How to win every race in Dog Sled Saga

If I had to guess, I’d say Dog Sled Saga is the most adorable racing game on the App Store right now. It’s a dog sled racing sim full of adorable, loyal puppies. Just look at those fluffy little tails wagging.

Behind that cute, pixelated facade is a racer and pet management sim that’s actually quite deep. There’s a lot to consider both off and on the trail. Use these tips to help you conquer the dog sled racing circuit.

Pay attention to your lines
The lines attached to your dogs’ harnesses can often get tangled, slowing down your team significantly. You’ll want to avoid this, of course, and luckily there’s a way to do a little pre-emptive maintenance to keep you sledding smoothly.

Keep an eye on the lines as your dogs run down the trail. If you notice some slack in the leads don’t hesitate to pull them apart. This will keep your lines from getting tangled without you losing speed, so pay attention!

Aim for perfect throws
There are a lot of perks if you can skillfully toss treats to your dogs mid-race. Most importantly, it keeps them in top racing shape and prevents any slowdowns. If your dogs catch treats on the first try, you’ll get that pleasant little “perfect!” message, and it also pleases your fans. You’re here to win, but you’re also here to put on a show. Perfect throws are a great way to build up your fame and win those oh-so-important sponsorships.

Learn how to read your dogs
Pulling a sled around is hard work, and your loyal pups will eventually tire out. Notice when your dogs start to pant. There are three levels of heavy breathing: light, medium, and exhausted.

You’ll want to pay attention to these signals carefully. As the courses ramp up in difficulty, treat stops become increasingly rare, so you don’t want to be chucking Milk Bones around haphazardly at the first sign of exhaustion. The best time to feed your dogs is somewhere around the second tier, which is when you’ll get those coveted perfect throws.

With that said, it’s always better to feed your dogs sooner, rather than later. If there’s an obstacle coming up, like rocks or trees, it’s a good idea to feed your pups beforehand rather than risk them tiring after making a jump. Pay attention to your dog’s fatigue ratings and what’s happening on the trail and you’ll soon have a natural knack for it.

Dog sled racing isn’t for chumps, even if it’s just a video game. It’s essential that you keep your dog’s needs first on your list of priorities, while also paying attention to the trail. Follow the tips above and you’ll be racing with the pros.

Are you an expert musher? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below.