Is there something like a "Housebroken" Trick for Pets?

[harmor]

I know this may sound silly, but this came up. If we have pets that are indoors do we need to spend a ''trick'' for them to be housebroken?

[LazarX]

harmor wrote:

I know this may sound silly, but this came up. If we have pets that are indoors do we need to spend a ''trick'' for them to be housebroken?

Break out your pooper scooper mate.

1. Just like main characters going to the loo, It's something the designers didn't consider it worth using page space on. (and every paragraph counts)

2. Most animals simply aren't trainable in that area...which is why you generally kept them outside. (and if you think today's city streets smell, you should have seen city streets in the horse and oxen drawn eras.)

[harmor]

Well...its a Dog Animal Companion in a City Adventure.

[KaeYoss]

I'd say you don't need to blow a trick on that. It's a freebie. And I'd also rule that you can get most critters house-trained. If they can teach dwarves to not drop their waste wherever they go, they can teach anything!

[Tiny Coffee Golem]

KaeYoss wrote:

I'd say you don't need to blow a trick on that. It's a freebie. And I'd also rule that you can get most critters house-trained. If they can teach dwarves to not drop their waste wherever they go, they can teach anything!

word

[harmor]

That's a great house rule, but what does RAW say? Would Perform be the appropriate trick is one is to be required?

Perform (DC 15)

The animal performs a variety of simple tricks, such as sitting up, rolling over, roaring or barking, and so on.

or would you suggest:

Work (DC 15)

The animal pulls or pushes a medium or heavy load.

instead? :-P

[Shadowborn]

The problem is, the RAW doesn't say anything. So you'll have to make do. Tricks are meant to allow the animal companion to do things that are useful during adventures. Since where and when animals do their business doesn't really further the adventure, I wouldn't consider it a trick. Most dogs are housebroken while they are still puppies, and it doesn't take a professional trainer to teach them, so why waste a trick on it?

[Lyrax]

Elves don't need to spend a feat on this, despite the fact that they live in trees since birth. :)

I don't see any reason that animals should need a trick for this in the game, since it doesn't really matter. Perhaps it could be packaged in with guard, perform, heel, stay, or seek.

[Ivan Rûski]

Have the animal companion make a will save every hour it is indoors. Start with a low DC (maybe 5), and increase it by 2 every hour.

[AbsolutGrndZer0]

Ivan Rûski wrote:

Have the animal companion make a will save every hour it is indoors. Start with a low DC (maybe 5), and increase it by 2 every hour.

LOL I like this.

[wraithstrike]

harmor wrote:

I know this may sound silly, but this came up. If we have pets that are indoors do we need to spend a ''trick'' for them to be housebroken?

Most games don't go into that level of detail. I don't RP the characters going to use the bathroom, taking a shower, and other normal activities.

The tricks are for combat mostly. If you want to add that level of realism you can, but I would not say it is needed for most groups.

[cfalcon]

Dog? No way you should need to blow a trick on that.

Look, my dogs are retarded, but they know not to poop in the house.

[Kryptik]

Really? Is someone really making a big deal about dog s***?

Wow.

[LeadPal]

harmor wrote:

or would you suggest:

Work (DC 15)

The animal pulls or pushes a medium or heavy load.

instead? :-P

I loled.

[Shifty]

Along with all adventurers being perfectly literate, the dog being housetrained is a 'gimme'.