Steve Dale's Pet World

Jane Goodall, the legendary chimpanzee researcher, has died at age 91. Here are a couple of conversations between Goodall and WGN Radio’s Steve Dale:

November, 2003:

May, 2019:

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Amy Pike answers what it’s like to be dog parent with real-life issues. From day one with a puppy or an adult dog, how to best connect with your dog. What are the devices products to never use when training dogs.  Specific issues, included resource guarding, and the best way to walk dogs and why a “heel” can be “worthless.” Dr. Pike’s book is appropriately called Dog Parenting: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding, Training and Bonding with Your Best Friend.

Also, new American Animal Hospital Association guidelines which suggest no ear cropping or de-barking of dogs or declaw for cats.

Jill Rappaport, formerly of the Today Show, is an avenger to senior dogs with the Grey Muzzle Organization. She talks about adopting senior dogs, and how dental health actually make them far more adoptable (not to mention healthier).

Phil Arkow, co-founder of the non-profit National Link Coalition, offers an important legislative update regarding the Link. Arkow helped to establish significant Links between animal abuse and child abuse, domestic violence, elder abuse and other forms of violence. Mistreating animals is no longer seen as an isolated incident that can be ignored.

What are the so-called “Frankenstein rabbits” are all about.

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Theresa DePorter talks pheromones to fish. Dr. DePorter is responsible for one of the definitive studies on the consequences of punishment-based dog training and the use of equipment, such as shock collars. And we also talk about the language of cats. Are cats really from another planet? She has two pet owner surveys out, one on keeping fish and another on how well you may understand what your cat is trying to tell you.

The most popular pet names of 2025.

We have more senior pets in the U.S. than ever before. How do you even define senior pets? That’s where Dr. Heidi Lobprise, author Small Animal Senior Care: Blackwell’s Five-Minute Veterinary Consult Clinical Companion begins. I was honored to author two chapters in this having to do with the importance of enrichment in aging pets. We also discuss preventative veterinary care, pain, the importance of proactive dental care, weight control and so much more including what all aging pets do need.

If you are allergic to cats, did you know there’s a cat food which neutralizes the protein causing those allergies.

There’s a new test to identify early kidney disease in cats.

By using buttons, Christina Hunger says you can communicate with your dog in ways never previously thought possible. She’s the author of, Your Dog Can Talk: A Step-by-Step Guide to Button Training and explains it all, step-by-step.

It’s called brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome and increasingly in the U.S., this is a cause of early death or at the very least impaired quality of life for many dogs, especially some pretty popular breeds. Dr. Boaz Mann explains what to watch out for and how to treat these dogs. 

Steve announces his new podcast from Petterino’s Restaurant, called Booth 46.

Would Steve have been guilty of stealing this dog, or honored for rescuing this dog?

Dr. Michael Lappin, Professor of Internal Medicine at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine discusses an upcoming symposium on Feline Infectious Peritonitis: Has Purrsistence Cured FIP: What We Know So Far, co-hosted by the EveryCat Health Foundation. And also, if you are allergic to cats, how by feeding a specific cat food that sneezing may go away.

Brooke Shields has been on stump for years, talking about the best ways to maintain youth. Now, she’s all about that same topic for pets, as Steve speaks to her about her “new thing.’

Celebrating the work of Dr. Cynthia Otto to support her Working Dog Center, and teaching dogs to identify Ovarian Cancer, and what that means in the real world.

It’s a dog show like none other – the Great American Dog Show will be held in Cantigy Park in Wheaton, September 5 to 7. Scott Pfeil, president of the Great American Dog Show explains how this show is so different, and welcoming of pet dogs, perhaps your dog.  And the show is outdoors, and hugely family friendly. 

Jamie White is a member of the Board of Directors of Friends of Chicago Animal Care & Control, and she announces the Chicago River ride 2025 Cruise for Dogs on August 27. This is an architecture cruise for dogs, with dog to help Chicago’s homeless dogs (and cats). Learn more about the Funraiser, HERE.  

A little dog makes a very big rescue

Wayne Pacelle, founder Center for a Humane Economy and Animal Wellness Action, has fueled the effort to stop using millions of kangaroos for making the athletic shoes. He launched the #kangaroos are not skins campaign. Today, most major manufacturers, as he explains, are no longer supporting killing kangaroos. He also makes an announcement, that he’s working – in a bi-partisan way – to create an animal cruelty crimes section at the U.S. Department of Justice, and he explains what that is.

Veterinary nutritionist Dr. Danielle Conway is a morning myth buster – busting numerous common myths regarding pet foods.

Sadly, dogs still do die in hot cars, and it’s happening more often.

It’s one of the tougher issues to deal with, reactive or aggressive dogs. Increasingly some might sooner or later seek out a trainer who says, “I will help by using a shock collar.” Dr. Zazie Todd states that is the exact wrong approach. She is the author of Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful or Reactive Dog. She says post pandemic the need for supporting these dogs is greater than ever before, and she explains how to be help these fearful or reactive dogs.

Are these birds stool pigeons that are crossing the India/Pakastani border? Why birds may be a national security issue.