The Dog Handler is an interesting concept but fell somewhat flat in our game. This prompted me (as GM) to come up with some house Rules for...
Dog Handler
Sic-A-Dog: This skill works as usual, however, has the following additional Stunts:
Tame: due to their close relationship with dogs, the Dog Handler can attempt to apply similar techniques to tame other animals. This stunt may only be applied once per skill roll. Initially only broken animals may be tamed. However, if after spending additional time (3D6 hours) with previously tamed animals the PC can reroll the Sic-A-Dog skill and reapply the stunt for increased effect:
o Roll 1: animal is effectively domesticated livestock. It does not fear nor attack the PC. If removed from its natural environment the PC must feed and otherwise care for the animal. It will defend itself normally.
o Roll 2: animal becomes a socialized pet or a mount that can carry both people and/or equipment.
o Roll 3: animal can be trained to follow complex commands as well as special skills (i.e. Guard, Protect, Perform, Attack, etc.) Additionally, animal loses any inherent species hierarchy as the PC becomes its Alpha.
o Roll 4: animal becomes an obedient companion. Animal will defend the Dog Handler unconditionally.
Husbandry: the Dog Handler becomes adapt at caring for animals as well as discerning valuable traits. When applied to an animal, the Dog Handler can control selective breeding such that desirable traits are reinforced while undesirable traits are diminished/bread-out. To use this stunt, the Dog Handler must have access to more than two mated pairings of the same or similar animal species.
Situational Awareness: the Dog Handler is attuned to animal behaviors and can discern the location and severity of environmental dangers (if any) by observing the local wildlife.