Is there a way to stop Mutt from getting in the way?

[Rhapsody]

He's constantly running between me and opponents in fights, even when he's not ordered and even cannot attack human opponents yet.

[MacSuibhne]

If you tell him to "heel" he will stay close to you. That's the way it works will a real dog, as well.

If you tell him "free" he will roam to either side of you and not get underfoot as much.

As for "attack human opponents"... you have to train him up and at some point those abilities / perks will become available.

I think Mutt is a good companion and worth working with. He can make the difference in a number of situations--he can find treasure that is nearby; he will warn you if unseen enemies are close; he will kill camp dogs; he will kill or otherwise distract human opponents who are intent on beating on Henry. And he can bring down even big game animals such as boar and red deer.

Yes, he can get in your way when you're picking herbs. and yes, he seems to be underfoot occasionally, although I have never stumbled over him nor has my horse. And he howls.

What it comes down to is, again, the player--if the player is in a hurry to get through this game, simply moving to the side when Mutt is blocking you picking that patch of wormwood, is probably too much to ask. But, of course, that 'impatience' itself, seems to be a harbinger of other issues...for some, at least.

Mutt is optional--you can always send him back to the mill. But in looking back, it strikes me that he's not any worse than Lydia. IMO....

[Rhapsody]

Originally posted by MacSuibhne:

If you tell him "free" he will roam to either side of you and not get underfoot as much.

Yeah, I finally figured it out. But if you have him on heel and you end up in a fight, can't do anything about it then, which is... idiotic, to be frank.

Originally posted by MacSuibhne:

Mutt is optional--you can always send him back to the mill. But in looking back, it strikes me that he's not any worse than Lydia. IMO....

At least Lydia comes with essential status and no loyalty meter of any kind, and it's far easier to control what you're actually hitting in that game. Plus she can carry your loot. lol

[wjpower2003]

If you think you are going to have to perform an activity like herb-picking or bandit-killing then you can order him to stay and he won't move.

If you are taken unawares by bandits before you can do this, the best you can do it try to switch targets and hope that he doesn't get in the way, wait for the target to injure Mutt so that he runs away, or you can bash Mutt yourself so that he runs away (don't worry, he'll return later).

[MacSuibhne]

Originally posted by Rhapsody:

Yeah, I finally figured it out. But if you have him on heel and you end up in a fight, can't do anything about it then,

Well, I don't know any good reason to have him on heel. Even in town I let him roam...he knows where I am and if I need him all I have to do is call.

At least Lydia comes with essential status and no loyalty meter of any kind, and it's far easier to control what you're actually hitting in that game. Plus she can carry your loot. lol

Mutt is an essential NPC. He can't be killed. And you've got a horse for loot. I don't know what difference any of the rest makes. But I guess it goes without saying that KCD is not TES.

I think it's a little unreasonable (and maybe even a little boring) to expect anything other than what WarHorse envisioned.

Again Mutt is optional. Going back to the OP, the best way to stop him from "getting in the way" is to send him back to the mill.

[Rhapsody]

Only thing I'm expecting is to not have a otherwise useful sidekick get constantly in the way of my attacks. Even on "free", he still gets in the way exactly same way as when on heel.

[DargonBlak]

Originally posted by Rhapsody:

Only thing I'm expecting is to not have a otherwise useful sidekick get constantly in the way of my attacks. Even on "free", he still gets in the way exactly same way as when on heel.

i don't use the dog for the reason that he gets in the way or is a distraction or burden.

the best use i found is to tell him to attack one opponent while i go after another.

unfortunately, Mutt doesn't fair well against upper tier opponents and ends up scurrying away rather quickly (and i feel bad, then just leave him at home).

[Alexoferith]

I seldom use the "heel" command. Only used it to see what it does and most of the time by mistake after that. In any case, issuing the command "free" does not stop Mutt getting in Henry's way, especially when Henry, or rather, you, want to do something, especially when you try to use the grind stone to carry out some maintenance to your weapons. This is particularly annoying. It literally stops you from operating the grindstone because Mutt is in the way. The only thing I could do was to move away from the grindstone and wait for Mutt to come to me. Then I issue the "stay" command. It was only then I could use the grindstone without any interruption. Saying all these, Mutt is useful in a fight acting as an distraction, hence allowing Henry to put in a couple of hits which can totally end the fight there by killing the enemy outright. Also, Mutt helps the chance to survive a fight where Henry is outnumbered by 5 to 1. But then again, to be sure of surviving a fight like that, Henry has to take a vitas potion, blood potion and maybe a Lazurus (spelling) potion. But all these can only be done before the fight actually started. In other words, you have to be aware of where you are and the possibility of getting into a fight first.

[Salami Tsunami]

I am completely new to the game, but I foresaw this issue coming, and declined to take him on adventures with me. Thank you for affirming my decision making.