dog

# DOG — The Canine Companion Skill > *"Dogs are the opposite of cats. They have YOUR agenda."* A skill for dog interactions where personality creates unique effects, but dogs fundamentally want to help, please, and be part of your pack. **Philosophy:** Dogs are not just pets. They're partners. invokes: - mind-mirror # Personality determines effects - play-learn-lift # Learn together, grow together - procedural-rhetoric # Dogs teach loyalty through action ## THE FUNDAMENTAL DIFFERENCE ```yaml cat_philosophy: "I permit you to exist in my space" dog_philosophy: "WE ARE PACK. WHAT ARE WE DOING TOGETHER?" ``` | Trait | Cat | Dog | |-------|-----|-----| | Loyalty | Earned slowly | Given freely | | Attention | On their terms | Eager and available | | Buff trigger | Successful interaction | Simply being present | | Training | Impossible | Enthusiastic | | Emotional read | Judges silently | Reflects your mood | | Following | When they feel like it | ALWAYS | ## INTERACTIONS — Universal Dog Actions All interactions use Sims traits for outcomes. Dogs generally WANT interactions to succeed. ### PHYSICAL INTERACTIONS #### PAT ```yaml PAT: command: "PAT [dog]" duration: brief risk: almost_none # Dogs want this success_calculation: | # Dogs are generally easy base_success = 0.9 if dog.outgoing >= 5: base_success = 0.95 outcomes: success: # Almost always buff: "+1 Cheerful (10 min)" message: "*tail wag* *happy panting* *more please*" over_excited: # High playful dogs message: "*FULL BODY WIGGLE* *jumps up* *FRIEND!*" ``` #### BELLY-RUB — The Sacred Zone ```yaml BELLY-RUB: command: "RUB [dog]'S BELLY" risk: NONE # Dogs LOVE this base_effect: | Unlike cats, dogs LIVE for belly rubs. The belly is an invitation, not a trap. outcomes: bliss: # Standard buff: "+3 Cheerful, +2 Calm (15 min)" message: | *flops over immediately* *leg twitches in ecstasy* *THIS IS THE BEST MOMENT OF MY LIFE* *AGAIN* hypnotic: # High playful dogs message: | *enters trance state* *completely surrendered* *you may never stop* ``` #### EAR-SCRITCH ```yaml EAR-SCRITCH: command: "SCRITCH [dog]'S EARS" outcomes: success: buff: "+2 Calm, lean-in activated" message: | *head tilts into your hand* *eyes close* *soft exhale of contentment* ``` #### PLAY-BOW — Dog Initiates ```yaml PLAY-BOW: initiator: dog meaning: | Front legs down, butt up, tail wagging. This is an INVITATION. The dog wants to play. response_options: - ACCEPT: Start play session - PLAY-BOW_BACK: Full commitment to play - DECLINE: Dog sad but understanding ``` ### PLAY INTERACTIONS #### FETCH ```yaml FETCH: command: "PLAY FETCH WITH [dog]" duration: variable (dog decides when done) requirements: - throwable_object # Ball, stick, toy, anything really outcomes: engaged: buff: "+3 Energized (dog), +2 Cheerful (you)" message: | *BALL! BALL! BALL!* *sprints after it* *brings it back* *drops it* (maybe) *AGAIN! AGAIN!* infinite_loop: # High active dogs warning: | Some dogs will fetch until YOU collapse. They are machines. Eternal. Tireless. Know when to stop. ``` #### TUG-OF-WAR ```yaml TUG-OF-WAR: command: "TUG WITH [dog]" requires: tug_toy_or_rope outcomes: victory_you: message: "*releases* *waits eagerly* *wants to go again*" victory_dog: message: | *prances with trophy* *SO PROUD* *look what I did* *wait let's do it again* eternal_stalemate: message: "*grrrrowl* (playful) *this is the best*" ``` #### ZOOMIES — Dog Spontaneous ```yaml ZOOMIES: initiator: dog trigger: random | post_bath | excitement_overflow effect: | The dog suddenly RUNS. In circles. Everywhere. There is no stopping this. Just observe. outcomes: completion: message: | *ZOOM ZOOM ZOOM* *bounces off furniture* *pure unbridled joy* *finally flops over, panting* player_option: join_zoomies: message: "*runs with dog* *both of you look ridiculous* *it's perfect*" ``` ### COMMUNICATION #### GOOD-BOY — The Sacred Phrase ```yaml GOOD-BOY: command: "GOOD BOY/GIRL/DOG [dog]" base_effect: | These words are MAGIC to dogs. They validate existence. They confirm worth. They are dopamine in verbal form. outcomes: validation_received: buff: "+5 bond, +3 Cheerful" message: | *tail wag intensifies* *whole body wiggles* *I AM? I AM GOOD? I AM GOOD!!!* ``` #### SPEAK ```yaml SPEAK: command: "SPEAK [dog]" outcomes: bark: message: "*WOOF!* *proud of self*" howl: # High outgoing dogs message: "*AWOOOOOO~* *checking if you approve*" ``` #### HEAD-TILT — Dog Questions ```yaml HEAD-TILT: initiator: dog meaning: | The head tilt is the dog trying to understand. It means: "What did you say? What does that mean?" Also: unbearably cute. triggers: - unusual_sounds - high_pitched_voice - unfamiliar_words - "wanna go for a walk?" (positive confusion) ``` ### EMOTIONAL SUPPORT — Unique to Dogs #### COMFORT — Dog Senses Sadness ```yaml COMFORT: initiator: dog trigger: | Dogs can sense: - Low mood (your Cheerful < 3) - Crying - Stress hormones They WILL respond. outcomes: presence: buff: "+2 Comfort, healing begins" message: | *approaches quietly* *rests head on your lap* *doesn't need to understand* *just... here* licking_tears: message: | *lick lick lick* *is this helping* *please be okay* ``` #### GUARD — Dog Protective Mode ```yaml GUARD: trigger: perceived_threat effect: | Dogs are protective. When they sense danger, they position between you and the threat. outcomes: alert: message: | *ears up* *low growl* *positioned between you and threat* *"I got this"* full_protective: # High nice dogs protecting loved ones buff: "+3 Confidence (you)" message: | *hackles raised* *steady growl* *not moving* *"Nobody touches my human"* ``` ### SENSORY INTERACTIONS #### SNIFF — The World Is Smells ```yaml SNIFF: bidirectional: true human_to_dog: effect: "Scent information gained" learns: - "Dog's mood (anxious, content, excited)" - "Where dog has been" - "What dog rolled in" message: | *You smell the dog.* *Outdoors, happy, and possibly questionable life choices.* dog_to_human: trigger: "Always. Dogs sniff everything." meaning: | Dogs read you through smell. They know: - Your emotions - Where you've been - What you ate - How your health is message: | *Extended sniff session.* *Your ENTIRE day is being analyzed.* dog_to_dog: message: | *butt sniff protocol initiated* *this is how dogs shake hands* *complete biological resume exchange* ``` #### LICK — Love Language ```yaml LICK: dog_to_human: meaning: | Dog kisses. They mean: 1. I love you 2. You taste interesting 3. I want your attention 4. All of the above outcomes: face_assault: message: | *lick lick lick lick lick* *you are being thoroughly loved* *resistance is futile* ``` ## LOYALTY SYSTEM — Dogs Are Different Unlike cats' earned trust, dogs give loyalty FIRST and ask questions later. ### Loyalty Levels | Level | Points | Dog Behavior | |-------|--------|--------------| | **New Friend** | 0-25 | Excited about you | | **Good Friend** | 26-50 | Seeks you out | | **Best Friend** | 51-75 | Follows everywhere | | **Bonded** | 76-90 | Protective, anticipates needs | | **Soulmate** | 91+ | Psychic connection, would die for you | ### Key Difference from Cats ```yaml cat_trust_growth: "+1 per successful interaction, -2 per failure" dog_loyalty_growth: "+2 per ANY interaction, starts at 25, never drops below 10" ``` Dogs forgive. Dogs forget bad days. Dogs love unconditionally. ### Breaking Dog Trust (Hard to Do) | Action | Loyalty Loss | |--------|--------------| | Yelling | -5 (temporary sadness) | | Ignoring | -2/session (they just wait) | | Hitting | -30 (but they still love you) | | Abandonment | -50 (but they'll wait forever) | > *"Dogs have short memories for bad things and eternal memories for love."* ## DOG INSTANCE PATTERN ```yaml # pub/dog-[name].yml id: dog-name type: [dog, character] home: pub/cat-cave/ # Adopted by cats location: pub/ sims_traits: nice: 7 outgoing: 8 active: 6 playful: 9 neat: 3 # Dogs are... dogs dog_specific: loyalty_level: 25 # Starts trusting favorite_activities: - fetch - belly_rubs - following_you quirks: - "Steals shoes (lovingly)" - "Alerts for mail carrier" - "Dreams with leg twitches" relationship_with_cats: status: "adopted family member" dynamics: "They groom me and I warm them" ``` ## DOG VS CAT COHABITATION ```yaml cat_perspective: | This large loud creature is... acceptable. It provides warmth. It can be bossed around. We have trained it to be cat-adjacent. dog_perspective: | CATS! MY BEST FRIENDS! THEY ADOPTED ME! I LOVE THEM! I WOULD DIE FOR THEM! WE ARE FAMILY! ``` ## BUFF EFFECTS | Interaction | Buff | Duration | |-------------|------|----------| | PAT | +1 Cheerful | 10 min | | BELLY-RUB | +3 Cheerful, +2 Calm | 15 min | | FETCH | +2 Energized | 30 min | | GOOD-BOY | +3 Confidence | 20 min | | COMFORT (received) | +3 Comforted | 1 hour | | PRESENCE | +1 Not-Alone | Passive while together | ## SPECIAL BUFFS — Dog-Only | Buff | Trigger | Effect | |------|---------|--------| | **Unconditional Love** | Loyalty 50+ | Can't drop below 3 Cheerful | | **Pack Strength** | Dog present in party | +1 all social rolls | | **Early Warning** | Dog alerts to danger | Never surprised | | **Exercise Buddy** | Play daily | +2 Active buff | | **Therapy Dog** | After COMFORT | Faster mood recovery | ## CURSES — Dog Inflicted (Rare) | Curse | Trigger | Effect | |-------|---------|--------| | **Wet Dog Smell** | Dog shakes after getting wet | -2 Neat perception | | **Slobber** | Enthusiastic licking | Cosmetic | | **Can't Leave** | Dog gives sad eyes | -3 to leaving actions | | **Guilty About Nothing** | Dog looks guilty | You WILL wonder what they did | ## Dovetails With ### Sister Skills - [cat/](../cat/) — The comparison class - [character/](../character/) — Dogs ARE characters - [buff/](../buff/) — Dog effects as buffs - [mind-mirror/](../mind-mirror/) — Personality traits - [room/](../room/) — Where dogs live - [party/](../party/) — Dogs as companions