How-To Guides and Resources | Best Friends Animal Society - Save Them All

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How to Teach a Dog to 'Back Up'

Learn step-by-step instructions and tips for how to teach a dog to back up. Walking backward doesn't come naturally to dogs, but it can be taught.

Dog being taught how to back up

How to Humanely Trap Animals for Rescue or TNVR

Learn tips for how to humanely trap animals both for rescue and cats for TNVR (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return).

Black-and-white feral cat hiding under bushes, who will be humanely trapped for TNVR and then returned to his outdoor cat colony

How to Organize a Pet Food Drive

Learn how to organize a pet food drive in your community to gather food for dogs, cats, and other pets to help families in need keep the pets they love.

Organize a pet food drive to help animals in need, like this pitbull mix who is up for adoption.

How to Pass a No-Kill Resolution

Here are guidelines for passing a government no-kill resolution that no healthy or treatable dogs or cat will be killed in your community.

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Three-Legged Dog and Three-Legged Cat FAQs

Three-legged dogs and three-legged cats can live long, happy, healthy lives with minimal adjustment to compensate for their missing limb.

Woman with her white three-legged cat sitting on a couch

How to Teach a Dog to 'Leave It'

The 'leave it' command can prevent a dog from being hurt or even save their life. Here's how to teach a dog to 'leave it.'

Black-and-white dog learning the leave it command

How to Teach a Dog to Speak and Be Quiet

To teach a dog to speak, it is usually best to teach the dog the 'quiet' cue first. Here's how.

Woman teaching a dog to speak (bark)

How to Stop Dogs From Jumping on People

Is your dog jumping up on people? Learn tips for training a dog to stop jumping and properly greet people by using positive rewards.

dog jumping up on a person

How to Introduce a Dog to a Cat

Learn different methods for how to introduce a dog to a cat, including how to introduce puppies and kittens.

properly introduced dog and cat leaning on each other and getting along well

How to Help Dogs Tolerate Grooming and Vet Handling

Teaching a dog to be handled and touched makes trips to the vet and groomer a lot easier. Here are step-b- step instructions for helping a dog tolerate grooming and vet h...

Dog being handled by a vet tech while being examined by a veterinarian

How to Start an Animal Sanctuary

Learn the basics of how to start an animal sanctuary or rescue, including considerations like providing shelter, vet care, and food; legal issues; fundraising; adoptions;...

Parrot educating a group of students at Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah

Dog Training Tips: How to 'Proof' Behaviors

Proofing in dog training means having a dog successfully demonstrate a skill or behavior in various situations and environments. Learn dog training tips for proofing.

dog receiving a treat from a person's hand as they practicing dog training proofing

Enrichment for Dogs in Shelters

This action kit provides ways to provide enrichment for shelter dogs, improving their day-to-day lives in the shelter and increasing their adoptability.

This pitbull dog is enjoying agility training, an enrichment activity offered in some specialized programs at animal shelters.

Puppy Socialization: How to Socialize a Puppy to People, Dogs

Learn how to socialize a puppy with people and other dogs — and how to protect puppies from diseases.

Multiple people petting a brown-and-white puppy as part of the puppy socialization plan

How to Teach a Dog 'Go to Your Place'

Teaching a dog to go to a specific place and wait is helpful in situations like when the doorbell rings. This guide outlines how to teach this dog training cue.

Dog who has been taught to go to his place waiting patiently in that spot

How to Manage Dog Leash Reactivity

Learn how to manage dog leash reactivity with step-by-step dog training instructions.

two dogs receiving treats during training for dog leash reactivity