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Unleash the Pawsome: A Complete Guide to Getting Puppies in The Sims 4

So, you’re ready to expand your Sim family with some adorable, tail-wagging bundles of joy? Getting puppies in The Sims 4 is a delightful experience, but it requires a bit of planning and understanding of the game mechanics. Here’s the scoop:

To get puppies, you’ll need The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs expansion pack. Once you have it, you’ll need at least one adult female dog in your active household. You can then have a human Sim “Encourage to Mate With…” another dog (either owned by you or a neighbor) of the opposite gender. The dogs will then, hopefully, engage in some romantic rendezvous and, if all goes well, the female will become pregnant. Just wait a couple of Sim days and your furry friend will be ready to give birth!

The Nitty-Gritty: Breeding Mechanics in Sims 4

The Sims 4 offers a simplified, yet engaging, approach to pet breeding. Here’s a more in-depth breakdown of the process:

1. Meeting the Requirements: A Dog-Gone Good Start

Expansion Pack is a Must: Ensure you have The Sims 4: Cats & Dogs expansion pack installed. Without it, breeding pets isn’t possible.
Female First: You need an adult female dog in your active household to carry the pregnancy.
Availability of Male Dog: You can use a male dog from your household or invite a dog to the household, and then encourage mating.

2. Initiating the Mating Process: Love is in the Air (and On the Lawn)

“Encourage to Mate With…”: This interaction is key. Have your Sim interact with your female dog and select the “Encourage to Mate With…” option. A list of available dogs will appear.
Target Selection: Choose the male dog you want your female to breed with. Keep in mind factors such as breed and desired traits!
Location, Location, Location: Ideally, perform the mating interaction on your home lot to increase the chances of pregnancy.
Relationship Matters: While not strictly required, a positive relationship between the two dogs can increase the chances of successful mating.

3. The Waiting Game: Pregnancy and Anticipation

Two Sim Days: Pet pregnancies are relatively short, lasting approximately two Sim days.
No Vet Visits Required: Unlike Sim pregnancies, there’s no need to visit the vet for prenatal care.
Signs of Pregnancy: You won’t receive a notification as you would with a Sim pregnancy. Keep an eye on your dog’s behavior.
Gestation Signs: After mating your dog, there may be indications that your dog is pregnant, such as increased appetite or general discomfort. Keep trying for another mating session until the notification of pregnancy appears.

4. The Big Day: Welcoming the Puppies

Home Birth: Your dog will give birth on your home lot.
Litter Size: Expect a litter of one to three puppies. The exact number is randomly determined.
Family Slots: The number of available family slots in your household also impacts the maximum litter size. A full household (8 Sims/Pets) might prevent pregnancy.
Naming and Care: Once the puppies are born, you can name them and begin caring for them. This includes feeding, playing, and training.

5. Post-Puppy Life: Adoption, Selling, and Training

Adoption: If you can’t keep all the puppies, you can put them up for adoption using the computer or phone.
Selling: You can also sell puppies for a certain amount.
Training: Start training your puppies early to teach them tricks and prevent unwanted behaviors.
Spaying/Neutering: To prevent future litters, you can spay or neuter your pets at the veterinary clinic.

Frequently Asked Questions: Your Puppy Primer

Here are some common questions regarding puppies in The Sims 4:

1. Can elderly dogs get pregnant in The Sims 4?

No, only adult female dogs and cats can become pregnant. Similarly, only adult and elder male animals can impregnate females. Age plays a significant role in breeding capabilities.

2. How do I know if my dog is in heat in The Sims 4?

A dog in heat will often display specific behaviors. Look for your dog howling while hearts swirling around it. The pet will likely also be distracted, which may interfere with training.

3. Can I breed different dog breeds in The Sims 4?

Yes, you can breed different dog breeds. This can result in unique and interesting mixed-breed puppies. Experiment with different combinations to see what you get!

4. What if my dog won’t get pregnant in The Sims 4?

There are several reasons why your dog might not be getting pregnant:

Not in Heat: Ensure the female dog is in heat.
Household Limit: Make sure you have fewer than eight Sims/Pets in your household.
Age: Only adult dogs can get pregnant.
Glitches: Sometimes, restarting your game can resolve unexpected issues.

5. Can I control the gender of the puppies?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to directly control the gender of the puppies. It’s a random outcome determined by the game.

6. Can I be a pet breeder in The Sims 4?

While there’s no dedicated “breeder” career, you can certainly focus on breeding and selling puppies as a primary source of income in your Sims’ lives. This can be a fun and rewarding gameplay style.

7. Can I adopt a stray dog in The Sims 4?

Yes! When you find an unowned dog, the word “Stray” in red font will appear on their nameplate. When mousing over the dog, you can adopt a stray dog by interacting with it and selecting the “Adopt” option.

8. Where is the pet adoption in Sims 4?

You can adopt a cat or a dog by interacting with a computer, clicking on the “Household” option, and selecting “Adopt.” This can also be done through the phone by selecting “Home” and choosing the “Call Adoption Agency” option.

9. How do I add pets to Sims 4?

Hit the “+” icon on the screen and choose the pet from cat or dog. Choose the breed, body type, tail, weight, coat color, and accessories.

10. Can I have a miscarriage with a pregnant pet in the Sims 4?

In the Sims 4, when a miscarriage occurs, an urn is added to the inventory. From the urn, you can name the unborn baby and decide or not to integrate to family tree.

11. What happens if I don’t want my dog to get pregnant?

If you don’t want your dog to get pregnant, spay her at the veterinary clinic. This is a permanent solution.

12. Can I use cheats to get puppies in The Sims 4?

While there aren’t specific cheats to force pregnancy, you can use relationship cheats to increase the relationship between dogs, potentially increasing the chances of successful mating. You can also use money cheats to afford the best care for your puppies. The Sims 4 money cheats are: rosebud, kaching, motherlode, Money X, FreeRealEstate On, and FreeRealEstate Off.

13. Where can I find more information about game-based learning?

For further information on game-based learning, visit the GamesLearningSociety.org website. The Games Learning Society is dedicated to advancing the field of learning through games.

14. How many puppies can a SIM dog have?

Cats and dogs are breedable with The Sims: Cats & Dogs expansion. Female cats and dogs may produce litters of between one and three offspring.

15. Can I sell or give away unwanted puppies?

Yes, you can either put puppies up for adoption through the computer or phone, or you can sell them directly. The adoption option will find suitable homes for the puppies, while selling will provide your household with additional funds.

Getting puppies in The Sims 4 is a rewarding experience that adds a new dimension to your gameplay. By following these tips and tricks, you’ll be well on your way to filling your Sim world with adorable, furry companions!

How do you get puppies in Sims 4?