How do I train a dog that's 9 months old?

It depends on what you are trying to teach her. For starters, the main thing to remember when you are training her is positive reinforcement and consistancy. When she does what you want her to do, give her a small treat with 5 seconds of her responding. This will help her to understand why she is getting the treat. Also, work in short intervals. Since she is a puppy, don’t go over 30 minutes at a time for training sessions. Work with her about 3 times a day. It doesn’t seem like a lot, but she will pick up on it very quickly.

Another major thing is to socialize her. I work at a vet’s office and we see a lot of “one family” chihuahuas. This happens when the dog is only around one family or their owners. This can make chihuahuas terrible dogs and a hard animal to deal with later in life. Make sure you take her for walks daily where she can experience other people and animals. Don’t keep her closed up in the house all the time. And remember, keep a positive attitude when training. The dog can pick up on how you are feeling about the situation.

Good luck! Sam