Pet Shape Advanced Mode

Entering Pet Shape Advanced Mode for the first time will set you at Body Regions. In Body Regions there will be Head, Body, and Leg sliders for you to customize your pet. Of course Slider availability will be dependent on your selected pet.

Following body regions you can enter Face regions on the lower right hand corner. Here it will let you customize speciific areas of your pets face by simply selecting the region you’re most interested in on the Mini Map or by selecting a region directly on your pet.

Once you have completed your Face and Body Regions you can customize your pet’s eyes! We’ve also included the option to make your pets Heterochromia! Now you can have pets with two different eye colors!
 

 

Pet Coat Advanced Mode

There are four important things you need to know about Pet Coat Advanced Mode: Layers, Regions, Markings, and Fur Shapes.

Start off with the Layers panel, the first tab on the right side. Layers will let you customize your pets’ coats in an incremental way. You can add, copy, and remove layers until you get the coat color you desire.

To help organize your layers, you can name, change the color, and move the layers up and down by selecting different points of the layer. Moving the layers will require some dragging, but it’s a simple step in getting the right coat.

The Regions sections are broken up into several areas of each pet. These areas can be seen on the Pet Mini Map on the upper left. Under each area you can select pre-made designs. Once selected it will appear in your layers panel and on your dog. If you wish to add several regions make sure to add a new layer.

Next to the Regions Tab, there’s a tab called Markings. If you can’t find a region design that you want, you can create your own in Markings. Select a markings design and it will apear on the Mini Map rug and selected layer. Here you can size, rotate, and move the design on your pet.

Once Layers have been completed, select the Fur Shapes Tab next to the Layers Tab. Here you can modify existing fur shapes by mixing and matching breed sliders to create your designed shape.

If you have created a Coat Color that you want to save, you can select the last tab next to Fur Shape and save your custom color there. Once saved you will see a thumbnail of your newly created coat color. To exit Advanced Mode select the bottom left hand corner.
 

 

Linking Jump Obstacles

Linking two or more jump obstacles together allows horses and their riders to go through multiple jump obstacles without stopping. In order to achieve this, jump obstacles must be linked together at the ends of one another.

First, place a jump obstacle in the direction you want horses to jump over. Next, grab another jump obstacle with the mouse cursor. Now, the jump obstacle that’s already on your lot will show the available placement areas where you can link the object to.

By dragging the second jump obstacle to that placement area, the system will automatically link the two obstacles together. At this point, just simply put your jump obstacle down. Once you are all setup, have your Sim get on a horse and perform the Run Jumping Course interaction on any of the linked jump obstacles.
 

 

Breeding Pets

When a mommy pet loves a daddy pet very much they’ll want to start a family!

Cats and Dogs can try for kittens/puppies if they have a high enough relationship and are romantically inclined. Make sure you have a pet house on your lot so they have somewhere they can go and have some privacy.

Horses can Try for Foal if you have a box stall on your lot! You can also take your Horse to the Equestrian Center where you can Breed Mares and Offer Stallions as Studs!
 

 

Dog hunting skill

Sims can train dogs to learn the hunting skill by selecting the train to hunt interaction. Make sure to include some play time in between training sessions as dogs can quickly become fatigued while being trained.

Dogs with the hunting skill can use the dig up interaction on dig spots located throughout the world. The higher the Hunting skill the dog has, the higher chance they’ll find rare collectibles like rocks, gems, metals, or even fragments of skeletons and sculptures!

Dogs can find dig spots throughout the world by using the locate collectible… interaction (or go find a collectible interaction if your Sim is selected). If there are any, you’ll be taken into map view and special map tags will pinpoint the location of the current dig spots.

Sims can command their dogs that have the hunting skill to fetch a date fort hem on community lots that have at least one other single Sim of your Sim’s gender preference on it!

All of your Dog’s hunting skill stats and skill achievements are tracked and can be referenced in the hunting skill journal.

 

 

Cat hunting skill

Cats are natural born hunters! Practice Hunting on cat toys found in the Pet Toy Crate to build your cat’s hunting skill.

Cats can catch a variety of animals – beetles, birds, lizards, rodents, snakes and turtles. In order to locate these critters in the world, use the Locate Prey interaction in the Hunting Menu available after building up enough Hunting Skill points. This will take you into Map View and show a map tag of where to find prey of that type. Cats can also Stalk for Prey anywhere they are outside. Just select the ground and give it a try.

Sims can instruct their feline friends to catch prey by asking them to go catch something, or to go catch a specific animal. Though they try their best, there is always the chance the cat might not understand and will bring back something completely different.

Once a cat finds a suitable critter to pounce, they stalk and then get into a fight with it! If the cat wins, the critter can be found in their inventory. Animals that cats catch can be kept by Sims as pets in the appropriate terrarium.

Cats can also Hunt fish with the go fish interaction on ponds and oceans.
 

 

Cats and Dog Care

Before your cat or dog arrives, make sure you have the essentials to keep your pet happy. Cats and dogs will need pet bowls, beds, or splurge on a pet house if your wallet can afford it. In Buy Mode under the Kids’s Room you will find Pet Essentials. Additional Pets objects are available in the Pets sort under Sort by function.

If your cat or dog starts to get squirmish, make sure you take them outside. They may need to potty! Cats can potty indoors if you purchase a litter box.

New cats and dogs need attention, so make sure you socialize with the mand maybe teach them a trick or two. They can also become destructive at times, so reward them with a toy to keep them happy and having fun.

If you fail to take care of your new cat or dog, the social worker will be back to take your pet away. So make sure to tend to the needs of your pet and develop a relationship with them.
 

 

Kittens / puppies / foals

Babies! It’s always a joyous occasion when a momma pet gives birth to a cute critter. Be it a tiny kitten, a cuddly puppy, or a wobbly legged foal, these innocent animals need special care to grow up into healthy pets.

Baby kittens needs lots of attention to become healthy and socially adjusted cats. Play with them, love them, provide them with lots of food and toys, and you’ll discover the cutest companion a Sim can have.

Before they can become man’s best friend, puppies need a Sim to look out for them, teach them, and guide them as they grow up. Give your puppy a lot of special attention and healthy food so they grow strong! Don’t forget to help them up and down stairs when they’re too small to make it on their own.

A young foal is already a pretty big pet, but don’t be fooled – they need as much care as anyone to become a well raised horse. Foals are very social creatures and don’t like being alone. Keep them together with their mother, be it in the same box stall or out roaming around with each other. Make sure to let them nurse from their mom, or feed them from a bottle to ensure they get the nutrients they need.
 

 

Minor Pets

While common Minor Pets can simply be purchased, those that are rarer must be caught out in the wild. These little critters require just as much care and attention as other pets, so make sure to feed them and clean their terrariums!

Minor Pets also enjoy attention as much as other pets do! Whether this means spending some time playing with your pet, or even watching it do its own thing within a terrarium, it all contributes to keeping your little critters happy. Just be sure not to keep them in your inventory for too long, as they can escape!

If you ever feel that your Minor Pets just aren’t getting the attention they deserve anymore, you can always set them free. Letting them return to their natural habitat is always better than neglecting them. After all, being ignored enough while trapped in a terrarium can’t possibly contribute to a long and healthy life.
 

 

Equestrian Center

If you’re a prospective horse owner, a verified horse breeder, or an expert rider looking to earn some cold hard simoleons, the equestrian center is where you want to be.

Looking to jump into the world of horse ownership? Check out the horses for sale! Each one comes with a unique look and special traits. If you don’t see one to your liking then check back soon, they get new horses all the time! The better the horse, the more you’ll have to pay. Of course this can work to your advantage as well… If you’ve got a top notch horse te offer, you can make big bucks selling it here.

So now you have a horse and you’re wondering what to do wit hit. How about some competitions! Start off by attending a riding class to learn all about the riding skill. As you advance and your horse trains their jumping and racing skills, more competitions will open up at the equestrian center. These competitions are a great way to see just how well horse and rider have bonded, as well as making a little money on the side. Alternatively, just come watch a competition with friends and family for a fun social outing!

Keep your eye on the prize! Winning competitions is all about setting the right pace to gallop your way to victory, fame and fortunes! A spot on the podium means you’ll go home with a beautiful trophy to proudly display, and if you check the local newspaper you may just find yourself on the front page!

Your horse had a good run but it’s getting a little long in the tooth. That’s understandable, competitive careers can’t last forever. However, you can ensure future success by breeding a world-class line of equines! If you own a stallion, trainers from far and wide will pay you handsomly to have a chance at using him as a stud. Alternatively, mares can select from prospective partners with ideal traits to breed a strong bloodline.
 

 

Reinforceable Behavior

Pets behave in many different ways that certain Sims may or may not approve of. Through reinforcement, you can shape the behavior of your pets over time.

Certain actions that your pets perform can be reinforced through praise. In doing so, your pet will begin to learn that its behavior is acceptable. If behavior that is related to a specific trait is praised enough, your pet will eventually be trained to adopt that trait.

Any actions that your pet can be praised for can also be subject to a good scolding. If you feel that your pet’s behavior is unacceptable, scolding can make your pet acknowledge that it is behaving badly. Eventually, your pet may even learn to rid itself of certain traits that encourage its bad behavior.
 

 

Horse care

Horses are fine creatures but need a lot of care. Before your new horse arrives make sure you have a box stall, water trough, and enough hay to survive.

Your new pet may need some companionship. Make sure you spend time with your pet and socialize with them. Horses especially enjoy running and jumping.

If you fail to take care of your new horse, the social worker will be back to take your pet away. So make sure to tend to the needs of your pet and develop a relationship with them.
 

 

Race Training Posts

The Racing Training Posts allow players to create their own race training courses for their horses to learn and practice racing. With time and dedication, horses will be able to get better and improve their racing skill.

While unmounted horses can begin practicing using the training post from the get-go, Sims must have a Riding Skill of 2 or above before they are ready to practice with their horse.

Be careful though, if a horse trains for too long they can be the victim of training fatigue! This will prevent the horse from training until they are no longer fatigued.
 

 

Racing Skill

The Racing Skill is a horse only skill that increases a horse’s performance in certain Equestrian Center competitions as well as increasing the speed of a horse’s gallop.

There are many ways to gain racing skill. You can begin by practicing with the Race Training Posts or letting your horse perform the self-interaction Gallop Around. Once you feel comfortable, you can have your horse enter the Race or Cross-Country competitions at the Equestrian Center.

Sims can also help horses gain racing skill by training along with them. The higher the Sim’s Riding Skill the faster the horse increases their Racing Skill.

 

 

Riding

Riding a horse is a great new way to travel, but unlike Sims they cannot travel everywhere. Horses are not able to walk up or down stairs, use the elevators, or walk through doors. If a Sim riding a horse is commanded to go to a location that they cannot travel to, the horse will route to the furthest location they possibly can and the Sims will dismount and continue towards the destination.

When Sims are riding a horse, there are certain interactions they can perform without the need to dismount. Interactions with a horse or Sim icon in the interaction menu denotes that Sims will stay mounted and perform that interaction. Any interaction that does not have the horse or Sim icon will push the Sim to dismount the horse before performing that interaction.

Not all horses are willing to listen to their masters from the get go. Horses who have the Untrained trait require a higher relationship with Sims before they will allow them to saddle or ride them. The more time the Sims spend riding or saddling the horse the faster the horse becomes trained.
 

 

Riding Skill

The Riding Skill encompasses both a Sim’s ability to ride horses and to train them. Its purpose is to reward horse lovers for their devotion to their equine friends. As the Riding Skill improves, new interactions appear for Sims.

There are a few ways to gain Riding Skill. You can start off by reading Riding books which can be purchased from your local bookstore, or you can also attend riding classes at the Equestrian Center.

If your Sim is more of a hands on type of Sim, you can immediately learn riding by getting on your horse and begin riding around town. Other interactions like Train for Jumps or Train for Racing also increase Riding Skill.
 

 

Jumping skill

The jumping skill is a horse only skill that makes it more likely for the horse to successfully clear jumps. It also increases a horse’s performance in certain equestrian center competitions.

There are many ways to gain jumping skill. You can start off by doing the easier jumps over the cavaletti and then move on to the more difficult gate and rail obstacles. Horse can also gain jumping skill by competing in jumping or cross-country competitions in the equestrian center.

Sims can also help horses gain jumping skill by training along with them. The higher the Sim’s riding skill the faster the horse increases their jumping skill.
 

 

Fleas

Aargh, fleas! These annoying pest are originally contracted by pets who spend an extended period of time outdoors. They make your skin itch and totally kill your mood.

If you spot a pet with fleas you’ll want to avoid them – coming in contact means there’s a chance the fleas could spread to you!

Fleas can be cured with a rigorous bath for pets, or a hot shower for Sims. Be sure to scrub thoroughly to ensure those critters are gone!

After a soothing flea bath, your pet can roam outdoors worry free for a period of time. The medicine is still at work and will help protect you from contracting fleas again while it lasts. A quick spray from the pet hygienator is also a great way to stay flea free!
 

 

Bird Care

Birds make for excellent companions, with lives that last nearly as long as any Sim. They love to talk, play, or even play tricks! As a low-maintenance pet, they’re just the thing for a Sim that can’t take on the full responsibility of pet ownership.

Simply owning a bird cage or tree will allow you to purchase certain types of birds, but to acquire the rare and highly sought after ons, you’ll have to explore and find them in the world.

Birds need to be fed and their cages cleaned as part of their routine care. If you own a cat, make sure to keep a close eye on them or your bird may find themselves to be a feline’s tasty treat.

Taking a stroll around town with a bird on your shoulder can be quite the conversation starter. Or course if you have a large bird, perhaps they’ll be the ones to start the conversation! Teach your large bird to talk and you’ll never need to leave home to get your social companionship. Be careful though, birds don’t know the meaning of “shut up”.

Give your large bird the freedom to spread their wings! If you open the door to their cage, or let them perch on a bird tree, they’ll occasionally fly around the house. Place a tree in different spots of your home and they’ll fly from perch to perch!