Nintendogs Online Strategy Guide
So you're ready to embark upon the great journey of pet ownership, eager to bond with a new puppy to call your own. There's just one problem: You don't understand Japanese!

Normally, that'd be a huge problem, but we here at IGN have got you covered. Welcome to our Nintendogs guide, designed and crafted to get you moving towards a loving relationship with the puppy of your dreams (and all that mushy jazz). Whether you're new to Nintendogs or just looking to find fresh things to do with your game, you'll find this introductory guide to be informative and entertaining.

In this Nintendogs strategy guide, you'll find:

• Walkthrough and tips for starting your game to help you through the scary Japanese text of doom.
• A helpful guide on other things to do with your young Nintendog pup.
• Details on taking part in puppy competitions, including tips to make your puppy a winner.
• A list of puppy tricks to teach your dog, including all the tricks we've uncovered.
• A Nintendogs translation guide that details the general menus with helpful English translations of the Japanese text.

Get the Nintendogs Online Strategy Guide

Data Die
After loading Nintendogs, on the screen where the Nintendo logo is on top and copyright information on the bottom, press and hold L + R + A + B + X + Y simultaneously to delete your data from the cartridge.

Unlockable Dogs
Beagle: Collect 17000 Owner Points
Cavalier: Collect 4000 Owner Points
German Shepard: Collect 8000 Owner Points (alt.: collect 4000 trainer points).
Jack Russel Terrier: While on a walk, your dog may come across an Item called the Jack Russel Book. If you visit the kennel, you can now buy the single Jack Russel Terrier
Labrador: Collect 10000 Owner Points
Pug: Collect 25000 Owner Points
Schnauzer: Collect 2000 Owner Points
Yorkshire terrier: Collect 14000 Owner Points
Pug - Collect 2000 trainer points

Submitted by tyler

Unlockable: Desktop
Acquire 6000 Trainer Points.

Hint: Free Gifts and Toys
While you can purchase new toys for your pup to play with, you can actually get some goodies for free if you know where to look. When you take your Nintendog on a walk, outline a path that goes by the blue "?" boxes marked on the map. Your puppy is likely to run off screen at those points and come back with a present for you!

Your puppy will also randomly run to get presents for you if you leave the game on the "Home" screen for long. If left unattended, your Nintendog will leave the apartment and stay off screen. Simply tap on the center button (the circular one) to whistle and call back your pup who should be carrying a new present.

Hint: Gift Locator
To find out if garbage or a present is approaching during one of your walks, look at the top screen. There should be the little dog symbol on the path that you drew. If that dog symbol stops and your dog is still walking, this indicates that either garbage or a present is coming up on the floor. If it is a present, tug your dog to a stop and your dog will notice it. It will pick it up and bring it over to you. It is easier to do this when your dog is running.

Hint: Beat The System
Prior to attending a contest, save the game. While attempting the trial, you may opt to turn off the Nintendo DS and reload your save (before the contest) to retry without docking your daily contest limit.

Hint: Easy Trainer Points
Navigate to the screen where you wash your puppy. Instead of actually brushing the puppy, leave the brush over your puppy (in the center of your dog). For each real-time minute the brush stays there sits there, you should gain one Trainer Point.

Hint: Walk Till You Drop
Before making the last stop in the park, change your dog's collar to auto-save your game. Turn off the DS and cold boot the game. This will enable you to save any items you found during the walk and restarts your walk at the same time, allowing you to farm the park for items.

Easter Egg: Bulb Treat
When the light bulb appears, Use the stylus to drag the light bulb over your Nintendogs mouth. Your Nintendog will eat it. This has nothing to do with your Nintendogs hunger as it will do nothing to make it full or hurt.