Training and Enrichment Stories

Blanche the dog standing outside

Extra-bubbly dog goes from chaos to calm

How the behavior team at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary helped Blanche turn her ove...
She now serves as “demo dog” for the behavior team
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Multiple black dogs on a red rock outcropping

Desert dogs find new hope

Dogs found in a remote Utah area are now safe and settling into foster homes in Sa...
Enjoying new beginnings
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Taquito the dog playing with a young puppy while a person watches

Faces of No-Kill: Meet Taquito, the puppy coach

Taquito the dog is teaching puppies at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary how to play, ...
Everyone loves him
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Karen the pig outside being trained by two people with her belt and a target stick

Meet the deaf pet pig who wears a ‘magic belt’

See how caregivers at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary found a creative solution to t...
Now she sunbathes safely
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Leo Decatmeow the cat in a person's lap and looking very happy

Faces of No-Kill: Cat goes from scared to superstar

When Leo Decatmeow came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, he was scared and a bit ...
Daily outings in the stroller helped him adjust
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Priscilla training Lucky the mule to smile

Tricks, treats, and love help mule find her smile

Caregivers at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary prove you can teach an old mule new tr...
Lucky learns a new trick
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The two cavies, Hip and Hup, with one of them eating some fresh green grass

Spicing up life for wild ambassadors at Best Friends

See how caregivers at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary bring joy to wildlife who can’...
Ways to enrich their lives
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Bonito the dog smiling wide in a playgroup with another dog

Faces of No-Kill: Nervous dog becomes ambassador of fun

Bonito came to Best Friends Animal Sanctuary as an anxious pup. Now he’s helping o...
Now he's an ambassador of fun
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Swing the dog lying and the floor wearing sunglasses getting his pretend laser treatment

Dog’s no-laser therapy is almost as good as the real thing

When Swing was diagnosed with cancer, he had to stop laser therapy for arthritis. ...
He still enjoys all the attention and love
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Peridot the cat lying in the top shelf of a cat tree

Faces of No-Kill: Cat goes from grumpy to cuddly

Peridot used to swat away affection with hisses and growls. Now she’s home, snuggl...
Read about her transformation
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Emma Odekirk sitting on the ground with Valley the dog and a small brown puppy

Time, training, and love transform nervous dog

When Valley arrived at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, she was anxious about most e...
She's transformed
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Slim the dog running with a rope toy in his mouth

Flyball helps dog go from shy to super-fly

At Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, this once-shy dog learned new skills to become t...
Harnessing the power of play
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Magnus the dog in a person's lap

Magnanimous dog blossoms in foster care

Magnus’ foster caregivers showed this senior dog just how wonderful life can be....
Now his spirit shines
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Winter and Abbott the dogs inside with a bucket and raised bed in the background

Best friends at Best Friends: A real dynamic doggy duo

Meet Abbott and Winter, a couple of sweet senior dogs with a surprising past....
Now they're best buds
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Silver Sword the dog outside

Dog from overcrowded home shines as an individual

After a puppyhood spent in a home with over 50 other dogs, Silver Sword is finally...
Finding friends everywhere he goes
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