WGN - Steve Dale's Pet World

Co-editor of Low Stress Handling: A Practical Guide to Cooperative Care, Training, and Behavior Modification, veterinary behaviorist Dr. Christine Calder explains what cooperative care is about. For example, how you may train your dog or cat to comply contentedly with having nails trimmed. And what's the most important cue you can teach a cat or dog? […]

Illinois Director of the Humane Society for Animals Marc Ayers joins Steve Dale to explain how the seemingly harmless and fun puppy yoga classes may be sourcing puppies from puppy mills. In Chicago, this is illegal, and the City has taken action.

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Beth Strickler makes an exciting announcement which will save lives of dogs, cats and rabbits. There's a new and improved pheromone product available which will reduce anxiety, the Secure line of products by Signs. After all, behavior is the number one cause of death for pets and the most common behavior issues […]

Hard to believe that a dog training organization that seeks to set licensing standards for dog trainers is willing to accept the use of shock collars. Dog trainer Zak George explains why that is unacceptable. He notes that while the use of shock can stop of a problematic behavior in its tracks, it will also cause […]

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Co-founder of Center for Behavior Studies explains what this non-profit to support pet studies and keeping pets in homes is all about. Dr. Dodman reveals the most common behavior problem in dogs. Why do dogs sometimes have compulsive behaviors, such tail or light chasing, and what can be done to help these […]

Dog trainer Jeff Millman on a new way to think about dog bite prevention, which is actually Steve's idea. Millman is the author of Triggers and Reactions: A Guide to Fixing Dog Behavior Problems: Volume One: On-Leash Aggression  Anti Cruelty President Darlene Duggan talks about the city's oldest and most significant animal shelter's biggest fundraiser, Bark in the […]

Once the executive director of Chicago Animal Care & Control, Susan Russell is now in Philadelphia and after a stint at an animal shelter there, she has authored Midnight: Don't Judge Me Ruiz. She discusses the book and the still existing long list of pit bull related fallacies and Philly cheese-steak sandwiches. Good news about heart […]

You may recall Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald from Animal Planet's Emergency Vets and E-Vet Interns or perhaps you've even seen him perform his stand-up act at a comedy club. He talks about what he's learned about veterinary medicine from the best and about what he's learned about show biz from the likes of the Rolling Stones to George Burns. He talks about […]

Straight up, asking questions listeners would want to ask of Armando Tajeda, Executive Administrative Assistant and Public Information Officer Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC). He conceded the agency doesn't have a long history (and that's true in many other cities as well) of absolute transparency, that's now changed. And offer Armando an opportunity to […]

Unlucky in love but lucky with dogs, Susan Hartzler talks openly about her life in “I'm Not Single, I Have A Dog: Dating Tales from the Bark Side.” She explains that she's fine and content today and accepting that she may from now on only have partners with four legs. And why in many ways, that is […]

Legendary Dr. Sheldon Rubin has been a guest on WGN radio dating back to Wally Phillips, when he was among the first veterinarians to talk regularly about pets in the media. Dr. Rubin is passionate about informing people of the dangers of heartworm disease which is nearly always preventable. He also recalls odd animals he's dealt […]

With over 300 million views on his Simon the Cat's YouTube page, and several books published, Simon Tofield explains the origin of Simon and why he think his animated cat became an international sensation. With countless interviews under his belt this is the first time he explains why he feels he is so innately in […]

Pretty much everything we know about cats was once funded by the non-profit – EveryCat Health Foundation. Jackie Ott Jaakola, Executive Director, explains further and how recently treatments have been found for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (the most common heart disease in cats). In fact, anyone can attend virtually or in […]

Oh rats! It's a real dog sport, and now available in Evanston from City Sniffers. Megan Renner is a Certified Canine Sports Training Professional and Certified Canine Training & Behavior Specialist. Currently she is a judge for Happy Ratters and Rat Games. What the heck is that all about? Who will win the Windy City Sweets cookie […]

Funny lady JoAnne Worley from TV's Laugh In and countless TV shows and stage work also happens to be President of Actors and Others for Animals. She talks about the mission and work of the non-profit, including a continued focus on spay/neuter and supporting the wildfire's animal victims. The big question? Will she gift Steve Dale and WGN […]

WGN Radio's pet expert and host of Steve Dale's Pet World and Steve Dale's Other World joins Wendy Snyder, in for John Landecker, to discuss what you can do if your dog will not stop eating its own waste.

Dr. Sally Haddock, Board President of the North American Veterinary Community discusses the massive continuing education available to veterinarians and how this all trickles down to pet parents. Discussed is how intense the human animal bond is today, compared to how it was years ago. Though affording veterinary medicine is more challenging than ever, which is also […]

He admits he has a problem. Dr. Matthew McGlasson says, “I'm obsessed with cats.” As a result he's authored How to Rate a Cat. Discussed are serious misconceptions many have about cats, topics such as declaw and why he's opposed, and more.  A secret way to communicate with your cat – blink. https://serve.castfire.com/audio/7285891/7285891_2025-02-18-020031.64kmono.mp3

They are the underdogs of veterinary medicine, and at the same time the backbone of the profession – they are veterinary technicians. A conversation with Beckie Mossor, president of the National Association of Veterinary Technicians in America. Also, she a founder of the non-profit Veterinary Industry Giving Tree. Drew Lynch is arguably one of the hottest stand-up comedians […]

Petco Love President Susanne Kogut talks how the non-profit significantly supported pets and families around Los Angeles, and how Petco Love Lost reunites lost pets with their people. Steve and Susanne also discuss why so many animal shelters today remain filled to the max, and what's being done to relieve the pressure. And why do dogs […]

You've never been to a cat show? Lincoln State Cat Show Manager Jeremy Basterash describes the fun you'll miss by not attending, and how cats are judged. The Lincoln State Show is February 22-23, Kane County Fairgrounds 525 S, Randall Rd. St Charles. Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) is likely the number one cause of death in […]

Steve feels honored to interview Veterinary Behaviorist Dr. Christine Calder, co-editor (with Pat Koven) of Dr. Sophia Yin's Low Stress Handling and Behavior Modification of Dogs and Cats (second edition). Dr. Yin was a friend, and frequent guest, not to mention training pioneer. Steve talks about cooperative care, having pets participate by their own consent to veterinary […]

Nancy Kubillus, Waukegan, IL-based author of My Broken Dog:  Living with a Handicapped Pet, tells her emotional story of how she cared for an English Springer Spaniel named Kaylee.  Tod Miner of Arfit Canine Rehab Fitness in Chicago talks about how handicapped dogs and cats are today often brought back to their potential with various rehab modalities, and […]

Dr. Dana Varble, chief veterinary officer North American Veterinary Community, talks about the giant VMX veterinary conference and takes pet parents behind the curtain. What's new for pets in 2025? Mostly, the latest and greatest will fall into two buckets, individualized medicine and AI, and we go deep talking about each.

Laura Monaco Torelli is the owner and founder of Animal Behavior Training Concepts and she is an internationally celebrated dog trainer, and based in Chicago where an awful event occurred. If the two dogs were leashed the attack would never have occurred. Her new passion is to advocate for adhering to leash laws. She also talks about […]

Dr. Adam Christman, chief medical officer DVM360, whips out his crystal ball offering his predictions for what you will all experience regarding pet care for 2025. At the start of this list is artificial intelligence, it's here from helping diagnostics to smart collars to training tools to new ways to discover pain recognition.  How veterinarians […]

So, what do behavior consultants do and how do they differ from “ordinary” dog trainers? Dot Bailey is the Executive Director of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants, and she explains. What's more, there are certified cat, bird and equine behavior consultants. David Kerpel is proving that dreams can come true. He is the founder […]

Baby, it's getting cold and getting colder out. Dr. Katherine Leahy of Heal Veterinary Clinic on keeping pets safe in frigid temperatures. What about booties? And at which temperature do which dogs need a coat or a sweater? Also, warnings about even lapping up a taste of antifreeze. Erika Wyatt, co-owner International Kennel Club of Chicago on […]

Jon Provost who was Timmy in Lassie sincerely – even all these years later (he's now 74-years old) – has a love for dogs  as much as he did when he played Timmy. Steve reminisces and Jon tells all sorts of stories. And did he ever really fall into a well? What was the craziest peril […]

A howliday tradition for Steve Dale's Pet World! Steve speaks to the President elect of the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) about what's to come in 2025. Dr. Michael Bailey pulls out the AVMA crystal ball to offer his predictions for the New Year.  Also, tips from Dr. Bailey on keeping pets safe over the howliday […]

Raising a puppy can be great fun but to be honest it's not for everyone says dog trainer Drayton Michaels, author of The Puppy Parents Handbook: Raising A Well Trained Puppy in the 21st Century. Michaels offers a refresher course in housetraining 101. He has also long been involved in fighting breed bans (typically targeted to dogs referred […]

This is the time of year when organizations such the Pet Poison Helpline (PPH) receive the most calls. Steve talks with veterinary toxicologist Dr. Renee Scmid, director of veterinary medicine and a senior veterinary toxicologist at PPH. Lilies are fragrant for us but very toxic to cats. And chocolate is never a good idea. She […]

Larry Holm is host a podcast called What About Grief. Steve Dale appeared on a segment called “Our Pets: Grieving the Loss of a Beloved Pet,” and that is the topic of this conversation. Indeed, Holm found that the loss of a pet can be as profound as losing any other family member. Dr. Mark Goldstein has done it […]

Zak George is no doubt the most popular and one of the most outspoken dog trainers in social media, as he tells the truth – based on science – regarding dog training methods. He's totally no fan of the use of shock collars and takes a deep dive in describing why. Included is how to choose […]

David Frei, renowned broadcaster of dog shows, has now broadcast 50 national dog shows, and 23 years of the National Dog Show presented by Purina on Thanksgiving Day on NBC (and now also on Peacock) at noon following Macy's Parade. Frei discusses the so-called ‘doodle dogs.' Also, animal-assisted activities, and how therapy dogs go into hospitals, libraries, […]

Dr. Taylor Rezvani, professor Husson University, Bangor ME, board member of the Human Animal Bond Association (HABA) discusses International Human Animal Bond Day and how around the world the bond for companion animals has intensified in recent years. And the bond goes beyond dogs and cats. HABA is seeking images of pet parents with their pets for […]

Human Animal Bond Association's International Human Animal Bond Day is November 8. Dr. Marc Bekoff, professor emeritus of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado, Boulder, and Fellow of the Animal Behavior Society has authored so many important books about dogs. His most recent is Dogs Demystified: An A to Z Guide to […]

What percent of dogs and cats do you think are overweight or obese? The numbers are staggering. Dr. Ernie Ward, a world expert on this topic and Founder/President of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention explains that we need to think differently and stop “the blame game” regarding overweight/obese pets. There myths about what causes pets to […]

It's a new hot topic in veterinary medicine – a sort of physician's assistance in veterinary medicine, except with this new position will have latitude to do far more but with questionable training. Dr. Gail Golab, Chief Veterinary Officer and Executive Vice President at the American Veterinary Medicine Association, explains that the veterinary professional associate […]

Halloween can be very scary but Dr. Ahna Brutlag, Vice President of veterinary services and senior veterinary toxicologist at the Pet Poison Helpline, is determined to keep your pets safe. She discusses everything from candies sweetened with a dangerous sugar substitute, raisins, Macadamia nuts and chocolates and their potential dangers to pets. Also, she explains how THC […]

10/20 – Victoria Stilwell from It's Me or the Dog in a wide-ranging conversation regarding common tools that some dog trainers use, and should never use – in fact, should be banned. And Victoria articulately explains why. She also describes why reactive dogs are doing what they are doing, and what to do about it. It's Me or […]

Dr. Ernie Ward, is a world-renowned expert and advocate for pet health and nutrition. He's the founder and President of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. He explains just how many pets are overweight or obese. He says we need to stop playing the blame game. Yes, feeding too much and feeding the too many […]