How to Train a Pet in Sims 2: Pets

Pets can bring fun and joy to a Sim's life, but an untrained pet can bring a Sim down. Fortunately, pets in "Sims 2: Pets" are trainable. Sims can mold their animal's behavior whichever way they like. They can encourage certain behaviors and teach their pets certain commands.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Behavior Training

1. Look for a little circle icon in your pet's portrait. If this is visible, the pet is taking part in a behavior that your Sim can either encourage or discourage.

2. Click on the pet and choose "Praise for" or "Scold for," and then select the action you would like your Sim to take. For example, if your dog has just piddled on the floor, your Sim can choose "Scold for" and then "Peeing on the Floor." Each time a Sim scolds or praises the pet, the pet's behavior will begin to change.

3. Train your pet in 8 areas of behavior. These behavior areas include calm or disruptive, clean or filthy, eats pet food or eats Sim food, housebroken or yardbroken, playful or hostile, respectful or destructive, stays off furniture or goes on furniture and stays off Sim beds or goes on Sim beds.

Teaching Commands

4. Teach your pet a command by clicking on her with the active Sim. Choose "Teach Command," and then the option. Your Sim will teach the pet the command and build a relationship score at the same time. It may take several command lessons before your pet will perform the new command.

5. Hire an obedience trainer if your Sim doesn't have time to teach his pets new commands. The obedience trainer's fees are 25 Simoleons per visit, plus 75 Simoleons per hour. Have your Sim pick up the phone and call the obedience trainer. When she arrives, click on her and choose "Purchase Training For (enter pet's name)." She will work with the pet until the pet's needs drop too low or 9 p.m., whichever comes first.

6. Once your pet has learned a command, your Sim can direct the pet to perform the command at any time. Click on the pet, choose "Command," and then pick the command you would like the pet to perform. Both the Sim and his pet get fun and social boosts from the pet performing command actions.

7. Your Sim can give a pet a treat to reinforce a good behavior. This will have the same effect on the pet as praising. Choose the "Give Love" interaction, and then "Feed Treat."

Tips & Warnings

• Training pets in positive behavior and teaching it commands can increase the pet's resale value. Training untrained pets can represent a good money-making opportunity for your Sim.