Steve Dale's Pet World

Veterinary behaviorist Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Co-founder of Center for Behavior Studies explains what this non-profit to support pet studies and keeping pets in homes is all about. Dr. Dodman reveals the most common behavior problem in dogs. Why do dogs sometimes have compulsive behaviors, such tail or light chasing, and what can be done to help these dogs?

They’re doing incredible things at Anderson Humane, Fox River Valley. A conversation with Dean Daubert, CEO/President. He talks about the role the economy is playing in relinquishment of pets. And overall people are giving up more dogs, and adopting fewer dogs. Also, how important it is that his facility is Fear Free, and what that means.

Steve Dale remembers news director Tom Petersen, and explains he wouldn’t be at WGN Radio for nearly 30 years if it wasn’t for Petersen.

Dog trainer Jeff Millman on a new way to think about dog bite prevention, which is actually Steve’s idea. Millman is the author of Triggers and Reactions: A Guide to Fixing Dog Behavior Problems: Volume One: On-Leash Aggression 

Anti Cruelty President Darlene Duggan talks about the city’s oldest and most significant animal shelter’s biggest fundraiser, Bark in the Park, on May 31 in Lincoln Park. Over 1,200 dogs come together for the City’s largest dog party (and as many cats if you count images on people’s phones).  She also discusses some little known but important community Anti Cruelty programs.

At the age of 97, she had some babies.

Detroit passes Humane Bill, as they join over 400 cities to prohibit dog/cat sales at pet stores.

Once the executive director of Chicago Animal Care & Control, Susan Russell is now in Philadelphia and after a stint at an animal shelter there, she has authored Midnight: Don’t Judge Me Ruiz. She discusses the book and the still existing long list of pit bull related fallacies and Philly cheese-steak sandwiches.

Good news about heart disease in cats described by veterinary cardiologist Dr. Sonya Gordon. She also talks about heart diseases in dogs.

My conversation with primatologist Dr. Birute Galdikas about orangutans and saving the forests of Borneo.

Tips on getting dogs into shape as the weather warms.

You may recall Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald from Animal Planet’s Emergency Vets and E-Vet Interns or perhaps you’ve even seen him perform his stand-up act at a comedy club. He talks about what he’s learned about veterinary medicine from the best and about what he’s learned about show biz from the likes of the Rolling Stones to George Burns. He talks about his autobiography, It Started With A Turtle: One Man’s Life on a Blue & Green Planet.

Wayne Pacelle, founder/CEO Animal Wellness Action and Center for a Humane Economy is positively ecstatic as so many animal lives will be saved as a result of FDA Commissioner Marty Makary’s bold vision to reboot drug development by discontinuing the use of animals to test pharmaceuticals. And as one additional outcome, drug prices should decline. 

Here’s something different, it’s not a cat café, it’s a capybara café.  

Cat allergies neutralized with Purina ProPlan LiveClear .

Straight up, asking questions listeners would want to ask of Armando Tajeda, Executive Administrative Assistant and Public Information Officer Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC). He conceded the agency doesn’t have a long history (and that’s true in many other cities as well) of absolute transparency, that’s now changed. And offer Armando an opportunity to explain it all, good and bad – just the truth.  

Steve makes an announcement about his latest book, due out later this year, called Ask the Dog. 

And it turns out a new and nutritious kind of milk has been discovered.

Unlucky in love but lucky with dogs, Susan Hartzler talks openly about her life in “I’m Not Single, I Have A Dog: Dating Tales from the Bark Side.” She explains that she’s fine and content today and accepting that she may from now on only have partners with four legs. And why in many ways, that is a good thing. 

Hartzler also talks about her book “The Peace Puppy: A Memoir of Caregiving and Canine Solace,” about how dogs can in some ways guide or at least take some stress of caregivers. And as dogs age, we become their caregivers.

Steve offers the hot ‘n trendy dog breeds according to American Kennel Club numbers, and also the top cat breeds from the Cat Fanciers’ Association.

Legendary Dr. Sheldon Rubin has been a guest on WGN radio dating back to Wally Phillips, when he was among the first veterinarians to talk regularly about pets in the media. Dr. Rubin is passionate about informing people of the dangers of heartworm disease which is nearly always preventable. He also recalls odd animals he’s dealt with, including a forlorn kinkajou. And how Anti-Cruelty has saved countless animals because of their open-admission policy, which only one other Chicago facility has.

The trendiest pet names are linked to Wicked.

With over 300 million views on his Simon the Cat’s YouTube page, and several books published, Simon Tofield explains the origin of Simon and why he think his animated cat became an international sensation. With countless interviews under his belt this is the first time he explains why he feels he is so innately in touch with cat behavior.  His latest book is Simon’s Cat vs. The World. 

Vetique is indeed a unique Chicago veterinary practice, which Dr. Jessica Trice is a co-owner. She explains how her practice is all about dealing with fear, anxiety and stress of humans as well as their pets. They even serve wine to support relaxing (for people) and offer treats to people and to pets. Also, they make special efforts to accommodate cats.

Steve reveals the most popular and trendy dog breeds.

Pretty much everything we know about cats was once funded by the non-profit – EveryCat Health Foundation. Jackie Ott Jaakola, Executive Director, explains further and how recently treatments have been found for feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) and feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (the most common heart disease in cats). In fact, anyone can attend virtually or in person, Health Breakthroughs for EveryCat: Focusing on Future Therapies for Feline Heart Disease and Beyond at North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh, April 26-27,

Susan Burrows, Program Coordinator of Rainbow Animal Assisted Therapy, discusses the largest organization of its kind in the Chicago area, interacting with nearly 40,000 individuals each year. She explains what these dogs do, and how they change lives (sometimes even save lives). In fact, there’s a need for more dogs, and Susan explains how your dog may become accepted into a program.

Steve says, enrichment is vital for all pets, including senior pets.

Oh rats! It’s a real dog sport, and now available in Evanston from City Sniffers. Megan Renner is a Certified Canine Sports Training Professional and Certified Canine Training & Behavior Specialist. Currently she is a judge for Happy Ratters and Rat Games. What the heck is that all about?

Who will win the Windy City Sweets cookie contest, which benefits Anti Cruelty? Anti Cruelty President Darlene Duggan offers her odds as to whether Steve Dale or WGN-TV’s Paul Lisnek will crumble and become Chicago’s biggest fool on April 1. Also, why are animals being relinquished to animal shelters in 2025? And how Anti Cruelty’s free behavior hotline plays a significant role to prevent pets to be given up. Also, an exciting podcast announcement from Anti Cruelty.

The top dog names of 2025.