Resolved: Bloodhound does not spook animals up to 50 metres.

[soft yacht]

RESOLVED: It turns out that the common perception in the general chat that the dog spooks animals at about 50 metres is not true.
Thank you, Rexio, for the concise explanation!

I'm constantly told that the dog only freaks out at 50 metres but the video clearly shows that the dog starts having a panic attack within a second of me spotting an animal (after a warning call) at 100 metres. It happens almost always and is just silly, imo. If I hear a warning call I need to make sure the dog lays down before spotting, so that he doesn't make the animal flee. In my opinion, 100 metres is too far. And why would an animal detecting you making the dog go crazy anyway? Is this realistic IRL? I don't really understand the purpose of this feature and it is why I almost never take the dog during a hunt. It makes sense to me if you've taken the dog on a very long hunt and have not regularly praised it, pet it or feed it but this is happening within minutes of starting the game and within metres from the outpost/tent.

[ember spindle]

The dog does not make the animal flee, the dog makes its sound "because the animal is about to flee"..
An animal's warning call indicates that your location has been detected and focuses its attention on you, however that does not mean that the animal is about to flee...
The "Critical Position" state of the dog indicates that the animal's Fear Bar has exceeded a certain limit and if it hears/sees/smells anything else it will flee immediately, so you must stop all movement when you see that state..

It is a very useful tool to stalk animals or detect them through the forest, if an animal is about to flee it means that it is very close, so you just have to stop and look for it, it is like an extra sense that helps you hunt, You just have to learn to use it to your advantage.

[ember spindle]

Just to clarify, the dog only scares away animals that are 5 meters away from him, and no sound the dog makes is heard by the animals no matter how far away they are..

[soft yacht]

Thanks for clarifying. It's been unclear to me for a long time and I've always wondered. A lot of the confusion is coming from what I read in chat.
When people say that the dog spooks animals within 50 metres/yards is this false? From what you say, if it is only 5 metres then it is not really a concern.

[ember spindle]

Yes, only when an animal is 5 meters from the dog can you see it, so it is not an impediment to hunting any animal as long as the dog is kept close and is not allowed to run freely without commands.
It is only a problem when hunting waterfowl since they usually land very close to the player, and if the dog is there they see it and flee the moment they land

[soft yacht]

Ah, good point re waterfowl. Will take note. Thank you, again. You've been a huge help!

[ruby vessel]

it will be interesting to see if the retriever will have a decreased threat limit vs birds and rabbits

[soft yacht]

Good question.

[high sequoia]

I haven’t noticed my Lab spooking any geese yet when she’s laying down and one lands close. 🙂

[soft yacht]

Interesting. I've noticed that the labrador will spook when retrieving and running through a flock of landing ducks (which makes sense) but doesn't spook at all when laying down, as you say. I'm assuming this is how it is meant to work. Hopefully.