Hi!
I read in different threads about all these things people can do, like tie wardogs to an entrance or throw a cat into a channel where you flood it with water/magma and other stuff, how on earth do you do all this kind of stuff ? to me it just seems like I have no control over anything like this, I just give basic orders and wait for my dwarfs to dig that, carry that, build that or make that, lol.
Well, that is part of learning the game: Some of these things require you to look carefully at what options certain commands offer you, while others are just clever applications of features.
For example, tying wardogs to an entrance is basically a very easy thing (though I haven't done it myself as I hate dogs and do not suffer them in my fortresses):
1. Acquire stray tame dog. (brought on embark or bought)
2. Acquire rope or chain. (brought on embark, bought, or produced in your workshops)
3. Build kennels if you don't have them and give the train war dog order
4. Build the rope/chain (under the 'b'uild menu, you have to select restraints) at the location you want it to be. Basically, the creature will be in the 3x3 square with the rope/chain in the center.
5. Once the dog has become a war dog (green announcement), 'q'uery the rope/chain and 'a'ssign the war dog.
A dwarf will then fetch the war dog and tie it to the rope/chain.
One very nice aspect of
Dwarf Fortress is its consistency which allows us to be creative and use things in an unusual manner. So, you should see it as a challenge to your creativity. Have fun!
Deathworks