Dog AI QoL Improvement: “Free Roam” State and Recall Command

Introduce a new behaviour for tamed dogs that reduces micromanagement but keeps existing balance and mechanics.

Dogs have two main states:

Follow — which often leads to pathing issues, accidental deaths, and interference.

Sit — which immobilises dogs completely.

This makes dogs feel inconvenient rather than living companions.

Solution: Replace / extend “Sit” with a “Free Roam” state

When a player interacts with a dog to make it wait, the dog enters a free roam mode instead of sitting. In this state, the dog:

Wanders naturally

Remains within any enclosed area (fences, walls, similar blocks)

Does not follow the player

This uses existing pathfinding and enclosure logic already present in the game.

Add a “Recall” action A simple command or interaction (e.g. hotbar action, whistle item, UI button).

When used, all owned dogs within the existing teleport range immediately return to Follow mode.

Dogs outside teleport range are unaffected.

Why Uses existing mechanics (pathfinding, enclosures, teleport distance).

Adds no power creep or balance changes.

Reduces frustration without removing risk.

Makes bases feel more alive and dogs feel like companions rather than liabilities.

Benefits: Fewer accidental pet deaths, less micromanagement, better immersion, improved usability in both single-player and multiplayer

Notes: Visual feedback (tail animation, subtle particles, or posture change) could distinguish Free Roam from Sit. Ownership rules would remain unchanged to avoid multiplayer issues.