care and maintenance ensuring their well-being and continued responsiveness to training. Through consistency, dedication and understanding of canine behavior, wild and feral dogs can be successfully brought to where they can be sold as dogs at market, or integrated for the character's personal use.

Transitioning a feral dog, which may have had some level of previous exposure to humans and domestic environments, already possess a basic level of socialisation skills and understanding of human cues. As such, though the effort is challenging and long, such dogs begin begins to exhibit signs of comfort and acceptance around humanoids, and may be made ready for sale in anywhere between 2 to 7 months.

On the other hand, a truly wild dog to a domesticated state can be a complex and time-consuming process, often requiring months or even years of patient effort and dedication. In most cases, a period of 4 to 10 months is needed before a wild dog is made comfortable. Thereafter, obedience training can typically begin, requiring an additional 4 to 10 weeks before the animal can be safely used or sold at market.

For the game's purposes, while in fact not all wild dogs are suitable candidates for domestication, we can fairly suppose that in a world that can ultimately train dire wolves and worgs, certain techniques have been discovered that allows the training of even the most difficult natural wild dogs.

See Animal Training (sage field)