Training and Enrichment Stories

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, love, and live like champions.
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 train a pig who can’t hear.
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 overwhelmed. Now, he’s living the life of the star he’s named after.
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 tricks.
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’t be released.
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 other dogs find their confidence through the power of play.
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. But that didn’t mean the therapy sessions he loved so much had to stop.
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, snuggling with her adopters and shining like the gem she’s named after.
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 everything. Now, she’s teaching puppies how to be confident dogs.
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 the fun-loving, confident pup he was always meant to be.
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 stretching his legs and soaking up some one-on-one attention.
Finding friends everywhere he goes
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Emily snuggling with Hale the cat, face-to-face, with her arm around him

‘Hands-off’ cat learns to show his sweet side

Hale expressed himself with his teeth and claws when he came to the Sanctuary, but patience and a gentle approach opened him up to the world of cuddles.
He's now blossomed
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Jalapeño the dog, smiling, while sitting on sand in front of some trees

Helping a shy dog spice up his social life

Found as a stray pup, Jalapeño was shy and shut down around people, but his foster family is helping him find a bold new flavor.
How he's warming up
Best Friends Magazine