For exploring, Seek is the big unlock at Houndmaster level thirteen. Have Mutt search while you're out walking and pay attention when he starts leading you somewhere.

For exploring, Seek is the big unlock at Houndmaster level thirteen. Have Mutt search while you're out walking and pay attention when he starts leading you somewhere. He can point you toward interesting places and containers, including things you might pass without noticing. That makes him useful even if you don't want him fighting. It also means following him isn't automatically safe. A chest can be sitting in an occupied enemy camp. Have a look at where he's taking you before charging after him. Alarm, available at level ten, has him growl when enemies are nearby. Sniffer, at level five, helps with avoiding ambushes during fast travel. Those sound similar, but they serve different purposes. Alarm is particularly relevant when you're travelling on foot or playing Hardcore without fast travel. Nice Doggy is another early option at level three and gives Henry a small +1 Charisma bonus. It won't solve every conversation, but it's a useful extra for having him around. His noise can get irritating, particularly when he finds something or can't reach you. In the first game, his ordinary barking isn't an automatic alarm that exposes Henry to nearby NPCs. His wandering can still get in the way of positioning, though. If you're trying to pickpocket someone or work in a cramped space, have him wait somewhere out of the way.