Table of Contents

From Pipsqueak to Pup: A Simmer’s Guide to Aging Up Puppies in The Sims 4

So, you’ve welcomed a fuzzy little bundle of joy into your Sims 4 household. Congratulations! But those puppy years are fleeting, and you’re probably wondering: How do you age up puppies in Sims 4? The answer is delightfully simple: you can use a birthday cake or, if you’re impatient, a cheat. Let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of both methods.

The Birthday Cake Method: A Celebration of Puppyhood

This is the most common and, arguably, the most fulfilling way to age up your puppy. It allows your Sims to celebrate the milestone and feel connected to their furry friend’s growth.

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

Bake a Cake: Head to your Sim’s refrigerator or stove. Select “Bake a Cake” and choose any cake you desire. The type of cake doesn’t matter for aging up purposes. Just pick whatever your Sim has the ingredients for and enjoys making!
Add Birthday Candles: Once the cake is baked, place it on a surface. Click on the cake and select “Add Birthday Candles.”
Call the Puppy Over: Make sure your puppy is nearby. It might take a Sim to call them over if they’re distracted.
Select “Help Blow Out Candles”: Click on the cake and select “Help Blow Out Candles”. A Sim (preferably the one with the highest relationship with the puppy) will pick up the puppy and bring them over to the cake.
Witness the Transformation: Voila! After the candles are blown out, your puppy will magically transform into an adult dog. Get ready for more playful interactions, training sessions, and cuddles with your fully-grown canine companion.

The Cheat Method: Speeding Up the Puppy Years

For those who prefer instant gratification or need to age up a puppy for gameplay purposes (storytelling, challenges, etc.), the cheat method offers a swift solution. Be warned: using cheats can sometimes lead to unexpected glitches, so save your game beforehand!

Here’s how to age up your puppy using cheats:

Enable Cheats: Press Ctrl + Shift + C on your keyboard to open the cheat console. Type in testingcheats true and press Enter. This activates cheats in your game.
Find the Puppy’s ID: This is where it gets a little technical. You’ll need the puppy’s Sim ID. You can get this through a Mod like the UI Cheats Extension or by using a different cheat. Since there’s no reliable vanilla cheat, you’ll most likely need to use a mod.
Use the Aging Cheat: Once you have the Sim ID, enter the following cheat code: sims.addbuff buffAgingUp. Select the puppy, enter the cheat, and press Enter.
Watch the Magic Happen: The puppy will immediately age up into an adult dog.

Bonus Tip: Aging Up Multiple Puppies

If you have a litter of puppies and want to age them up simultaneously, you can use the birthday cake method multiple times, one after the other. For the cheat method, you’ll need to repeat the cheat for each individual puppy, using their respective Sim IDs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Aging Up Puppies

Here are some frequently asked questions regarding aging up puppies in The Sims 4:

1. Can I age up a puppy prematurely?

Yes, using the cheat method allows you to age up a puppy before its natural lifespan dictates. However, it’s generally recommended to let puppies experience their puppyhood for a while to enjoy the unique interactions and training opportunities available at that life stage.

2. Can I reverse the aging process after using a cheat?

Unfortunately, no. Once a puppy is aged up, whether through a cake or a cheat, you cannot reverse the process without using a mod that alters Sim lifespans or allows you to edit Sims in Create-a-Sim (CAS) mode.

3. Does the type of cake I bake affect the aging process?

No, the type of cake is purely aesthetic and doesn’t influence the aging process of the puppy. Feel free to bake your Sim’s favorite cake!

4. Can children or toddlers help blow out the candles to age up the puppy?

Children can help blow out the candles, but toddlers cannot. A Sim who can carry the puppy to the cake must perform the action.

5. Will aging up my puppy affect its skills or training progress?

No, aging up a puppy won’t reset its skills or training progress. Any skills learned as a puppy will carry over into adulthood.

6. My puppy won’t age up when I click on the cake. What am I doing wrong?

Make sure you have added birthday candles to the cake. The “Help Blow Out Candles” option won’t appear without candles. Also, ensure your Sim has a good relationship with the puppy, as this can sometimes affect the interaction’s success.

7. Can I age up a stray puppy that I haven’t adopted yet?

No, you need to add the stray puppy to your household first before you can age it up.

8. Do puppies age up automatically after a certain amount of time?

Yes, puppies age up automatically after a set number of Sim days, depending on your lifespan settings (short, normal, or long). However, using a cake or cheat allows you to control when the aging occurs.

9. Does having the Cats & Dogs expansion pack affect the aging process?

No, the Cats & Dogs expansion pack doesn’t change the fundamental aging process for puppies. It simply adds more breeds, traits, and interactions related to pets.

10. Are there any moodlets or consequences associated with aging up a puppy?

Sims may receive positive moodlets from witnessing the puppy’s birthday. The puppy itself won’t experience any specific moodlets related to aging up.

11. Can I age up a ghost puppy?

Yes, you can age up a ghost puppy using the same methods as a living puppy. The resulting adult dog will also be a ghost.

12. Will aging up a puppy affect its relationships with other Sims and pets?

No, aging up a puppy won’t negatively impact its existing relationships. In fact, the increased interaction options available for adult dogs might even strengthen those bonds.

13. Does the lifespan setting (short, normal, long) affect how quickly a puppy can be aged up with a cake or cheat?

No, the lifespan setting only affects the natural aging process. Using a cake or cheat will always age up the puppy instantly, regardless of the lifespan setting.

14. I used the cheat, but my puppy didn’t age up. What could be the problem?

Double-check that you typed the cheat code correctly, including any spaces. Also, ensure that testingcheats true is enabled. If still unsuccessful, try restarting your game.

15. Where can I learn more about the educational aspects of gaming and simulations, like The Sims 4?

There are many resources available, including academic research and organizations dedicated to exploring the intersection of games and learning. I highly recommend checking out the Games Learning Society at GamesLearningSociety.org (https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/) for insightful research and discussions.

There you have it! Aging up puppies in The Sims 4 is a breeze, whether you prefer the celebratory cake method or the speedy cheat option. Now go forth and nurture your virtual canine companions!