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To tame a dog in Minecraft, you tame a wolf. The game calls the animal a wolf, and players usually call a tamed wolf a dog. Hold a bone and use it on a wild wolf that is not hostile. Each bone gives a one-in-three chance of taming it, so a failed attempt just means you try again with another bone.
Steps to tame a wolf
- Find a wild wolf and approach it without provoking it. A wolf that is hostile cannot be tamed with a bone.
- Hold a bone in your hand.
- Use the bone on the wolf. The exact control depends on your edition and device, so check your edition’s current controls if you are unsure which input to use.
- If the wolf does not become tame, use another bone. Each attempt is independent, so there is no fixed number of bones that is guaranteed to work.
How the taming odds work
Mojang’s official “Taking Inventory: Bone” article, published in 2019, states that using a bone on a wild wolf gives a one-in-three chance of taming it. The same article says that using a bone on a hostile wolf has a zero chance of taming it and carries a high risk of serious injury, so the safer route is to wait for a calm wolf.
Because the result is random, some players tame a wolf on the first bone and others need several. Running out of bones is the only real limit, so carry a stack before you start.
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Choosing a wolf variant
If you want a particular look, the wolf’s appearance depends on the biome where it spawns. The Java Edition 1.20.5 release notes, titled “Armored Paws,” list nine wolf variants and their natural biomes. These notes describe that release, so check the notes for your version if your game differs.
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| Wolf variant | Natural biome |
|---|---|
| Woods | Forest |
| Pale | Taiga |
| Ashen | Snowy taiga |
| Black | Old growth pine taiga |
| Chestnut | Old growth spruce taiga |
| Rusty | Sparse jungle |
| Spotted | Savanna plateau |
| Striped | Wooded badlands |
| Snowy | Grove |
To get a specific variant, travel to its biome and look for wolves there before you tame one.
Version notes: armor and health
Mojang’s March 6, 2024 article “New Minecraft Wolves” introduced the additional wolf variants and added wolf armor. Wolf armor absorbs incoming damage from enemies until it breaks, and armadillo scutes can repair it. The same article described a health change that set fully grown wolves to 40 hearts across editions at that time. Armor and health are useful context for a tamed wolf, but they are not steps in taming one.
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- ICONIC DESIGN: Featuring the loyal and beloved Wolf from Minecraft, this ultra-soft and fluffy stuffed animal brings both comfort and a playful touch to any space—making it the perfect room décor piece for Minecraft fans of all ages.
- SOFT & COMFORTABLE: Made of 100% polyester microfiber, this pillow buddy provides great support for any child.
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Baby wolves
Mojang’s “Tiny Takeover” update page tells players to find wolf pups in different biomes. You can tame a favorite pup with a bone, the same mechanic used on adult wolves.
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- STANDARD SIZE MINECRAFT PLUSH: Measures approximately 15 inches long
- KID FRIENDLY: Suitable for ages 3 and up
- AUTHENTIC VIDEO GAME TOY: Officially licensed by Minecraft; designed and created by JINX
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- From A Minecraft Movie, the Food Mode Dennis interactive plush wolf is fuzzy and soft to the touch!
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