What’s the Deal with Dog Collars in Arc Raiders?
Look, I get it—when you first hear about needing a “Dog Collar” in Arc Raiders, you’re probably wondering why a survival extraction shooter needs pet accessories. Here’s the thing: in a game where every run could be your last and losing your hard-earned loot stings like crazy, you’ll quickly learn to appreciate any advantage you can get.
Enter Scrappy the Rooster, your unlikely MVP. This feathered friend isn’t just for show—he’s actually a loot-collecting machine that makes your base runs more rewarding. But to unlock his full potential, you’ll need Dog Collars. Yeah, it’s a bit odd giving a rooster a dog collar, but hey, survival makes for strange bedfellows.
Why Dog Collars Matter (More Than You Think)
Before we dive into locations, let’s talk about why you should prioritize finding these items:
The primary use: Training Scrappy to level 2 and beyond, which directly translates to better rewards after each successful extraction. Think of it as passive income for your raids.
Secondary benefit: Dog Collars are classified as rare items, meaning they fetch a decent price if you’re strapped for coins and need quick cash. Sometimes selling one makes more sense than hoarding it.
The catch? These collars are genuinely rare, so don’t expect to stumble upon them every raid. You’ll need to know where to look and be prepared to check multiple locations.
Where to Find Dog Collars: Best Locations
Dog Collars spawn in Residential areas, which narrows down your search considerably. The trick is knowing which specific buildings have the highest spawn rates.
Top Farming Spots in Buried City
The Buried City map is your best bet for Dog Collar hunting. Focus on these three hotspots:
- Grandioso Apartments – Multiple floors with plenty of drawers and shelves to check
- Santa Maria Houses – Residential cluster with good loot density
- Red Tower – Less obvious but surprisingly reliable for rare residential items
The Blue Gate Area
If Buried City feels too crowded or dangerous, The Blue Gate offers solid alternatives:
- Ruined Homestead – Smaller location, easier to clear quickly
- Raider’s Refuge – Good balance of safety and loot potential
- Village – Multiple buildings to check, though more spread out
The Hidden Gem: Research & Administration
Here’s something interesting I’ve noticed: while Dog Collars are technically residential items, they can also spawn in high-value loot areas. The Research & Administration building in Dam Battlegrounds has produced Dog Collars multiple times, even though it’s not marked as residential. Don’t sleep on this location.
Pro Tips for Efficient Dog Collar Farming
Check every shelf and drawer. I know it sounds tedious, but Dog Collars blend in with other items. In residential buildings, make it a habit to open every container—you’d be surprised how often they’re hiding in plain sight.
Consider Night Raids for better odds. Yes, night runs are tougher with reduced visibility and potentially more aggressive enemies. But the trade-off is worth it: rare loot spawns more frequently during these raids. If you’re geared up with good shields, ammunition, and have your weapons properly upgraded, a Night Raid might be your fastest path to a Dog Collar.
Use Safe Pockets wisely. If you find a Dog Collar but still want to keep looting, store it in your Safe Pocket immediately. This ensures you won’t lose it if things go south before extraction.
Plan your extraction route. Knowing how to extract safely with valuable loot is crucial. Don’t grab a Dog Collar only to lose it because you didn’t have a Raider Hatch Key or clear exit strategy.
How to Actually Use Your Dog Collar
Once you’ve successfully extracted with a Dog Collar (congrats, by the way), here’s what to do:
- Head to your Workshop back at base
- Navigate to Scrappy the Rooster
- Select Train to use the Dog Collar and level him up
Each training level increases the quality and quantity of supplies Scrappy collects for you between raids. It’s a permanent upgrade that pays dividends over time, making those risky raids for Dog Collars absolutely worth it.
Should You Sell or Use Your Dog Collar?
This is honestly a situational call. Here’s my take:
Use it for training if: You’re planning to play long-term and want to maximize efficiency. The passive rewards from a trained Scrappy add up significantly over dozens of raids.
Sell it if: You desperately need coins for immediate upgrades like workbench improvements or essential skills. Sometimes short-term survival beats long-term optimization.
My recommendation? Train Scrappy to level 2 with your first Dog Collar, then consider selling extras until you’re financially stable. There’s no point in hoarding training items if you can’t afford the gear to survive raids.
Additional Resources and Quick Links
Want to dive deeper into Arc Raiders? Check out these resources:
- Official game pages: PlayStation Store | Xbox Store | Official Website
- More survival tips: Best tips and tricks for beginners
- Farming guides: Mushroom locations | Lemons and Apricots
- Quest help: A Bad Feeling quest walkthrough
- Optimization: Best PC settings | Increase storage space
Ending Note
Finding Dog Collars in Arc Raiders requires patience, the right locations, and a bit of luck. While they’re rare, focusing your efforts on residential areas—especially in Buried City—will significantly improve your odds. Remember, Night Raids boost rare item spawns if you’re feeling confident.
Scrappy might seem like a minor feature, but those post-raid rewards add up fast. Investing in his training early pays off in the long run, making those stressful extraction runs feel a bit more worthwhile.
Now get out there and start checking those apartments—your rooster is counting on you.
Need help with unlocking Security Lockers or looting Harvesters for legendary blueprints? We’ve got guides for those too. And if you’re new to the game, don’t forget to claim your Twitch Drops and learn how to play with friends using Crossplay.
