Mike Shikashio, CDBC, is an expert on aggressive dogs. Why are some dogs aggressive? He dispels myths regarding causes of aggression and ways to help to most effectively treat these dogs. This is as detailed a discussion about this arguably increasingly common issue as you will hear on the radio – though, for more, Shikashio will offer an intensive workshop at For Your K9, June 22-23, 706 Industrial Drive, Elmhurst, IL.

Phil Arkow is a co-founder of the National Link Coalition, the non-profit national resource center on the link between animal abuse and human violence. Animal abuse is a sentinel indicator that something is clearly wrong, so if animals are abused likely there’s additional violence in the home.  Arkow explains why people are reluctant to leave domestic violence situations if they have nowhere to shelter with pets.

Legendary WGN Radio broadcaster Max Armstrong talks about his most recent book, More Stories from the Heartland as Told by One of America’s Favorite Farm Broadcasters. He calls this his “book of Thanksgiving,” and it includes many stories about his pets, including Toby a larger-than-life Jack Russell Terrier. And say he swears this dog used obscenities if he missed the ball.

Conversations with Darlene Duggan, interim president at Anti Cruelty, and Susan Cappello, Acting Executive Director of Chicago Animal Care & Control (CACC), about an honest appraisal of the animal shelter scene in Chicago, and why so many animals are being relinquished. At CACC, there’s an intense effort just to explain what they really do and that so many adoptable animals are available. Also, the 30th Annual Bark in the Park is June 8 at Soldier Field on the Green. Steve has helped to emcee Bark for over 20 years.

Cicada pet safety.

Veterinary dermatologist Dr. Brittany Lancellotti earned the EveryCat Health Foundation 2024 Steve Dale Communications Award for the Your Vet Wants You to Know podcast. Discussed are all sorts of allergies which dogs and cats suffer – including environmental allergies to food allergies, and what to about them. And even some odd allergies, such as cats allergic to people.

Robyn Michaels, a member of the Greater Chicago Whippet Club and a dog groomer in Rogers Park who speaks the truth – or at least her truth – regarding hobby dog breeders and the American Kennel Club (AKC). Why in the heck does the AKC seem more intent on protecting the breeders of “doodle dogs” or “designer dogs” compared to pure bred dogs? Why are hobby breeders diminishing? She offers tips on where to get and not to get dogs from.. Most dogs landing in shelters are not from responsible breeders, then where are they from?

Katie Campbell is the Director of Collaboration and Outreach to President and CEO at Red Rover and offers an update on what Purina and the Purple Leash Project are doing to support sheltering for pets in instances of domestic violence. 

Coyotes on the prowl.

Linda Michaels, Author of The Do No Harm Dog Training and Behavior Handbook, featuring the Hierarchy of Dog Needs, explains what those needs are.  She discusses how dog training methods DO matter, and what dog trainers to run the other way from. Discussed is that people want to socialize puppies, but what some well-meaning individuals aren’t doing right which may do harm. Also, what teaching dogs incompatible behaviors means.

Steve’s take on National Hug Your Dog Day.

Former Chicago White Sox organist Nancy Faust is beloved for so many reasons, and it turns out – no surprise – she’s a huge animal lover. She talks about the first Dog Day promotions (at that time taking dogs to Comiskey Park) and her love of goats, and what goats are like.  You’ll also hear Bill Veeck and Harry Caray behind-the-scenes stories.

Raissa Allaire, Executive Director of Tree House Humane Society, explains their holistic circle of care, everything from providing for community cats (trap-neuter-vaccinate-return) to offering the community affordable veterinary care (for cats).

What New York City is doing about leptospirosis spread by rats, and perhaps Chicago should follow.

Dr. Robin Downing is a polymath (that means she knows A LOT) of veterinary medicine, a well-respected, albeit outspoken, expert on many topics. Discussed are a wide range of subjects from bioethics in veterinary medicine to the Fear Free initiative and principles to consent dog training (ascent is actually a better term) to declaw in cats a multi-modal approach to pain relief and more.

And virtual care and why a veterinary patient client patient relationship is so important.

Dr. Renee Schmid is Senior Toxicologist at Pet Poison Helpline, a 24/7 pet animal poison control center.  A wide range of concerns including rodenticides to insecticides; and what you can do if your pet ingests some. The truth about garlic in cats and dogs. Also discussed is Xylitol or Birch Sugar which can quickly kill, and this sugar substitute is now even in some products that aren’t sugar free.

Charlie Propsom, Founder of Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control, on how media has sometimes been critical for too many euthanasia’s at Chicago Animal Care and Control. Finding fosters and other shelters to relieve the stress has helped a lot.  But they continue to get in more animals than those who adopt. Each weekend in April adoption fees are waived and there is an open house April 27. Also discussed is the mission of the Friends of Chicago Animal Care and Control. 

What are the most popular dog breeds in the U.S, at least according to the American Kennel Club.

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Chris Pachel talks about canine separation anxiety – what it IS and what it IS NOT. What can people do to deal with dogs who have separation anxiety? Are dogs really guilty after having an accident indoors or tearing up a pillow because of separation anxiety.  Why are psycho-pharmaceuticals may be required or a product called Calmer Canine. Also, discussed is behavior modification. Most important, Dr. Pachel says, separation anxiety can be treated.

Ben Seidman is the COO and co-founder of Mella Pet Care, not only do pet parents love their ideas, so did Mark Cuban of Shark Tank. One product is a pet and user friendly way to take a pet’s temperature, and another keeps tabs on a pet’s weight, as the Biggy Body Scale allows you to monitor a pets’ well-being by calculating weight, body fat percentage and  body condition score.