Struggling to upgrade your Scrappy in Arc Raiders? You’re not alone. Finding a Dog Collar in Arc Raiders can feel impossible, but this rare item is essential for leveling up your trusty companion. In this complete guide, we’ll show you exactly where to find Dog Collars, the best strategies for hunting them, and everything you need to know about using them effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Dog Collars are rare items found only in residential areas across Arc Raiders maps
- Best locations: Blue Gate, Buried City, and Dam Battlegrounds residential buildings
- Search in cabinets, drawers, and containers – these are the primary spawn points
- Night Raids increase your chances of finding rare Dog Collars
- Essential for upgrading Scrappy from level 1 to level 2
- Can be salvaged into Fabric for crafting materials
- Use free loadouts when hunting to minimize losses
Where to Find Dog Collars in Arc Raiders?
Dog Collars in Arc Raiders are exclusively found in residential areas, making your search much more targeted than you might think. These rare items spawn in specific locations across the game’s three main maps, so knowing where to look is half the battle.
The key to finding Dog Collars is focusing on residential buildings marked with human icons on your map. These areas contain the cabinets, drawers, and containers where Dog Collars typically appear. Unlike common loot items, Dog Collars won’t spawn in industrial or military zones – you need to stick to residential zones.
Best Maps for Dog Collar Hunting
Blue Gate offers some of the most reliable Dog Collar locations. Focus your search on:
- Raider’s Refuge
- Village area
- Ruined Homestead (northwest of Ancient Fort)
These residential areas have high container density and relatively lower ARC activity, making them perfect for systematic searches. The Village area, in particular, has multiple apartment buildings with numerous searchable containers.
Buried City is another excellent map for Dog Collar hunting. The best spots include:
- Grandioso Apartments
- Red Tower
- Santa Maria Houses
The Grandioso Apartments complex is especially fruitful, with multiple floors of residential units to search. Each apartment typically contains 3-5 searchable containers, increasing your chances significantly.
Dam Battlegrounds might seem like an unlikely choice, but it has some hidden gems:
- Pale Apartments
- Ruby Residence
- Pattern House
The Ruby Residence is particularly noteworthy for its high concentration of residential containers. While this map sees more combat, the potential rewards make it worth the risk.
What to Look For
When searching for Dog Collars in Arc Raiders, focus on these specific container types:
- Cabinets (especially in bedrooms and living areas)
- Drawers in desks and dressers
- Storage containers in closets
- Nightstands and bedside tables
Dog Collars can also appear as loose items on surfaces like:
- Tables and desks
- Chairs and sofas
- Shelves in residential areas
Pro tip: Use the tracking system! Go to your Workshop, select “Train” for Scrappy, and click “Track” on the Dog Collar requirement. This will add a small diamond icon to help you spot Dog Collars more easily.
Best Tips for Dog Collar Hunting in Arc Raiders
Finding Dog Collars requires more than just knowing the right locations. You need the right strategy to maximize your chances and survive long enough to extract with your prize. These tips will transform your Dog Collar hunting from frustrating to efficient.
Use Free Loadouts for Maximum Efficiency
When you’re specifically hunting for Dog Collars in Arc Raiders, always use free loadouts. This strategy minimizes your losses if things go wrong. Since you’re focusing on looting rather than combat, you don’t need expensive weapons or armor.
A free loadout lets you enter raids without risking valuable gear. Once you find a Dog Collar, extract immediately rather than pushing your luck. This “hit and run” approach ensures you keep what you find rather than losing it to a well-timed ARC ambush.
Real example: One player reported finding three Dog Collars in a single day using this strategy. They entered with free gear, looted residential areas systematically, and extracted as soon as they found the item. By the end of their gaming session, they had enough Dog Collars for upgrades and extra to trade.
Master the Night Raid Advantage
Night Raids in Arc Raiders are riskier but offer significantly better rewards for rare items like Dog Collars. During Night Raids, common loot has a chance to upgrade to rare or higher rarity, dramatically increasing your chances of finding the blue Dog Collar.
However, Night Raids require better preparation:
- Bring extra shields and healing items
- Use stealth to avoid unnecessary combat
- Stick to residential areas where you know the layout
- Have an escape route planned before entering buildings
Data point: According to player reports, Night Raids increase the spawn rate of rare items by approximately 40-60%. While not scientifically confirmed, this aligns with many players’ experiences of finding Dog Collars more frequently during nighttime operations.
Systematic Search Patterns
Don’t just run through residential areas randomly. Use a systematic approach to ensure you check every possible container:
- Start from the top floor and work your way down
- Check every room in a clockwise or counter-clockwise pattern
- Focus on bedrooms first (highest container density)
- Don’t forget bathrooms and kitchens (often overlooked)
- Check behind furniture and in corners
This methodical approach ensures you don’t miss any potential Dog Collar spawns. Many players report finding Dog Collars in containers they would have missed with a rushed search pattern.
Team Up for Better Results
While you can hunt Dog Collars solo, teaming up with other players can significantly improve your efficiency. One player can focus on looting while others watch for threats. Teams can also cover more ground in residential complexes, increasing the overall search area.
Pro tip: Coordinate with your team to search different floors or sections of a building simultaneously. This approach can cut your search time in half while maintaining thorough coverage.
How to Use Dog Collars in Arc Raiders?
Once you’ve successfully found a Dog Collar in Arc Raiders, you need to know how to use it effectively. This rare item has several important uses that can significantly impact your gameplay progression.
Upgrading Scrappy to Level 2
The primary use of Dog Collars in Arc Raiders is upgrading your companion Scrappy from level 1 to level 2. This upgrade is crucial for your long-term success in the game, as Scrappy becomes more efficient at gathering crafting materials while you’re on missions.
To upgrade Scrappy:
- Return to your base’s Workshop
- Click on Scrappy’s icon
- Select the “Train” option
- Use 1x Dog Collar for the level 1 to level 2 upgrade
This upgrade increases the amount and quality of materials Scrappy gathers, making your future raids more productive. A level 2 Scrappy can mean the difference between having enough crafting materials for essential items or running out at critical moments.
Crafting Material Conversion
Dog Collars in Arc Raiders can also be broken down into valuable crafting materials. This option is useful if you already have Scrappy upgraded and find extra Dog Collars during your raids.
Recycling option:
- Input: 1x Dog Collar
- Output: 8x Fabric + 1x Metal Parts
Salvaging option:
- Input: 1x Dog Collar
- Output: 5x Fabric
Fabric is one of the most important crafting materials in Arc Raiders, used for creating bandages and other essential items. Converting extra Dog Collars into Fabric ensures you always have enough supplies for crafting, especially during extended gaming sessions.
Trading and Team Benefits
While Dog Collars don’t sell for high coin value, they’re valuable for team play. If you already have Scrappy upgraded, consider sharing extra Dog Collars with teammates who still need the upgrade. This teamwork approach strengthens your entire group and makes future raids more successful.
Real example: A squad of four players coordinated their Dog Collar hunting. Once each player had one for their Scrappy upgrade, they continued hunting to build a stockpile for new team members. This approach created a self-sustaining group where new players could quickly get the upgrades they needed.
Common Mistakes When Searching for Dog Collars
Even experienced players make mistakes when hunting for Dog Collars in Arc Raiders. Understanding these common errors can save you time and frustration in your search for this rare item.
Searching in Wrong Areas
One of the biggest mistakes players make is searching in non-residential areas. Dog Collars only spawn in residential zones, yet many players waste time checking industrial buildings, military facilities, and outdoor areas.
Wrong areas to search:
- Industrial zones and factories
- Military bases and bunkers
- Open fields and forests
- Commercial buildings (stores, offices)
Correct areas to focus on:
- Apartment buildings and complexes
- Residential houses
- Hotels and motels
- Any building marked with a human icon on your map
By focusing exclusively on residential areas, you’ll dramatically increase your efficiency and reduce wasted time.
Ignoring the Tracking System
Many players don’t know about or don’t use the tracking system in Arc Raiders. This feature is incredibly helpful for finding specific items like Dog Collars.
To use the tracking system:
- Go to your Workshop
- Select Scrappy’s training menu
- Click “Track” on the Dog Collar requirement
- A small diamond icon will appear on Dog Collars in the game world
This visual cue makes Dog Collars much easier to spot, especially in cluttered residential environments. The tracking system works for all quest items and upgrade materials, making it an essential tool for efficient gameplay.
Overlooking Loose Item Spawns
Players often focus only on containers and miss Dog Collars that spawn as loose items. Dog Collars can appear on tables, chairs, shelves, and other surfaces in residential areas.
Common loose item spawn locations:
- Dining tables and desks
- Bedside tables and nightstands
- Chairs and sofas
- Shelves and bookcases
- Countertops in kitchens
Make sure to scan all surfaces in residential areas, not just containers. Many players report finding their first Dog Collar as a loose item they almost missed.
Risking Too Much for One Item
Another common mistake is bringing high-value gear specifically for Dog Collar hunting. Since Dog Collars are rare items that might take several raids to find, risking expensive equipment is unwise.
Better approach:
- Use free or low-cost loadouts
- Focus on stealth and evasion
- Extract immediately after finding a Dog Collar
- Build up a stockpile over multiple raids rather than trying to get everything at once
This conservative approach ensures you don’t lose valuable gear while hunting for a single rare item.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why can’t I find a dog collar in Arc Raiders?
Finding a Dog Collar in Arc Raiders can be challenging because it’s classified as a rare item with specific spawn conditions. Many players struggle because they’re searching in the wrong areas or not using the right strategies. Dog Collars only appear in residential buildings, specifically in cabinets, drawers, and containers. If you’re having trouble, focus exclusively on residential areas in Blue Gate, Buried City, or Dam Battlegrounds. Use the tracking system by going to your Workshop and clicking “Track” on the Dog Collar requirement in Scrappy’s training menu. This will add a visual indicator to help you spot them more easily.
Do you ever need more than one Dog Collar?
You only need one Dog Collar to upgrade Scrappy from level 1 to level 2. However, having extra Dog Collars can be useful for several reasons. You can salvage them into Fabric, which is a valuable crafting material used for bandages and other essential items. Extra Dog Collars are also great for helping teammates who haven’t found one yet, or as backup in case you lose one during a raid. While not essential for progression, having a small stockpile of 2-3 Dog Collars can be beneficial for your overall gameplay experience.
Where are all the dog collars located in Arc Raiders?
Dog Collars in Arc Raiders are located exclusively in residential areas across three main maps. In Blue Gate, check Raider’s Refuge, Village, and Ruined Homestead northwest of Ancient Fort. For Buried City, the best spots are Grandioso Apartments, Red Tower, and Santa Maria Houses. Dam Battlegrounds has Dog Collars in Pale Apartments, Ruby Residence, and Pattern House. Within these areas, focus on cabinets, drawers, and containers in residential buildings. Dog Collars can also spawn as loose items on tables, chairs, and shelves. Remember that spawn locations are somewhat random, so systematic searching is key.
Are loot items totally random in Arc Raiders?
Loot items in Arc Raiders are not completely random. While there is some randomness to exact spawn locations, items like Dog Collars have specific spawn conditions and preferred areas. Dog Collars, for example, only spawn in residential buildings and prefer certain types of containers. The game uses a smart spawning system where items appear in logical locations – you won’t find a Dog Collar in an industrial factory or military bunker. Understanding these spawn patterns can significantly improve your hunting efficiency. Night Raids also affect loot rarity, making rare items like Dog Collars more common during nighttime operations.
What is the best way to find Dog Collars quickly?
The fastest way to find Dog Collars in Arc Raiders is to combine several strategies. First, focus exclusively on residential areas in Blue Gate, Buried City, or Dam Battlegrounds. Use free loadouts to minimize risk and extract immediately after finding a Dog Collar. Consider playing during Night Raids when rare item spawn rates increase. Use the tracking system to make Dog Collars more visible. Search systematically, starting from the top floor of buildings and working your way down, checking every container and surface. Team up with other players to cover more ground efficiently. This combined approach will maximize your chances of finding Dog Collars quickly and safely.
Can Dog Collars be found outside residential areas?
No, Dog Collars cannot be found outside residential areas in Arc Raiders. This is one of the most important things to understand about this rare item. Dog Collars are specifically programmed to spawn only in residential buildings and zones. You won’t find them in industrial areas, military facilities, commercial buildings, or outdoor locations. Stick to areas marked with human icons on your map, and focus on apartment buildings, houses, and other residential structures. This knowledge alone will save you countless hours of searching in the wrong places and dramatically improve your Dog Collar hunting efficiency.
Is it better to search for Dog Collars during Night Raids?
Yes, searching for Dog Collars during Night Raids is generally more effective, though it comes with increased risk. Night Raids in Arc Raiders increase the spawn rate of rare items, including Dog Collars. Many players report finding Dog Collars much more frequently during nighttime operations compared to daytime raids. However, Night Raids are also more dangerous, with increased ARC activity and other threats. If you choose to hunt during Night Raids, make sure you have better shields, extra healing items, and a solid escape plan. The increased risk is often worth it for the significantly better chances of finding rare items like Dog Collars.
Final Wordings
Finding a Dog Collar in Arc Raiders doesn’t have to be frustrating anymore. With this comprehensive guide, you now know exactly where to look, the best strategies to use, and how to make the most of this rare item once you find it. Remember to focus on residential areas, use the tracking system, and consider Night Raids for better results. Your Scrappy will be upgraded to level 2 in no time!
Ready to start hunting? Check out our Arc Raiders weapons tier list to make sure you’re properly equipped, or learn about the best Arc Raiders items to loot for profit to maximize your raid efficiency. For more advanced strategies, don’t miss our guide on All Field Depots in Arc Raiders locations.
For the latest Arc Raiders news and updates, visit the official Arc Raiders website or check out what the developers at Embark Studios are working on next. Happy hunting, and may your Dog Collar hunts be successful!
