D&D 5E How do you handle a hunting dog/war dog in combat?

[ECMO3]

So if a player buys a hunting dog or other dog and take it adventuring, how do you handle this when it comes to combat?

Does it automatically fight with the party? Does the player need to use an action to command it every turn? Does it require an animal handling check?

 

[Charlaquin]

Unless it’s granted by a feature that says otherwise (such as the Find Familiar spell or the Beast Master’s animal companion), it’s an independent actor. Just like any other NPC, it gets its own turn in combat, and the DM controls its actions. A trained animal like a war dog will generally follow commands (no action needed), provided it recognizes the one giving the commands as its master. However, it isn’t mindlessly obedient - it still has a sense of self-preservation and will act accordingly.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

I generally use the Sidekick rules (either Expert or Warrior) + the special abilities of the creature.

In combat, let the group decide the actions of the companion, to avoid them becoming an ''extra character'' for a single player.

 

[Crimson Longinus]

Unless it’s granted by a feature that says otherwise (such as the Find Familiar spell or the Beast Master’s animal companion), it’s an independent actor. Just like any other NPC, it gets its own turn in combat, and the DM controls its actions. A trained animal like a war dog will generally follow commands (no action needed), provided it recognizes the one giving the commands as its master. However, it isn’t mindlessly obedient - it still has a sense of self-preservation and will act accordingly.

Which strangely enough makes it much better than the beast master's companion and highlights the weirdness with the lobotomised beast master pets.

 

[AOieiosle]

I run them as their MM profile. It will obey basic commands (sit, stay, attack), but an Animal Handling check to do something complex or outside the range of normal training.

 

[Oofta]

The way I would run it? In general, a dog will potentially help with tracking and be an "early alert alarm" at camp.

In a fight? A trained guard dog is probably best used to help (grant advantage on an attack) or defend (disadvantage on first hit for an individual). They can of course be taught other commands using animal handling. Commands can be given as a bonus action but they will continue following a command as best they can until the target is removed from combat or combat end.

If the animal takes damage, I may require an animal handling check, basically a morale check. If the check fails the animal will try to safely escape combat or, barring that, go full defensive. But remember, a mastiff only has 5 HP, so they're only going to be useful at very low levels unless the DM allows upgrades.

 

[Swarmkeeper]

Which strangely enough makes it much better than the beast master's companion and highlights the weirdness with the lobotomised beast master pets.

Tasha's Primal Companion solved for this at our table.

I run them as their MM profile. It will obey basic commands (sit, stay, attack), but an Animal Handling check to do something complex or outside the range of normal training.

I kinda like this and I also might make Animal Handling be part of training and bonding with the dog. It won't necessarily follow the player's commands until fully bonded - and even then will sometimes act independently in its own interest. Then again, I'd want a solution that is going to take the least amount of table time - especially for combat.

 

[Charlaquin]

Which strangely enough makes it much better than the beast master's companion and highlights the weirdness with the lobotomised beast master pets.

Yeah… I mean, there’s some value in the Beast Master’s companion being unfailingly loyal and directly obeying any order given as a bonus action. It’s just stupid that it doesn’t behave as a rational independent actor when not commanded in such a way.

 

[commandercrud]

It would probably die quick enough that it doesn't matter.

 

[TheSword]

I wouldn’t have it be better than a ranger’s companion. With 5-15 hp It would also die very very early at all but the lowest levels.

Im getting flashbacks to players using farm animals the bought with prices in the PhB to trigger traps back in the days of AD&D.

At best, after a substantial period of training and acclimatizing to it’s new master I would allow basic commands to be used out of combat and in combat it would probably run away from anything scarier than a human/elf/gnome.