John Wick's Dog is a Sidekick you can earn in Fortnite Chapter 7 Season 3, the Runners season. He shows up on the island locked inside a cage and watched over by guards. Free him, give him a pet, and the Dog (Pen & Ink) Sidekick is added to your collection for every match going forward.
Quick answer: Own the Chapter 7 Season 3 Battle Pass, then land near the caged dog, eliminate the guards (including the reinforcements that rift in), interact with the cage to free him, and pet him. That unlocks the Dog (Pen & Ink) Sidekick.
What you need before you start
The unlock is tied to the Runners Battle Pass. You must own the Chapter 7 Season 3 Battle Pass for the Dog (Pen & Ink) Sidekick to register when you free or pet the dog. Without it, the rescue still happens in the match, but the Sidekick will not be added to your account.
You also need to be ready for a short fight. The cage is defended, and more enemies arrive once the first two go down, so drop with a weapon and some shields rather than running in empty-handed.
Where to find John Wick's Dog on the map
The most reliable spot is the southern building at Sinister Strip, where the dog sits caged and guarded. He has also turned up at other points of interest, including the underground sewers at The Battlewoods, and the exact spawn can shift from match to match. When you get close, his position is pinned to both your map and your HUD, so you can track him for the rest of the round once he appears.
| Location | Where exactly |
|---|---|
| Sinister Strip | Inside the southern building |
| The Battlewoods | Underground in the sewers |
How to rescue and pet John Wick's Dog
Step 1: Land at one of the spots above and grab a weapon plus any shields nearby. The cage area is defended, so arrive prepared rather than landing with nothing.
Step 2: Approach the cage and take out the two guards standing watch. Aim for headshots to drop them quickly before they wear you down.
Step 3: After the first pair falls, more guards rift in to defend the dog. Clear all of them too before moving in, since the cage stays locked while enemies are active.
Step 4: Walk up to the cage and interact with it to free John Wick's Dog. On controller this is X or Square, and on PC it is E.
Step 5: Pet the dog by pressing the same Interact button. That completes the Battle Pass quest and unlocks the Dog (Pen & Ink) Sidekick.
Tip: If another player has already cleared the guards and opened the cage in your match, you do not have to fight at all. Just walk up to the freed dog and pet him to claim the Sidekick yourself.
Rewards and how to confirm it worked
Freeing the dog completes the John Wick's Dog Battle Pass quest, and the Dog (Pen & Ink) Sidekick is added to your account. Rescuing him can also grant extra loot in the match, including a chance at a Legendary Lancehead Pistol. Once the quest registers, the Sidekick is yours for all future games, so you do not need to repeat the rescue.
Unlike some other Sidekicks, you do not lock in a final look for this one. The cosmetic extras unlock simply by playing matches with the Dog (Pen & Ink) Sidekick equipped.
| Customization | Type |
|---|---|
| Good Dog | Emoticon |
| Heart of Gold | Reaction |
| Gradient Style | Style |
| Sweet Tricks | Sidekick Emote |
If the Sidekick does not appear after a match, the most common reason is not owning the Chapter 7 Season 3 Battle Pass. The rescue can still play out in the round, but the unlock only sticks for Battle Pass holders. Equip the Dog (Pen & Ink) Sidekick from your locker, then keep playing to start filling in the styles, Emoticon, Reaction, and Emote.