6 weeks is definitely too early to be taken from the litter. You need to realize that in proper situations, the pups remain together idealy until they are 8 weeks. Some breeders let them leave at 7 weeks which in my opinion is because it gets to be too much work for them.

So much happens between the 6th and 8th week as far as learning pack socialization skills that can not be taught any where else. It is just such a critical time during puppy development. Unfortuantely, your pup missed out on it. Don't be too alarmed though because you have the ability to help the little sweetheart recover from what it missed with it's littermates.

Positive dog training in a nut shell is always reward wanted behavior and redirect or ignore unwanted behavior. In your situation the first thing to do is determine if the dog is in pain. Once your vet gives your pup a clean bill of health and the growling continues, then you need to start shaping a more desirable behavior.

Never use harsh or negative verbal commands. Simple No's without being mean will become valuable if you start off right. Exhuberant Yes's when you get the right behavior are music to a dogs ears and what they will try to achieve. The key is being consistent and diligent in your efforts to train the pup.

In other words... if the dog does what you want you have to let him know. Treats, praise, belly rubs and kisses! Unwanted behavior is a NO with no treats, praise, belly rubs or kisses. If the behavior persists, then the dog is put back in it's crate and ignored for a short time. Then you start again rewarding wanted behavior and redirecting or ignoring unwanted behavior.

Please keep in mind that another critical time in your puppies development is going to occur between 11 and 15 weeks. It is called the "fear" period. This is the age when most phobias are formed or excelerated in puppies. This is when noise phobias, seperation anxiety and other problems begin to take shape.

During this time, don't shelter your dog from noises but introduce them in a safe way to the dog. Reward the dogs willingness to successfully investigate different noises. Bang on pots, slam doors, make running the vacumn a game, play music louder than normal and in the great chance you get a thunder storm, ignore it by playing a favorite game with the pup. Never coddle your pup or sooth it when a storm comes or the pup will realize this is not normal and will be afraid. Basically, do whatever you need to do!

For seperation anxiety, don't leave the dog crated for unusually long hours. A pup needs someone to relieve him atleast every two hours. After a successful potty outside, then a period of play. It doesn't have to any longer than 10 or 15 minutes but you can't just let the pup out to potty and then put him back in the crate. How you handle this "fear" period is more critical now than worrying about the pup leaving the litter too soon. You are the pups world now and you need to provide a safe, loving and happy environment. Don't be discouraged. This pup is still new too the world and has every opportunity to be the greatest pup you've ever known! All it takes is LOVE and COMMITTMENT!

Once the pup has all shots, enroll in puppy kindergarten classes followed by POSITIVE obedience classes. I stress positive classes because any class that teaches negative reinforcements will be counter to the outcome you want with your pup. Steer clear if they want you to bring the dog to class on a choke collar instead of a flat buckle with lots of treats in your pocket.

Best of Luck to you and your new little sweetheart!