From The International Cat Association, Steve talks with the President Vicki Jo Harrison about the Great American Cat Show, January 2  to 4 at the Tinley Park Convention Center. She talks about the unique personalities of various pedigreed cat breeds and describes what goes on at a cat show. She also notes that Steve will be speaking at this show on January 3, offering updates on feline infectious peritonitis and also the most common heart disease in cats – and it’s all good news from the EveryCat Health Foundation. 

Scott Pfiel, president of  the International Kennel Club of Chicago describes the various activities going on January 2 to 4 at the Great American Dog Show at the Tinley Park Convention Center (with free parking). Discussed are many of the kid friendly events; the various novel products for dogs you likely won’t find elsewhere; the Windy City Grooming show (a show within a show); a puppy show (another show within a show) with some new dog breeds who will be there too. And Steve will be signing copies of his book, Ask the Dogon January 3.

Steve talks about a sad highlight of 2025, the loss Dr. Jane Goodall. 

Dog trainer Jeff Millan is back, and talks about his second book Triggers and Reactions: A Guide to Fixing Dog Behavior Problems: Volume Two: Jumping, Barking and Biting. We don’t cover everything in the book but we do discuss jumping and barking. Also, he explains when clicker training may be helpful, and how to do it. 

Lab Dog: A Beagle and His Human Investigate the Surprising World of Animal Research by Melanie D.G. Kaplan, as her unique book is part memoir, part investigative reportage and part sleuth – and the sleuth is her Beagle Hammy. She reveals the reality of animal research. 

Steve offers 12 tips safety tips for the howlidays. And you’ll hear the Steve Dale howliday tradition, A Pet’s Night Before Christmas, a very dramatic reading. 

Rachel Geller, cat behavior & retention specialist is the author of this easy to read yet complete guide to help to solve various cat behavior problems, All Cats All the Time: More of What I Know About Cats. She says that the top of the list are litter box issue, which are discussed in detail. But also how to prepare for a new baby in the house and the necessity of interactive play – and there is a right way to do this – and providing cats with environmental needs in homes. 

International Human Animal Bond Day

Best cities for dog training

Your congenial program host Steve Dale interviews Steve Dale about his latest book, Ask the Dog. This is a book is mostly for kids. The idea is that we need to always ask dogs before petting them. It is true for dogs we do know and love, and most certainly for dogs we don’t know. And yes, dogs “talk;” they tell us all the time whether they want to interact or not. Tips about how to understand what dogs are telling us.

This notion is all new and totally fascinating. Dr. Leilani Avarez, director of the Tina Santi Flaherty Rehabilitation & Fitness Service and head of our Integrative and Rehabilitative Medicine Department at Schwarzman Animal Medical Center in New York City, explains that going into surgery people with positive attitudes have better outcomes. How can this translate to pets? Many pets entering surgery have endured chronic pain. When this happens to people, depression is likely. What about pets?

Court agrees, shock collars are not safe or harmless.

Cynophobia, a fear of dogs, is more common than it’s ever been. Stefani Cohen, author of Overcoming Your Child’s Fear of Dogs: A Step by Step Guide for Parents explains what this fear is, and why it happens (and it’s not usually from a bad experience). She explains the four ways which a fear of dogs develops in children.  Of course, dog bite prevention is always a good thing, and it’s helpful to understand dog language. And what can you do if your child has cynophobia? 

Steve makes a big announcement about his new children’s book called Ask the Dog. 

Radio and podcast host. TV personality. Columnist. Author. Certified animal behavioral consultant. Animal advocate. Those are just a few titles on Steve Dale’s resume, which makes him a perfect guest for the Career Vision Podcast with Michael Piff.

Steve has so many stories that we will have to do a Part II episode to cover more. But in this episode, Steve talks about where his love for both radio and animals came from, how far back he goes with WGN-TV political analyst Paul Lisnek, how he first got on the radio, the multiple writing jobs he had at Chicago newspapers, how he incorporated his love for pets and animals in his work, advice he got from Lucille Ball (YES, THAT LUCILLE BALL!), his new book (Ask The Dog!), how the Booth 46 Podcast at Petterino’s came to be, his own advice for those wanting to do what he does, and so much more!

Our sponsor, Career Vision and the Ball Foundation help students and professionals discover their strengths and navigate their career opportunities. Learn more at CareerVision.org.

And you can subscribe to the Career Vision Podcast with Michael Piff on Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.

John O’Hurley, National Dog Show Host and actor joined Steve Dale on the show to preview the upcoming “The National Dog Show,” airing on Thanksgiving following the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Dr. Renee Schmid, Director of Veterinary Medicine and Senior Veterinary Toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline debunks some internet myths, including that somehow Tums (the antacid) will treat dogs that have ingested grapes or raisins. She also talks about how to keep pets safe over Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Actor Joey Luthman is traveling across America on a one-wheel to raise money to support the non-profit EveryCat Health Foundation, specifically kidney disease and cancers. He wants what so many of us want, for cats to live longer. He talks about his unique journey.

Scaling increasing interest in fish and reptile pets.

David Frei – known as “Mr. Dog Show” discusses the increasingly popular National Dog Show presented by Purina, on NBC on Thanksgiving Day. 

Frei is also the author of two books about Animal Assisted Therapy and co-founder of the National Dog Show Therapy Dog Symposium, which you can attend at Rowan University or virtually. Frei and Steve (who is the keynote speaker this year) discuss animal assisted therapy and the difference the animals involved make for countless thousands around the globe. 

Are cats social or not?

It’s an exciting celebration with Dr. Patrick Flynn, president of the Human Animal Bond Association – International Human Animal Bond Day on November 8.  Dr. Flynn discusses the bond with our pets, and how it continues to intensify. And the bond isn’t relegated to pets, it’s with the natural world – and arguably today we crave it more than ever.

Dr. Flynn also discusses osteoarthritis pain in dogs and cats, and that while it’s known that cats mask any signs of pain, generally dogs do the same more than most people think.

California became the fifth state to ban declaw.

Steve spoke with Diane Keaton about adopting older dogs and her failed effort to open an animal shelter, also a sweet video of her singing to her dog.