https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 10 Apr 2026 22:18:53 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc/page/2#post-293734 Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:21:52 +0000 Mrs. Superhero 293734@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got a kitten when our baby was 3 months old. Not quite the same, but we really wanted a pet and didn't want to wait until she was older. It was all good. I know cats are less work, but I would do it. To me we feel more like a family with a pet. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc/page/2#post-293711 Thu, 13 Sep 2012 15:59:34 +0000 Modern Daisy 293711@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love dogs and I do eventually want one, but absolutely not. I used to have one in the city and we dog sit all the time for friends so I know first hand how expensive and time consuming they are. Without a baby it's annoying enough to have to take them for walks three times a day, especially in bad weather - forget the training involved when they're puppies. </p> <p>But that's just my personal opinion, I think if you're okay with all the work and the expense then there's nothing wrong with it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc/page/2#post-274444 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:32:31 +0000 kml636 274444@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I say go for it. Of course you have to get the right dog that is good around kids, but it will give you something else to focus on besides TTC. LO is due in 11 weeks and my DH wants another dog (we have one very energetic one now)! I am trying to get him to wait until the baby is like 6 months old! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc/page/2#post-274408 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 10:05:17 +0000 blackbird 274408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I thought of something else this morning...</p> <p>my parents had a younger dog when i was born. A doberman pincher. He was the sweetest thing, apparently. And when i was sitting against a glass window, he tried to eat me. He was extremely territorial about it and became dangerous. My parents ended up having to get rid of the dog, lest he tried to eat me. I don't believe it's a common problem, but it does exist </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc/page/2#post-274404 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 09:54:25 +0000 mamimami 274404@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Adopt a dog! Although I didn't have any problems conceiving, I am of the opinion that you shouldn't really put things off while TTC. You never know when it will happen and you don't want to put off other happinesses until then! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-274337 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 09:01:21 +0000 Beebug 274337@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@regberadaisy: oh goodness, our guy had demodex mange for 6 months last Fall. Just reading the words in your post I just cringed. It was so, so awful, we were/are greatful to have insurance for the insane cost to treat his!</p> <p>To the OP. I think there are so many variables. We own a very, very wonderful Golden Retriever. Unreal tempermant (tempermant within breeds can vary, let alone breed to breed!) He will be wonderful with our children and is a breeze to have around the house, despite his health issues.</p> <p>I think an older dog is a good suggestion, but not always the best answer or right fit. Older dogs can come from bad homes, if you go that route I would suggest a rescue that can best match you with a dog for the best temperment for you.</p> <p>We brought home a 2nd dog (rescue puppy) a week before our BFP, and we did find her a new home a few weeks later. I felt like such a failure, we did a TON of work with her, but her tempermant was the kicker. Puppy, or 3-4 + years down the road she was a very different dog than our other dog and I'm not sure no matter how much work we did she would be a good fit. We learned a huge lesson, and looking back it was the right one.</p> <p>It's not just age, or puppy vs. Rescue. It's temperment and suitability to your household and your lifestyle. So many different breeds or mixes to choose from, hard to know what's best. Whatever you do, don't rush in, and do lots, and lots of research to find the best fit :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-274263 Wed, 29 Aug 2012 07:46:18 +0000 sweetooth 274263@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks for the great feedback everyone! You definitely gave me a lot to think about. I'll keep you posted :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-274095 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 20:51:53 +0000 Trailmix 274095@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally would!! If you get a puppy, you'll have plenty of time to train it before a baby arrived and that's only if you happened to conceive the same month you got the dog!<br /> We adopted an 8-week-old pup and she was totally trained by 4 months old and was so so so much fun to raise her, it really was great training for a baby! I'd def rather get a dog first, then have a baby so I vote yes, especially bc I know guys have been trying for a while and for me, the love my dog gives me totally helps with the lack of a baby right now...go for it! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-274058 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 20:16:59 +0000 JerricaBenton 274058@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't get a puppy but maybe it's just specific to our dog. He is 3 and just now mellowing out a little bit. It really would have been difficult to have a baby when he was 2 or 1. We probably wouldn't have been able to put as much effort into training him. That being said, as a relatively new dog person, the companionship and love of a dog is seriously amazing. You don't know how long it'll take you to conceive but if you get a dog that is even 2 or 3 that could make all the difference training and behavior-wise.</p> <p>ETA: I always knew my husband would make a great dad but having our dog made me 100% sure so that's a plus! They teach you a lot about self sacrifice if you've never had one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273999 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:32:01 +0000 pinkcupcake 273999@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got a puppy a few months before we got pregnant and it turned out fine :) I think she actually helped me stay in shape since I was forced to walk her all the time. We have two other dogs as well that we've had for several years. I don't think the dogs made any aspect of pregnancy or baby-raising harder. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273980 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:17:31 +0000 BSB 273980@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got a dog years before we TTC. I don't know if I would want to train a new dog while pregnant. </p> <p>I was on cycle 8 so its taking longer than expected to get pregnant. If I had known it would take this long and I wanted another dog, I might get a dog.</p> <p>I do love my dog. She is a great dog. She definitely has her issues but it's a good practice for a future baby. Not saying pets will get us completely ready but helps us take care of something other than ourselves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273974 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:11:11 +0000 PawPrints 273974@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No way don't even think about it on buying a puppy. I read way too many accounts of people who work in animal shelters talking about the horrors of having to put animals to sleep when the shelter gets overcrowded, and plenty of those young dogs used to be puppies who got booted out the door when they didn't get along with the new baby. Just look at Mrs. Bee's post about considering giving away their cat after Charlie and Olive came along! So many pets end up in shelters that way. An older, rescue dog from a shelter is a lot, LOT better idea than a new puppy, but you're still risking that the dog won't be totally at ease and relaxed with you to the point that it might not respond well to a baby. What would you do if the dog snapped at your baby? That happens to a lot of people! Dogs don't know how to handle babies sometimes. But I'd say an older dog is definitely a better idea than a puppy, if you're willing to make an iron-clad commitment not to give it up if there are problems between the dog and the baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273969 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 19:04:48 +0000 PrincessBaby 273969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We didn't get a puppy while TTC, but our little chihuahua definitely comforted and distracted me during the painful road we had ttc. I don't know what I would have done without him! And maybe we were really lucky, but he was so easy to train! Maybe because he was little - don't know if that made a difference...But he didn't really tear anything up because his little teeth couldn't really do much damage. And he was super easy to potty train too... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273952 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 18:48:15 +0000 Mrs Green Grass 273952@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We did after a little over a year of trying. It was definitely a welcome distraction. Our puppy will be 14 months when our baby is born so it should all work out pretty well. My acupuncturist says everyone whose gotten a puppy gets pregnant in the next few months (obviously not a reason, but still). She is a LOT of work, but I would absolutely have done it the same way again. She kept me sane in many ways.</p> <p>I also agree that an older dog would be easier than a puppy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273789 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:59:43 +0000 erwoo 273789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I brought my dog into this relationship so my husband didn't have a choice! ;) But if I didn't have a dog and we wanted to get one together I would not get a puppy. The first two months of getting my dog I didn't sleep for two months! She kept me up like a newborn b/c she didn't know how to self soothe! It was terrible. Luckily I was in my early 20s and the lack of sleep didn't affect me as it does now. She also required a lot of energy for the first 5 years of her life. It was nice after she finally calmed down and just lounged around with me. </p> <p>I would adopt a dog that is close to 2 years old and find one that's not high energy like a terrier. I would also find one that is child friendly. I lucked out that our Maltese isn't aggressive at all. She's warned bite (lightly placed her mouth) my 3 y.o. in the past but never broke skin. She's just saying..."stop it." </p> <p>Having a dog is awesome but it is a lot of work when they are younger. My dog is 11.5 years old now and is just wonderful. She has accidents when I forget to let her do her business. Having kids will do that to one's memory! Just yesterday she peed by her bowl b/c she REALLY had to go. I didn't get mad b/c I know it was my fault for forgetting. She's pad trained indoors so it was as simple as opening the laundry door for her. I felt so bad.</p> <p>So just be prepared for a little bit of work in the beginning and I highly recommend doggy obedience/training school. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273787 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:56:15 +0000 cokiezombie 273787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We adopted our puppy 5 years ago and the little guy is truly the best thing that has ever happened to DH and I. It was because of the dog that we realized we could take the relationship a step further to get married, buy a house and now we're expecting in March. He's every bit a part of the family and we're really excited to add to the family! So I vote 'yes'! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273781 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:53:17 +0000 LuLu Mom 273781@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got a dog 2 years ago on Christmas &amp; I can't imagine trying to train her while being pregnant (or even TTC.) Puppies need a lot of attention in the beginning and I don't think it would be fair to them to have one "parent" distracted. </p> <p>On that note, we did discuss getting a second dog as a companion for our dog who seemed sad by all the soon to be changes (seriously she is an emotional little lady) but decided that it was too much of a responsibility with a baby on the way and we didn't need somethign else making accidents! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273778 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:51:46 +0000 meredithNYC 273778@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just chiming in her to agree that getting an older dog might be a good compromise. My dog was about a year and a half old when I got pregnant and honestly, I really valued her companionship while I was feeling terrible during the first trimester and all I wanted to do was lie on the couch. Then later, when I felt better, we would go on long walks and really bond. It was good for both of us and I think she saved me from being depressed (I was out of work at the time and feeling a little down in the dumps).</p> <p>I think if you get one, just be sure that training isn't something you put off. Now with the baby here, things are a little difficult for me with the dog. That said, I do live in the city and have to take the dog out for walks with the baby several times a day. If you have a yard, things will be much easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273765 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:43:36 +0000 Foodnerd81 273765@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I agree with everyone that an older dog is a wonderful compromise. Even at a year old, they have so much less energy than the crazy puppy stage. I don't think I would, personally, but if it was taking a long time (well, and I didn't already have an almost 10 year old dog) I would consider it with an older dog. But I completely agree that it's a lot harder to give them the attention they need when there is a little baby who needs that attention more. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273715 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 15:12:53 +0000 blackbird 273715@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Would you be open to adopting an older dog? that could be a better solution. </p> <p>We both wanted a puppy but I didn't want a puppy+baby. They are such rambunctious little things and I knew we wouldn't be able to care for both properly, so the dog would get slighted. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273663 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:40:31 +0000 AprilK 273663@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't get a puppy but adopting a dog that is 2-3 and slightly more trained wouldn't be a bad idea. Our dog definitely gets less attention now that my son is around, but that's not necessarily a bad thing... she was overly spoiled before!</p> <p>I totally get the concept of trying to work towards things you can control to help you deal with the things you can't control. I totally did that when we were trying!</p> <p>I have a friend who is like 3 months pregnant and has a brand new little puppy and just the other day was like "What was I thinking?!" haha... but obvs a dog that was a bit older and from a shelter may be a bit easier... I would just make sure the temperment to be around kids is good. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273635 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:30:15 +0000 ladyfingers 273635@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't. I really wanted to get a second dog for the longest time but as soon as I found out I was pregnant I abandoned that idea. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273631 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:28:54 +0000 chopsuey 273631@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't. People do it all the time, but I wouldn't be able to handle a baby + dog. I'd go crazy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273617 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:26:32 +0000 mrsjyw 273617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I wouldn't, but one of my good pregnant friends just got a puppy and she is about 15 weeks along! :) I think it might be a lot to handle some days, but plenty of time to train the dog before LO is here :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273614 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:25:07 +0000 JessicaMcB 273614@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We inherited our golden retriever as a new puppy in November because my husband had always wanted his own dog. We got married in December, and got pregnant with Emma in late January. Thankfully Honey is smart so training her hasn't been a huge issue but she's stressful at times because she's still so much a baby herself and our human baby is going to be here in less than 40 days. We really worry about her adjusting to Emma.</p> <p>We love our Honey girl, but if we had our time back we probably would've waited until Emma was four or five to get a dog. Too bad my husband can't seem to delay gratification long enough to think about things, lol. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273590 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:15:57 +0000 autumnlove 273590@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would not. I have a baby and a small dog that is a handful. I love him to bits but sometimes I want to pull my hair out! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273588 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 14:14:43 +0000 JennyD 273588@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Have you ever had a dog before? Has your husband? It can certainly be done, and if that's what you want, go for it. There are a lot of pros and cons, many mentioned above. I think most dogs can be good with kids and babies. We've got a German Shepherd and a Yorkshire Terrier. Our Shepherd has recently become an "outside" dog. Besides all the fur (SO much fur!), she's kind of squirrely. It's not that she would intentionally hurt the baby, she just gets excited and I worry that she'll accidentally step on the baby. Or that she'll knock the stroller over. We have a small house but a big yard, so she's been outside for months now. She's not a bad dog, at all! I spent tons of time training her, it's just her personality. The Yorkie has surprised us. In the past she has hated small children and I didn't trust her around the baby, but she's been super gentle and just curious about the LO, so they're kind of friends now...</p> <p>The expense is there, for sure, as previously mentioned. We had our dogs for years before the baby (they're turning 7 and 6 this year), and we both grew up with dogs. So we sort of knew what we were getting into. Since the baby was born, however, we've been overwhelmed with everything. </p> <p>I understand wanting something in your life, particularly if you've been TTC for more than a year. So, if it's really what you want, and your husband is on board, do your research and go for it. </p> <p>Also, do you have friends/family you could borrow a dog from for a few weeks/months to see how you like it? See if you're really up for it? Some people that didn't grow up with dogs have difficulty adjusting to the fur/drool/poop and potential damage. </p> <p>I agree with Mrs. Wagon, it is good training in a lot of ways for a baby. But I don't think that I agree that 2 is a good idea. Either of our dogs would be just fine on her own. My Shepherd really could care less about the Yorkie (the Yorkie came second). And the Yorkie is really a lot more like a cat . . . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273549 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:54:08 +0000 Mrs. Stroller 273549@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@sweetooth: If you do decide to adopt, our golden doodle is AMAZING with babies and kids. Plus, he doesn't shed, which is great for the housework issue. My parents have a lab and we were constantly cleaning this summer when baby S was learning to crawl. </p> <p>This breeder has a re-home program, our dog is one of hers. Her dogs have really nice temperaments: <a href="http://teddybeargoldendoodles.com/" rel="nofollow">http://teddybeargoldendoodles.com/</a> </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273540 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:46:49 +0000 cyndistar3 273540@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I got a couple month old puppy the day before I got my positive and regretted it within a month, she refused to potty train or walk on a leash and she was always running away. I was sicker than all get out and had no energy to give her the love she needed so we gave her to some people we knew would love and care for her. Then we got a one year old that was already potty trained and all that and it has worked out amazingly! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/would-any-of-you-buy-a-puppy-while-ttc#post-273536 Tue, 28 Aug 2012 13:45:23 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 273536@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I totally would! You still have AT LEAST 10 months before a LO comes, which is plenty of time to potty train and bond with your pup. I know that once our LO came, my dog started getting to go on MORE walks because I was taking the baby out in the stroller every day. But everyone is different....I am a roll with the punches kinda girl. I am not super huge on planning ahead, I just kind of take care of everything as it comes. For me, having a young dog and a baby has been fun. :) (We got our dog three months before I got pregnant). </p>