Help files:

  1. How to Play Virtual Pups - First Time Player Guide
  2. Frequently Asked Questions About Virtual Pups
  3. How to Navigate Virtual Pups
  4. Dogs Help File
  5. Events Help File
  6. Advanced Game Features

How To Play

Here we will introduce you as a new player to virtual pups and answer some of the most common questions. Please start by reading the terms of service. Failure to follow these rules can result in you being banned from the game and losing any investment you may make to the game.

Virtual Pups is a multi-user game base. There are many players playing the game at the same time as you. You can interact with the other players and dogs in many ways using the links and icons near the top of the page.

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You will start the game by purchasing a dog from other players either through Puppy Plaza where they've listed their dog for sale, you might buy a dog listed in the Classified section of the forums or even check out the Bark Park where sponsors can advertise their services and dogs for sale. Go slowly when purchasing dogs. Novices can only have 20 dogs before they can't purchase more. Also, the more dogs you have, the more it costs to take turns.

When you start, you won't have a lot of money, so spend it sparingly. There are lots of ways to make money, such as neutering and releasing dogs, training dogs for other players, or if you are artist, players are always looking for pictures to put on their dogs and layouts (another fun feature allowing you to personalize your kennel), but it doesn't come easily or quickly in the beginning. The tips and tricks section of the forums has quite a few new player advice threads.

**Tip** The stars next to a dog's stat numbers are what determine how good a dog is, the more stars, the better. As a first dog, you might also want to look for stats that are 200 or better, as these dogs are already trained and will have a better chance at eventing and will give you better pups.

Once you have your dog, there are many things you can do with it, name it (if it's unnamed), put a picture on it, you can train it and play with it, breed it (if it's breeding age), event it, put it up on Puppy Plaza for sale or if it's a male, for stud. The Canine Help Files can explain what everything on the dog's page mean.

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You can train or play with it by clicking on the My Kennel Link and selecting one of the activities listed beneath training or you can click on the dog's name and see more details about the dog, as well as train it. Once you are done training, click on take turn and a new virtual day starts on your kennel and you can train some more. You might also contact another player to train your dog for you. The game has sponsored training kennels that give bonuses when a dog is being trained on that account.

Training is important whether you intend to breed the dog or event it. Training raises the stats, the higher the stats, the better pups a dog will produce (meaning the pups will sell for more money than if the parents aren't trained) and the better its chances at winning in events. To learn more about training, you can view the training help files or get more specific advice in the Tips and Tricks section of the forums. A good way to find sponsor trainers is on the Bark Park, in the Training Contact and Connect section of the forums or in chat.

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Eventing dogs can be fun as you pit your dogs against others in events. You don't have to be in the game when events run. When they run, you'll be notified on the management page if your dog did well. The more events your dogs are in, the more fame you get as the owner. Fame can be used in a variety of ways, from increasing your kennel's status on the Top Kennels board and top dog board, to increasing stats on dogs and other things like featuring your dog on Puppy Plaza.

To have the best chance at being successful at eventing, you should train your dogs well. The best place to find sponsor trainers, to give your dog the best chance, are on theBark Park, in the Training Contact and Connect section of the forums or in chat. You can also take a look at the Tips and Tricks where players have posted their own advice on eventing and take a look at the Eventing Help Files.

If your dog is old enough, at least one year old and not older than 12 years and 6 months, it's in the fertile range for breeding. Males can be breed at any time while fertile, but females must be in heat in order to be bred. Sponsor breeders can bring any fertile female into heat at any time.

Make sure you breed your dog with a dog of the same breed, or you'll end up with Mutts that are born sterile and unable to breed. Also use your breedings sparingly at first, at least until you get the game figured out, as you start out with only 25 breedings and once those are gone, you don't get any more unless you upgrade to a sponsor. The best place to get your dogs bred and have puppies is on a sponsor breeding account. They have bonuses that help you get better and more pups from a breeding. Bark Park, the classified section of the forums and chat are the best places to find a sponsor breeder.

The Virtual Pups community is a great community. Players are usually willing to help new players out with advice. You can meet some of them by being active on the forums, in chat or messaging them in game. Just remember that they are people too and aren't always able to answer right away or are busy with other things.

Advice for not getting on the bad side of players:
-Please don't use private messages to try and sell your dogs, it's against the rules and irritating to other players.
-Try to use plain English when messaging other players.
-Be polite and other players will most likely be nice to you.

Most important: Have fun and enjoy the game!!