Training a young pup

[livertw]

Daisy will be 7 weeks old Thursday 11/16. She is an 8-pound furball built like a tank with needle teeth. Some of you who have read previous posts from me know that I got her at birth when her mother died. She has been hand raised. I am concerned about socialization with other dogs. She does great with people (except for the teeth) since she comes to work every day with me.

I took her next door on Saturday to say hello to a middle-aged beagle, and Daisy bit her. The older dog didn't object, just moved away. On Friday of last week, the woman who has Daisy's sister brought her pup, and the two tumbled and stalked and nipped and squealed and romped until they fell asleep. Since Daisy was not raised in a litter, I am concerned that she will be "odd" around other dogs. The sister pup has another older dog at home.

The only puppy kindergarten that I know of here in Charlotte NC is at PetsMart. Are they any good? At what age should I think about group training? Or any kind of serious training? We are working on "Go potty" with a 98% success rate, and "Come/sit" very successfully with a treat. Or should I just bite the bullet and hire a trainer recommended by my vet who mentioned that "he doesn't come cheap". I like the idea of the trainer coming to the house to work with my husband and me so Daisy can't play off the "easy" parent against the "strict" parent. Does anyone know of Rottie Clubs in the Charlotte area? I always have so many questions. I want to be the best Rottie mom that I can be. Daisy has stolen our hearts in the short time we have had her.
Daisy's Mom

[AngelBunny]

livertw:

I'm not generally a big fan of puppy kindergarten but Daisy is not your usual puppy. Such a place may be just the thing to teach Daisy how to get along w/ other dogs.

You're doing a good job training her, from what you say. Formal classes would be too much right now--she's a little too young.