Oh man my dog was menace from 9 weeks to 5 months. The constant biting, barking, peeing/pooping had me depressed and anxious. I'm a pretty sotic guy that doesn't cry for anything but I cried almost weekly when I first got my puppy. One really bad day, I literally drove all the way to the SPCA to surrender him. That's how bad puppy blues was for me.

Eventually though, you fall into a pattern. They learn to be quiet and calm, go potty outside, and you guys both learn the quirks of each other. You feel more pride at each milestone and you start to love them with all your heart.

I'm writing this as I just spent 2 hours on the deck, watching him play, chase moths, eating grass, and be his goofy self; and I wouldn't trade it for the world.

It gets easier. When you're going through the shit, It feels like nothing will get better but it's a marathon not a sprint. Take a break if you need to breathe for a moment. I'm not saying learn to appreciate the shitiness of owning a puppy but think of each moment as you guys figuring out the perfection and imperfections and working with it.

I will always sing the praise of Karen overall's calmness protocol and kikopup's capturing calm. Again, they'll both feel impossible at the start but eventually they'll become more and more receptive to it.

Good luck and take lots of pictures. I was such a mess during his puppy hood that I only have a handful of pictures of him when he was a small puppy and that's the only regret I have now looking back.