You Only Get One Chance to Raise a Puppy. Make It Count.
I’ve spoken to at least two people in the last week who have taken on a chihuahua from a rescue, both dogs around 2 years old and both with significant behaviour issues. Snapping, biting and aggressive.
This is not an uncommon picture.
The dogs didn’t start out like this; it’s a behaviour cycle they grew into.
Most behaviour problems begin quietly during puppyhood.
None of this happens because people are bad owners. It happens because people were given the wrong advice at the beginning.
Join the live 6-week Chihuahua Puppy Programme
How Behaviour Problems Start
What leads these dogs to become unable to be handled at age 2 and 3? Let me tell you how I feel this happens.
I firmly believe the narrative around socialisation plays a big part.
New owners are keen to avoid the stereotypical snapping, barking chihuahua and follow the old socialisation protocols, unwittingly causing the start of their problems.
The meet and greet everyone and everything before the dog is sixteen weeks old approach often puts chihuahuas into situations they simply don’t have the skills to cope with.
This creates arousal and anxiety spikes, unhelpful frightening memories leading to avoidance behaviours like barking and snapping.
Owners work on suppressing the behaviour in the belief this is training.
Over time, this leads to a drop-off in the dog’s optimism.
The relationship between the owner and dog breaks down.
They either give up the dog or spend their life at home slightly afraid of the dog.
Over the years I’ve heard it countless times:
“We love our chihuahua, but…”
or
“He’s happy on the inside.”
How We Change This Cycle
We change the way we work with puppies and give owners modern training advice tailored to the breed temperament and size.
Advice based in behavioural science, not myth and outdated ideas.
I'm passionate about getting these puppies off to the best possible start so they grow up calm, confident, optimistic dogs.
Because when we get the early months right, everything that follows becomes easier.
Introducing The Chihuahua Puppy Success Path
A 6-Week Online Training Programme
A programme designed specifically for chihuahua puppies to help owners get the right advice and training, so their dogs grow up calm, confident and optimistic.
You may be thinking your puppy is already doing well, and you don’t need training yet.
Many owners feel that way in the early months.
But the habits that lead to barking, reactivity and anxiety usually begin quietly long before they become obvious.
This programme is about putting the right foundations in place before those patterns develop.
If you have a chihuahua puppy aged 0–8 months, this programme is for you.
What You Get
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Six weeks of working with me, a professional force-free trainer who specialises in the breed.
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Weekly teaching Zoom labs that you can attend from anywhere.
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Instructional training videos
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Support with walks, socialisation and helping your puppy feel safe in the wider world.
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Toilet Training e-Book written specifically for Chihuahuas
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Guidance on raising a puppy who can settle, relax and cope with everyday life.
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A supportive Facebook group where you can swap ideas and chat with other puppy owners.
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Practical games that build calmness, confidence and focus.
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Live Q & A sessions
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Help preventing common behaviour problems including barking, reactivity and separation issues.
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Handling exercises for grooming, nail trims and vet care.
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Free "Preparing for Adolescence" download
What We'll Cover Each Week
This programme focuses on the foundations most puppy classes miss. Emotional stability, independence and calm thinking.
You don’t need hours of training each day to make progress. Most of the exercises in this programme take only a few minutes and fit naturally into your normal routine with your puppy.
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Week 1 – Settling in and creating emotional safety
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Week 2 – Understanding arousal and preventing barking cycles
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Week 3 – Calmness games and building focus
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Week 4 – Handling, grooming and consent-based care
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Week 5 – Walks and safe socialisation
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Week 6 – Building independence and future-proofing behaviour + bonus week 7!
Who Is This Programme For?
This programme is ideal if you have a chihuahua puppy under eight months old and want to give them the best possible start.
It’s for owners who want to avoid barking, snapping and reactivity later in life and who are looking for modern force-free training advice.
It is for people who want their puppy to grow into a calm, confident adult dog and who would like guidance from someone who specialises in the breed.
You do not need any previous training experience. Everything is explained clearly and designed for everyday owners.
Your Investment
The Chihuahua Puppy Success Path is just £197 (approximately $265 USD).
For six weeks of dedicated support and training from a Chihuahua expert trainer, giving you and your pup the right foundations.
The live sessions will run at:
🇺🇸 9am CDT
🇺🇸 10am EDT
🇬🇧 3pm BST
This gives both UK and US attendees a chance to join live at a convenient time.
If you want your chi puppy to grow up calm, confident and optimistic, this is the perfect place to start.
Join the live 6-week Chihuahua Puppy Programme
What others say about Chihuahua School
"I love the way Louise breaks down each step into fun and manageable tutorials. My chihuahua was terribly anxious and scared - of everything, but with this training program I can see her confidence growing"
"Tomyris and I have both benefited from Ms. Kirby's guidance. There were no quick fixes, but with time and patience her lessons have changed the world for at least one tiny, abandoned dog and her clueless guardian."
Great training advice that has been built around chihuahuas. Very informative and helpful. Easy-to-follow guides and really do give you insight into what makes your dog react the way they do."
Why Online Training Works Better
One of the big advantages of online training is that the focus is on teaching the owner, not trying to train the dog in a single session.
Good dog training is not really about what happens in a class. It is about giving owners the understanding and skills they need to guide their dog in everyday life.
Your puppy does not need to perform in a busy hall surrounded by lots of unfamiliar dogs and people.
When a puppy is in a room full of noise, movement and other dogs, their brain is often in a high state of alert. In that state, they cannot take in new information and learning becomes very limited.
Online training allows you to work in your puppy’s real environment, where they live and learn.
The goal is not to produce a puppy that can perform cues in a class.
It is to help you raise a dog that can think, cope and feel safe in the real world.
About Your Trainer
Louise Kirby
BA (Hons) PGCE BCCSDip.HthNut
Certified Pro Dog Trainer and Behaviour Coach
Founder of Chihuahua Power and Chihuahua School.
Louise loves and trains all breeds, but chihuahuas hold a special place in her heart. She specialises in helping owners understand their dogs better, reduce barking and reactivity and raise calm, confident companions using modern force-free training methods.
Through her online programme, Chihuahua School, she has helped hundreds of chihuahuas, and their owners work through behaviour struggles and build calmer, more confident dogs that can cope with the world around them.
Imagine your chihuahua six months from now.
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Your dog walks beside you calmly instead of reacting to everything that moves.
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Your dog walks beside you calmly instead of reacting to everything that moves.
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Visitors come into your home, and your dog settles rather than barking and worrying about what is happening.
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Your puppy can relax, switch off and feel comfortable in their environment.
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You understand why your dog behaves the way they do and you know how to guide them through new situations, instead of constantly wondering if you are doing the right thing.
This is what happens when the right foundations are put in place early.
Not through strict obedience or trying to control every behaviour, but by helping your puppy feel safe, calm and able to cope with the world around them.
That is what these six weeks are designed to help you build.
I’m spending the next ten days gathering my team and that’s you.
Once we begin, I will not be taking anyone else into the programme during the six weeks. That way everyone starts together and moves through the training at the same pace.
If you have a chihuahua puppy and want to give them the best possible start, this programme will guide you step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need training when I can watch on YouTube?
You absolutely can learn from YouTube. There are many dog training videos online and some of them are very good (and some are dangerous).
The difficulty is that YouTube is not designed as a structured learning programme. Videos are created individually rather than as part of a step-by-step process, so owners often end up trying lots of different techniques without understanding how they fit together.
This programme is designed differently. Each week builds on the last so you are layering the right foundations in the right order, helping your puppy develop calmness, confidence and good habits from the beginning.
Do I still need to take my puppy to classes?
No. The programme is designed to replace traditional classes. Many puppies, especially chihuahuas, find busy group classes overwhelming. Training at home means your puppy learns in the environment where real life happens. of them are very good (and some are dangerous).
How long will I need to train each day?
Training is done in short sessions that fit into your normal day. Most exercises take just a few minutes and are based around simple games that build calmness, confidence and good habits.
What age should my puppy be?
The programme is designed for young puppies just starting out, but the foundations also work for slightly older puppies. If your puppy is under around six or eight months you will gain huge benefit from the training.
What if I've never trained a dog before?
That is completely fine. The programme is designed for everyday owners, not professional trainers. Everything is explained step by step, so you understand why you are doing something, not just what to do.
What if my puppy is already barking, biting, or struggling?
That is very normal for puppies. Many early behaviour issues come from excitement, tiredness or simply not yet knowing how to settle. The programme focuses on building calmness and good habits early, so small issues do not turn into long term problems.
What if I miss a Zoom session?
Life happens, especially with a new puppy. If you cannot attend live you will still be able to catch up afterwards, so you will not fall behind.
What if I'm in a different time zone?
That is fine. I will try to group Zoom sessions, so they work as well as possible for different time zones. The training itself can also be worked through at your own pace.
Is this only for chihuahuas?
The programme is designed specifically around chihuahua behaviour and needs, but the principles will work for most small breeds.
How do I join?
Simply follow the enrolment link on this page and complete your registration. Once you have joined you will receive everything you need before the programme begins.
Give Your Chihuahua the Best Possible Start
If you have a chihuahua puppy and want to give them the best possible start, this programme will guide you step by step.
I can’t wait to meet you and your puppy and start working together.
Louise