Better caretakers,
better lives.

From puppy training to senior dog comfort: guides and trusted local trainers.

General Care & Behavior

• AHS Pet Helpline
  Twin Cities, MN
  Free behavior and pet care helpline.
• Before You Go to the Dog Park (AHS)
  National
  What to know before taking your dog to a park.
• Best Friends: Dog Health Resource Center
  National
  Comprehensive dog health and care articles.
• Brain Games for Dogs (AHS)
  National
  Reduce boredom and redirect energy with mental enrichment.
• Dog Grooming Tips (AHS)
  National
  Bathing, brushing, nail trims: at-home grooming basics.

Behavior Issues

• Aggression in Dogs (AHS)
  National
  Understanding and managing canine aggression.
• Destructive Behavior (AHS)
  National
  Why dogs chew/dig and what to do about it.
• Dog Behavior Library (Best Friends)
  National
  Guides on resource guarding, marking, counter surfing, fear, touch sensitivity, and more.
• Excessive Barking (AHS)
  National
  Why dogs bark and how to address it.
• Leash Reactivity (AHS)
  National
  Managing dogs that pull, lunge, or bark on leash.
• Separation Anxiety (AHS)
  National
  Helping dogs cope with being alone.
• Separation Anxiety in Dogs (Best Friends)
  National
  Causes, signs, and step-by-step strategies for mild to moderate cases.
• Thunderstorm & Noise Phobia (AHS)
  National
  Helping dogs scared of loud noises.

Resource Guarding

• Food Guarding (ASPCA)
  National
  Why dogs guard food bowls and a step-by-step plan to help them feel safe at mealtimes.
• Resource Guarding Guides (Best Friends)
  National
  Behavior library covering guarding of food, toys, spaces, and stolen items.
• Food & Resource Guarding (SF SPCA)
  National
  Recognizing guarding body language and reward-based ways to build trust around valued items.
• Aggression in Dogs (AHS)
  National
  When guarding crosses into aggression, and when to bring in a professional.

Puppy Behavior & Development

• Mouthing, Nipping & Biting in Puppies (ASPCA)
  National
  Why puppies nip, teaching bite inhibition, and redirecting those needle-sharp teeth.
• Puppy Teething & Nipping (AKC)
  National
  The teething timeline (3 to 7 months) and how to ease sore gums with safe chews.
• Destructive Chewing (ASPCA)
  National
  Normal vs. problem chewing, puppy-proofing, and teaching what's okay to chew.
• Nipping & Rough Play (Humane Colorado)
  National
  Practical, kid-friendly techniques for managing normal puppy mouthing and play biting.
• Tips for Socializing a Puppy (ASPCA)
  National
  The critical socialization window and how to introduce your puppy to new people, places, and sounds.

Training Resources

• Best Friends Dog Training Center
  National
  Comprehensive training resource library.
• Crate Training (AHS)
  National
  Step-by-step crate training guide.
• Dog Training Library (Best Friends)
  National
  House training, chewing, counter surfing, car anxiety, and public-outing tips.
• Finding a Trainer or Behaviorist (Best Friends)
  National
  How to choose a humane, qualified trainer and what questions to ask.
• Housetraining Survival Guide (AHS)
  National
  Potty training for puppies and adult dogs.
• Loose Leash Training (AHS)
  National
  Stop the pulling: teach a relaxed walk.
• Socializing Your Dog (AHS)
  National
  Critical socialization for puppies and adults.

Local Trainers & Behaviorists

We keep our list of trainers and behavior consultants on the Dog Trainers page, where you can filter by area (Twin Cities, Greater Minnesota, and South Dakota) and see who handles fear, reactivity, and aggression.

Veterinary Resources

• AVMA Pet Care Resource Center
  National
  Trusted veterinary information for owners.

Feline behavior, kitten care, multi-cat homes, and special-needs cats.

General Care & Behavior

• 101 Cat Enrichment Ideas
  Online
  Indoor enrichment, puzzles, and play ideas.
• AHS Pet Helpline
  Twin Cities, MN
  Free cat behavior and care helpline.
• Best Friends: Cat Health Resource Center
  National
  Comprehensive cat care articles and guides.
• Jackson Galaxy’s Behavior Tips
  Online
  From the cat behaviorist behind "My Cat From Hell."

Behavior Issues

• Cat Aggression (AHS)
  National
  Petting-induced and play aggression.
• Cat Not Using the Litter Box (Best Friends)
  National
  Behavioral and medical causes, plus how to solve litter box avoidance.
• Excessive Vocalization (AHS)
  National
  Why your cat meows so much, and what to do.
• Litter Box Setup Guide (Best Friends)
  National
  Box size, litter depth, placement, and number of boxes to get it right.
• Litterbox Problems (AHS)
  National
  Solving inappropriate elimination.
• Nighttime Activity (AHS)
  National
  Managing cats that keep you up at night.
• Preventing Cat Behavior Problems (Best Friends)
  National
  Proactive steps that stop litter box, scratching, and aggression issues before they start.
• Scratching Behavior (AHS)
  National
  Redirect scratching to appropriate surfaces.

Kittens & Special Care

• Bottle Feeding Chart (Ruff Start)
  PDF
  Feeding amounts and schedules by age/weight.
• Cat Adoption Checklist (Best Friends)
  National
  Everything to buy and set up before bringing a new cat home, plus a "safe room" guide.
• Kitten Care Manual (Best Friends)
  National
  Bottle-feeding, weaning, kitten-proofing, litter training, and health monitoring.
• Orphaned Kitten Care Handbook (Ruff Start)
  PDF
  Step-by-step care for orphaned/bottle-fed kittens.
• Socializing Shy or Fearful Cats (Best Friends)
  National
  Patient methods for under-socialized cats.

Multi-Cat Homes

• Adding a Second Cat (AHS)
  National
  Best practices for cat-to-cat introductions.
• Bringing Home a New Cat (AHS)
  National
  Preparation and intro process.
• How to Introduce Dog & Cat (AHS)
  National
  Multi-species household introductions.

Veterinary Resources

• AVMA Pet Care Resource Center
  National
  Trusted veterinary information.
• Declawing: Far Worse Than a Manicure (HSUS)
  National
  Why declawing is harmful and the alternatives.

Rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets, and rats: small pets with specialized care needs. Found an injured wild animal instead? See our wildlife rehabilitation resources.

Considering a Small Pet?

• Animal Care Resources (Humane World for Animals)
  National
  Animal care guides from Humane World for Animals.

Rabbits

• Bunny-Proofing Your Home (Best Friends)
  National
  Keep your home and rabbit safe.
• How to Litter Train a Rabbit (Best Friends)
  National
  Yes, rabbits can be litter-box trained.
• MN Companion Rabbit Society: Rabbit Care
  Minnesota
  Complete rabbit care guide from a MN-based group.
• Rabbit Body Language (Best Friends)
  National
  Understanding bunny behavior and signals.
• Rabbit Diet (Best Friends)
  National
  What to feed your rabbit.
• Rabbit Vets in MN
  Minnesota
  Vets who treat rabbits. Not all do.

Guinea Pigs

• Guinea Pig Feeding (HSUS)
  National
  Diet basics for guinea pigs.
• Guinea Pig Housing (HSUS)
  National
  Cage size and setup requirements.

Ferrets

• Ferret Care Sheet (Petco)
  National
  Setup, diet, and handling.
• Is a Ferret Right for You? (HSUS)
  National
  Ferret ownership overview.

Rats

• Rat Care Sheet (Petco)
  National
  Habitat, diet, and enrichment.

Critter Veterinary Resources

• MN Pocket Pet Rescue Vet List
  Minnesota
  Vets who treat exotic and small pets.
• Nail Trim Clinics
  Minnesota
  Where to get nails trimmed for small pets.