Getting a puppy while TTC - yea or nay?

Question

Hi ladies, some background info:
My husband and I love dogs but never raised one together before. My family has had our bichon frise for 12 years now, but I was in high school when he first came to live with us so I can't say I raised him myself even though I did feed, walk, and bathe him in turn with my sisters (we had 6 ppl in the house, with my stay-at-home mom as main caretaker). Same for hubby, his family used to have a poodle for 15 years but in their case his mom did all the work so he's clueless about how to raise a dog.

Anyway we've been trying to conceive for about a month now, so not too long. Would raising a new dog before the baby arrives (we're not even preggo yet haha) be crazy, or wonderful? I've heard some women lose interest in their dog once baby arrives, or are way too tired so they don't have enough energy to give attention to the dog anymore. I don't want that to happen. Am I just thinking too much about this?

Answer

My husband and I just got a puppy and she's helped keep me occupied and not focus so much on TTC...time flies being so busy with her. She's a great pup and it'll be nice to not have two infants in the house once we do get pregnant. I say go for it- if you feel like you both are ready for the responsibility then do it- they always say start with a dog! Haha

Answer

I guess it all depends on what challenges you are willing to take on. We got a puppy in May last year and started TTC in June. I knew if we got pregnant right away i would be in for a lot of work. I grew up with pets and had really been missing having one.

My reasoning basically came down to if we don't get a puppy before TTC I know we won't get one once I'm pregnant or we won't have a puppy with a newborn and I figure we'll have two kids which means I'm easily 5+ years away from having a pet.

Ultimately, we got pregnant in July, I miscarried in September and we waited a couple months. We are back TTC now and our pup is 10 months old. He'll be about a year and a half if I get pregnant right now  I know I'll still have my hands full but he will also be a good reason to get up and moving with a baby.

Answer

We got a puppy when baby was six months. It was really hard at first but now baby is s year and they are best friends and she doesn't have jealousy issues our friends dogs have..

Answer

Awww do it! I have a lab which needs constant attention but he is helping me through the heartache of not being pregnant every month. He's a lot of hard work but definitely worth it and I would never sack him when I baby comes along. He's part of the family ❤️

Answer

I would wait.

Puppies are a handful and take a lot of training if you want to have a well behaved dog.

If you want to get a dog now, have you considered adopting an older dog (not necessarily old, but maybe 3 or 4 years old)?

Answer

I have a 7 yr old 4 yr old and TTC #3 n just got kids a 5 mos old puppy. They r work just like having a kid but they r so loving! Worth every headache. Ur hubby might have to help lots when baby comes n ur exhausted n feeding every couple hours doubt u will wanna walk a dog after labor but it's doable

Answer

My husband and I don't have children yet but we do have two dogs (they are both getting on up in years). They sleep in the bed with us or on a pillow in their bed that we made them or on a blanket in the couch. Yes it's hard work caring for a puppy. I had both of mine before my husband and I ever started dating and they are as much a part of our family as anyone else. They love children and love babies. Although my husband doesn't wan them in my baby cousins face when she is at our house i still say they are great with babies it's men (not my husband) that one of them don't like. They both would sleep with the baby wherever she would fall asleep. I personally don't want to ever go without a dog or puppy but they are a lot of work.

Answer

If you answer yes to these questions get one! Need an exercise buddy? A couch cuddler? Extra kisses? Unconditional love? Are you capable of taking care of another being or need practice? You need a couple Teamwork project? You want to save a dog's life, rescue!

Answer

Ive always wanted another dog and if we're still TTC in two years I'm totally getting a puppy. Not going to put my life on hold, gotta try to live in the moment.

Answer

Dogs really don't get the same attention once baby arrives. If we got a puppy it would probably be something easy to traib like a German shepherd. But puppies are a lot of work.

Getting a puppy while TTC - yea or nay?

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