'Does puppyhood get better?': 11-week-old Dachshund causing havoc on new dog pawrents, the internet assures them that he's just a baby and things will get better

It doesn't matter if you're a parent or a pawrent, you never know what you're getting into with your baby, and it's always a learning process.

This couple is already at the brink of a meltdown because of their Dachshund puppy. He's adorable, but he's still a baby. His behavior is typical for a pup of his age, but the couple is ill-equipped for this kind of thing. He's running around the playpen, barking, and clawing at the bars. He's been sleeping in their bed because if he doesn't he'll be yelling in the cage. They're exhausted, but it's only the beginning. Once he's well trained, they'll be okay, and his barks will be more quiet. They go to the internet for advice, but everyone is assuring them that it's normal for a pupper of his age.

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via u/Cautious_Concept_855
"Does puppyhood get better?"
My husband and I picked up our 11 week old puppy on Saturday and we’re feeling so defeated. He’s adorable and we love him but he’s an absolute menace.
I started out with a kennel inside a playpen with toys and a fresh patch since the breeder litter trained them on her farm. He hated the bars of the playpen and screamed when he couldn’t see us so after blocking off all the areas he could squeeze into we took away the pen and now he can free roam which he seems to like more. I can’t get him to sleep in the crate. I’ve tried laying on the floor with him so he knows I’m there but he cries and screams.
He’s been sleeping in our bed because we can’t stay up all night listening to him scream and we are in an apartment so the neighbors can hear. I work from home and had my first day back at work since getting him. He’d played in my office for an hour and then ask for me to pick him up and nap in my arms for 2 then wake up and repeat. He won’t sleep anywhere else but on me which hinders me from working.
We’re absolutely exhausted and feel so bad that we’re just not completely enjoying having him here because we do love him so much and waited so long to get him. I did my research on the breed before choosing a breeder but I feel like I underestimated what I was signing us up for. I guess I just needed a place to vent and see if others have felt the same way and if it gets better. Any advice would be amazing.
-Cautious_Concept_855
Direct-Brother-1184

He’s just a baby. You have to love him and be consistent in the rules and routine. You will get through it!
lawdjesustheresafire

It does get better. The puppy stage with dachshunds is notoriously hard because they are super clingy little ankle biters. I felt like you did early on too where it felt like we had made a mistake but if you can persevere through the first few months by about 4-6 months it should calm down a lot. Remember your puppy is just a baby that’s been taken away from its mum too.
mylenesfarmer

This is a BABY. Americans are absolutely infuriating with this crating system. lmao
It can be hard to understand how a puppy goes from menace to mature, but it takes time. This couple may be stressed now, but in a few weeks they'll be kissing the ground this puppy walks on.