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 (3–7 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

• Behavior Matters Pet Training
  Maple Grove, MN
  Twin Cities metro and surrounding areas.
• Cash & Eddie's Dog Training
  Maple Lake, MN
  Cruelty-free, motivation-based training school. Small-group classes in obedience, puppy, reactivity, scent work, and agility, plus private lessons.
• Giffy Dog
  St. Paul, MN
  Force-free training and behavior consulting.
• Go Anywhere Dog
  Twin Cities
  Positive reinforcement, puppy training, group classes.
• The Golden Academy
  Sioux Falls, SD
  In-home training and behavior modification — private lessons, day train, and board & train for obedience and behavior issues.
• Hippie Dog (Inga From, CDBC)
  Richfield, MN
  IAABC-Certified Dog Behavior Consultant. Specializes in trauma-induced behaviors and rescue dogs.
• Kristy Francis Dog Training
  Champlin, MN (classes in Albertville)
  Academy for Dog Trainers (CTC) graduate. Force-free, fear-free, rewards-based training and behavior modification, including fear and aggression cases.
• Leaps and Hounds Behavior
  Twin Cities + Western WI
  Behavior consulting and training.
• Nerdy K9 Academy
  Sioux Falls, SD
  CPDT-KA certified trainer with a background in animal welfare. Private behavior modification, obedience, and group classes — with a focus on fearful and rescue dogs.
• Paw & Order Twin Cities
  Twin Cities
  Family-dog specialist, certified through CATCH Canine Academy.
• Paws & Effect MN
  Stillwater, MN
  Positive reinforcement training, in-home, fear/aggression specialty.
• Twin Cities Obedience Training Club
  Twin Cities
  Behavior consultations and group classes.
• Veterinary Behavior Specialties of MN
  Serves MN/SD/ND/WI/IA/NE
  The only board-certified veterinary behaviorists in our region — for severe behavior issues, can prescribe medication.
• Wild Acre Kennels
  Le Center, MN
  Hunting and field-dog trainer offering obedience and upland/waterfowl programs. Note: uses e-collar and force-fetch methods — a different approach from the force-free trainers above.

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.

Considering a Small Pet?

• Choosing a Small Pet (HSUS)
  National
  How to pick the right small pet for your lifestyle.

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.
• Rats 101 (Tri-County Humane Society)
  Minnesota
  Why rats make great pets.

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.