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 season, expressing concerns about tinsel and ribbon; Christmas tree water; potpourri, preventing pancreatitis and so much more.

Another howliday tradition – it’s Steve’s dramatic reading of Twas A Pet’s Night Before Christmas.

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 to as pit bulls) and explains why these bans never do what they’re intended for. 

Answering the email: Why does my dog stare at me? And an update on the Steve Dale WGN Radio Petcasts.

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 warns about products with an artificial sweetener called Xylitol or birch sugar. The discussion is wide-ranging, and includes dispelling Internet jokesters and disinformation.

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 all in veterinary medicine, from working as Zoo Director at the Los Angeles Zoo, to President of San Diego Humane Society, to caring for cats and dogs, to working primarily on cancer treatments. Additionally, Dr. Goldstein is also author of Lions and Tigers and Hamsters: What Animals Large and Small Taught Me About Life, Love, and Humanity. Back for the third straight year, he takes out his crystal ball to offer his predictions for what’s to come in veterinary medicine in 2025, from AI to Fear Free. 

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 a dog trainer, how to best deal with reactive dogs, and being dominant or alpha “over dogs.” He explains, “If you take care of the bond, the training takes care of itself.”

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, schools, nursing homes and more. Not all too long ago, it was a challenge to sell the notion to any facility and today there aren’t enough dogs to fill the need. As Frei says, “A faithful friend is the medicine of life.”

Skunks are out and about – what you can do if your pet gets skunked?

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 their newly designed website, email [email protected]

John O’Hurley will broadcast his 23rd National Dog Show presented by Purina on Thanksgiving Day, on NBC (and Peacock) at noon. Around 30 million people watch this show, more than the Academy Awards or most of the World Series games. Discussed are how dogs are the most varied species on the planet. What attracted J. Peterman from Seinfeld to a dog show? And will there be a Seinfeld reunion?

A description of what Fear Free is all about.

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 All Things Canine with a forward by his friend Dr. Jane Goodall. Dr. Bekoff dispels several myths, such as if dogs always love us conditionally? And are dogs even capable of love? Also, discussed is the intensification of the human animal bond.  Sponsored by www.farmtopettreats.com

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 pack the pounds. He states that without question, quality of life is compromised when pets are overweight or obese. So what do you do when pets are overweight or obese? And that answer about what to do will be changed in a few years as pharmaceutical companies are working on a weight loss drugs for cats (with dogs to follow). 

The Association for Pet Obesity Prevention is hoping you partake in a special survey to help better understand what pet parents are thinking, if your dog or cat is overweight or obese or not doesn’t matter – your input counts.

Why retractable leashes ought to be banned.

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 – or mid-level professional – would be practicing at the intersection of the veterinarian and the credentialed veterinary technician.

For starters, do we really need this new position? And it seems this additional job will drive up costs further. What’s more, veterinary technicians who arguably should be making more money, won’t benefit and the shortage of credentialed technicians may worsen. Also, discussed is telehealth, and why it’s a good idea if and only if there is a veterinary client-patient relationship.

Petco has banned the sales of rabbits (they will adopt from shelters or rescue). It’s great news for bunnies.