How to Tame Wolves in Valheim

Build a strong wooden pen (enclosure) on flat ground and make a wolf chase you inside the cage. Then throw raw boar or deer meat on the ground and stay close for two days until it becomes your friendly pet.

Introduction

This comprehensive guide covers how to tame wolves in Valheim, providing step-by-step instructions for Valheim players seeking to tame wolves for base defense, steady resources, and loyal companions.

Whether you want to protect your base, breed wolves for meat and pelts, or have a reliable ally in the harsh mountain biome, this guide will walk you through every stage of the process.

You'll learn how to prepare for wolf taming, build a secure wolf pen (enclosure), lure and trap wolves, feed and tame them, breed your own wolf pack, and troubleshoot common issues.

Preparing In the Mountain Biome

Wild wolves inhabit the Mountain biome in Valheim, making this the only place to find them. The mountain biome spawns wolves frequently during the night, so use this as a clear plan before moving into the three steps.

Recommended gear and supplies:

• Iron or silver armor

• Frost resistance mead

• Medium healing meads

• Cooked sausages

Scout the nearby meadows biome and Black Forest for extra wood and stone and be ready to fight if other threats show up.

1-Star and 2-Star wolves also spawn at night and are stronger than regular wolves, so be prepared for tougher encounters.

Once you are prepared and have gathered your supplies, it's time to build a secure wolf pen (enclosure).

Building A Wolf Pen (enclosure)

A wolf pen (enclosure) is a secure enclosure built to trap and tame wolves.

Choosing a Location

Build a 4x4 meter pen on flat ground to begin, since the main challenge is finding enough level space to create a durable enclosure.

Materials Needed

• Stakewood fencing for the walls

• Simple gate on one side of the structure

• Roundpole fences (cost two wood but break quickly)

• Stakewood fences (cost four wood and possess higher durability)

Constructing the Pen (enclosure)

Use stakewood fencing for the walls and add a simple gate on one side of the structure. The mountain biome spawns wolves frequently during the night. Scout the route through the Black Forest first so you can gather resources there and arrive ready for the fight.

With your pen (enclosure) ready, you can move on to trapping and luring wolves.

Trapping And Luring Wolves

Luring the Wolf

Begin by creating a wolf enclosure on a flat area, since finding level ground is the main challenge. Make the pen (enclosure) about 20 by 20 and reasonably big so the wolves have enough space and comfort. Find a wolf and shoot it with a weak arrow. When the icon appears over its head, start the chase and run back toward the pen before it can catch you. Keep your stamina meter high.

Closing the Pen (enclosure)

Step inside the pen (enclosure) so the wolf follows you. Quickly build a stakewood wall to close the one-space gate opening you left for luring.

Escaping Safely

Jump over the fence to escape the attack.

Once the wolf is trapped, you can begin the taming process.

Taming Wolves: Feeding And Patience

Feeding Wolves

Drop raw meat near the wild wolf. The following types of raw meat work well:

• Raw boar meat

Throw the food over the fence from the outside. The hit provokes the wolf safely. Once it spots you, an alert cue appears over its head, and it begins the chase. Yellow hearts will appear above the wolf while eating.

Waiting for Taming

Stay close to the pen (enclosure) during the taming process and wait nearby. Leaving the zone stops the taming progress meter, and if the wolf catches you the trap can fail, so keep your stamina high. With enough time, it will eventually become a pet.

Wolves finish taming in thirty minutes of game time, or about one or two in-game days. During that time, leave the wolf eating in peace, since teleporting away freezes the process completely. Once you see hearts, just wait a bit longer and it will eventually become a tame pet as long as it stays calm and fed.

After your wolf is tamed, you'll need to keep yourself and your new companion safe.

Handling Aggressive Wolves And Safety

Wear Fenris armor to increase your running speed, since taming takes about 30 minutes of real play, or roughly one to two in-game days. Eat stamina food like muckshake before the hunt. Carry extra healing meads. Stand on top of adjacent wooden posts to sneak a safe look at the animal and repair any damaged walls or fencing before it breaks out.

Once your wolf is tamed and secure, you can move on to breeding.

Breeding Wolves

To breed wolves, follow these steps:

1. Place two tame wolves in the same pen (enclosure).

2. Throw several pieces of raw meat on the ground so they stay happy and mate.

3. Watch for pink hearts above their heads.

4. Wait about a week in-game for a cub to appear.

To manage breeding, repair the pen (enclosure) before you start if any wall pieces were damaged. A wolf cub will appear after a short delay, with the birth taking about a week in game. Build a larger pen if the parents stop reproducing, and you can sneak a look from the posts without disturbing the wolf.

With a growing pack, you'll want to manage your wolves effectively.

Managing A Wolf Pack

Breeding Pairs

Walk up to two tame wolves in the same pen (enclosure) and press the use key to set up a reliable breeding pair.

Commands

Tamed wolves can be commanded to follow you as companions or stay at your base for defense. This action toggles between follow and stay commands. Use following wolves as a pet companion to guard your character during exploration. Leave staying wolves at your home for base defense.

Feeding and Care

Feed them meat, since tamed wolves breed only when they are happy and feeding helps them mate. After mating, a wolf cub is born after about one week in-game. The cub stays near its parents. Use name tags to organize your breeding stock and manage pen (enclosure) size for reliable breeding.

If you encounter issues, the next section will help you troubleshoot.

Troubleshooting And Common Issues

Wolves sometimes clip through single walls. Build double-thick stakewood fences to prevent this issue. Gaps under the fence happen on rough hills. Rebuild those sections on completely flat earth. Nearby enemies frighten the wolf and stop your taming progress.

FAQs

What food tames wolves?

Wolves eat raw boar meat and raw deer meat.

Can tamed wolves breed?

Yes, two tamed wolves breed inside a shared pen (enclosure).

How do you speed up taming?

Stay near the pen (enclosure) and keep the floor stocked with meat.