Herding with the Dog

[Leqwack]

I have to say the herding mechanic seems either broken, or I am doing something horribly wrong. Judging by other comments, though, people are also having an issue.

Considering this could be a hugely important feature of bringing any quantity of animal to the farm, it not working properly makes me think the mechanic needs further looking into.

It simply doesn't work.

First, when using the whistle, the dog marker shoots off to either side of the screen and alters the camera, requiring you to use the edge of the screen awkwardly when aiming the marker. Second, it seems like no matter what I do when trying to herd a pack of animals, even just 2 animals, really, the pack splits. Not only do they split, but they then run to either side of the screen, never forward, as your dog is now basically chasing it that way. But if you try to bring the dog towards you and then behind the animal to move it forward, the fact that the animal is already ahead of the dog causes the dog to just be chasing the animal backwards.

Any attempt to correct the direction of the animals by blowing the whistle, to make the dog corral them back and forth from the outside, doesn't actually move the animals forward and stay together. Instead they, again, split and run to either side of the screen.

It just doesn't seem possible to even progress forward with animals herding them this way.

So now it makes me never want to let any animals out of their pens, especially a large number of sheep. Getting them through the woods was frustrating enough. Took me forever to get them home. Attempting to group them up and aim them through a small gate in the fence would be a nightmare.

The only alternative is to pet each and every one of them to get them to follow you home. This method makes the herding useless, because now you just have to bee-line it home without worrying about them deviating at all.

I feel like the herding COULD be really good. But as of now, it feels incredibly finicky and tedious.

[Asrya Hawklight]

So I figured it out, and it does take some adjustment. The camera follows the player. The whistle, when F is clicked, will move the dogs position to the right or left of the player accordingly. From there, you basically line up the yellow light with where you want your dog to be, and together you both herd a group. You can turn the group by slightly shifting the yellow light with your camera.

[TamanduaGirl]

I think the idea is try to have them between you and the dog so they don't split. But so far I just print and tackle pet them and then have them follow me to the farm counting in my head and repetting them along the way.

[Asrya Hawklight]

Yup! That is the idea. The herd will also match your speed if you sprint behind them with the dog using the herd mechanic.

[Leqwack]

Wait that all makes so much more sense. Idk why I thought the entire mechanic was centered around JUST the dog herding. Thanks all!

[Rubyhart]

I also thought it was just around the dog at first. Once I realized we were working as a team and had the herd between us it really clicked into place for me. I think the instructions in game could be really improved so it is more clear. With the latest patch, the magic flute is probably more efficient now - but I think I may still use my pup most of the time. I like working with my bestie.

[astephens512]

if you hold F you can control where the yellow circle is and the dog will heard your animals much easier