Steve Dale's Pet World

Dot Baisly, Executive Director of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC) talks about why this organization stands strongly behind their science-based positive reinforcement approaches to dog training, and against the use of devices like shock collars. She also explains that IAABC certification isn’t only about dogs, there are also certified experts in equine and feline behavior, as well as for shelter animals. Learn more here. 

Do pets suffer from a mid-life crisis? If so, what does that mean? Dr. Kelly Fishman explains that the six-year old dog isn’t about to sniff out a Porsche, but does note this portion of a pet’s life – pre old age and well past puppy or kitten isn’t investigated often. And what pet parents can do to be proactive, which will make transitioning into old age healthier for the pet.

A new reason, and a compelling one to keep dogs on-leash.

Jenny Schlueter is the Executive Director of Heartland Animal Shelter in Wheeling. And the comeback story there is quite incredible. After suffering from a devastating flood (all animals were heroically rescued but the facility suffered serious damage); this is a comeback story of perseverance featuring record adoption numbers.  

Anti Cruelty is the most established animal shelter in Chicago – and President Darlene Duggan explains that it is open admission shelter (which there are none in the City aside from the City run Chicago Animal Care and Control). Most shelters don’t do this – it means Anti Cruelty accepts owner relinquishments every single day and the reality is that means the need more financial resources to care for more animals. Without Anti Cruelty Chicago would be in deep you know what. Also, discussed is the good time Pour Your Heart Out Event in September.

Keeping pets safe in hot weather.

Dr. Patricia McConnell is the GOAT of dog training. Among her books, the classic, The Other End of the Leash. She discusses the state of dog training today, and her feelings about a movement among a vocal and perhaps increasing minority to use shock and prong collars.  She also talks about the magic relationship we have with dogs.

Also, a tribute to Steve’s friend and longtime friend of the show, Dr. Mark Goldstein.

Kathy Callahan and Helen St. Pierre, co-authors Old Dog, New Dog: Supporting Your Aging Best Friend and Welcoming a New One talk about everything from “puppy proofing a home” to adjusting homes for senior pets to whether or not to mix it up, do you bring in a young dog to share space with an old dog?  Callahan runs a rescue for displaced senior dogs. 

Should you run with your dog? Steve offers tips.

It turns out that by learning about cancer in dogs, we can help people with cancer too, it’s called comparative medicine. By studying and researching cancers dogs naturally get, we can save their lives and human lives – and it’s happening. Dr. Timothy Fan, veterinary oncologist and professor veterinary oncology University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine is a veterinary star in the PBS film Shelter Me.

Dr. Joseph Wakshlag, professor of Nutrition and Sports Medicine at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine and Chief Medical Officer at ElleVet, explains how studies are now demonstrating that CBD can help pets, and offers what we know so far. He also indicates not all CBD products are the same.

Steve offers tips to prepared fearful pets for July Fourth.

Award-winning photographer Bob Walker’s latest book is a love letter to one very unlikely recipient who enters his cat house, a Chihuahua: A Lost Dog Finds Cat Paradise: Tails of Love and Mischief.

The EveryCat Health Foundation’s 2025 Communications Award recipient is Stacy LaBaron for her podcast, The Community Cats Podcast. What exactly are community cats? Why do myths about these cats continue to persist?

Do dogs really need to routinely wear prong (pinch) collars?

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?  Also, a hot topic now, the equipment used to train dogs. Is there ever a place for shock collars?

Tick diseases are on the rise with more ticks in more places than ever before.

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 occur because of anxiety. What’s more, this is just the right thing to do. Dr. Strickler describes pheromones and how our animals use these chemicals naturally to communicate.

Minoxidil (often sold as Rogaine) is toxic and potentially deadly to pets.

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 significant collateral damage to the dog, and potentially fracture the human animal bond.  A deep discussion about the use of shock to train dogs.

Dr. Elsey’s Cat Litter has removed all scented cat litters.

The great dog train escape