How to Get D Dog in Metal Gear Solid V

Last Updated: December 23, 2021

One unique gameplay mechanic introduced in Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain is the buddy system. Buddies serve as Venom Snake’s backups during missions, and each have different skills and abilities that allow for a myriad of options when infiltrating or even attacking enemy bases and outposts. Although D-Dog might not seem as appealing as Quiet or as convenient as D-Horse, he is one of the most indispensable buddies you’ll acquire in the game. You can use him to scout out an enemy outpost/base as well as to serve as a distraction for enemies during infiltration missions.

Steps

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During this mission, Ocelot will introduce Mother Base as well as other game mechanics to you. One of these game mechanics is the use of the Fulton Recovery System. Without this, there’s no way that you can hope to extract D-Dog in the next step.
After completing Episode 3, have your helicopter pick you up at your Command Platform and proceed to your Aerial Command Center (ACC). Once at the ACC, you’ll need to open up your iDroid and go to your mission list to choose Episode 4: C2W. ^{[1]
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When taking on this mission for the first time, you are presented with only one option for your landing zone. Drop over this landing zone to start the mission.
You should hear a puppy barking right after you disembark from your chopper. The noise will almost always originate near the tree that’s closest to where you landed. Go ahead and move to the location of the noise and you should find a cute puppy wagging it’s tail at you.
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Tranquilize and extract the puppy. Take out your tranquilizing pistol and shoot the puppy. After he falls asleep, get close to him so that you can then extract him using the Fulton Recovery System. ^{[2]
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- If you listen to Miller’s instructions over your iDroid at the start of this mission, he will inform you of the puppy’s presence.
Now that you’ve extracted D-Dog, you will need to wait a while for him to grow up. While waiting for this to happen, take on the main story missions and side ops first. Ocelot will ask you to get back to Mother Base to check on D-Dog’s growth twice. The first time is usually after you complete Episode 5 and some side ops. The second time you get called back will be sometime before Episode 7 or 8, and you should now have D-Dog available as your buddy.
As soon as he’s available, make sure to take D-Dog with you on missions. By doing this, you get to increase your bond level with your buddy. Doing so will also unlock development for equipment that will allow D-Dog to kill, stun, and even use the Fulton Recovery System on enemies and vehicles. ^{[3]
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