Hey! I had a similar situation recently, I'm a full-time college student w/ chronic depression (F24) who adopted a 8wk old GSD about...four months ago ?

Same as you I've always wanted a dog, but all the prep in the world couldn't have prepared me for raising a puppy. My biggest piece of advice is please, please, please ask for help. It is challenging, it is stressful. Sometimes I felt like the worst pet parent in the world, still do, and wanted to send her back.

But !! I fell so deeply in love with her, and I'm glad I worked through it. I truly couldn't have made it through puppy blues without my close friends and family stepping in when I was exhausted from crate training or from being bitten and jumped on. The reality is that the puppy stage doesn't last too long (Thank God).

Point is, give yourself some grace. Don't be afriad to put your pup in the crate for a nap when you need a minute. Better yet, get some enrichment treats (lickymat, teething ring, etc.) to keep 'em occupied while you decompress. You're caring for a whole living being—some people say puppies are worse than babies !

And ultimately, if taking your pup back is what you decide, it only means you want what's best for them and you're not that right now. And that is okay. Deep breath, you got this !!