Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Puzzle 009: One Poor Pooch

Original diagram for Puzzle 009: One Poor Pooch

Move two matches so a matchstick dog shows what it looks like after being run over.

Chapter
Chapter 1
Location
Manor Foyer
Picarats
35 picarats
Type
Matchstick
Region
Same in all versions
Hint 1: A gentle nudge. Tap to flip.
Hint 1

What would the dog look like after being hit, and from where would you be looking at it?

Tap to flip back
Hint 2: The key idea. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Hint 2

A dog lying flat on the road, seen from above, has its legs sticking out to the sides.

Tap to flip back
Hint 3: Almost there. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Hint 3

The legs at the ends can stay where they are. It's the two in the middle that need to move.

Tap to flip back
Answer: See the answer. Unlocks after the previous card is flipped.
Answer

The answer is move the two middle legs up above the back, so you see a flattened dog from above.

Tap to flip back
Solution, FAQ and sources

Solution

The two outer legs stay put. Take the two middle legs and place them above the dog's back, one at each end, pointing up.

Now the dog has legs sticking out at all four corners. Instead of a dog walking, seen from the side, you're looking down on a dog flattened on the road with its legs splayed out.

About this puzzle

Matchsticks are laid out as a dog seen from the side, walking along. Then a car runs it over. Move two matches so the picture shows the dog after the accident. Don’t assume you’ll still be looking at it from the side.

Unofficial fan guide, not affiliated with LEVEL-5. Puzzle description, hints and solution written by Hint by Hint.

Similar puzzles: Puzzle 111: Mystery Item, Puzzle 008: Farm Work, Puzzle 011: Arc and Line, Puzzle 007: Wolves and Chicks

All Professor Layton and the Curious Village puzzles

FAQ

What is the answer to Puzzle 009, One Poor Pooch, in Professor Layton and the Curious Village?

The answer is move the two middle legs up above the back, so you see a flattened dog from above.

Where do you find Puzzle 009 in Curious Village?

Puzzle 009 appears in Chapter 1, in the Manor Foyer area.

How many picarats is Curious Village Puzzle 009 worth?

35 picarats.

Sources

Facts checked on November 14, 2026

Unofficial fan guide. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by LEVEL-5 Inc. Professor Layton, The New World of Steam, and all related names, characters, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.