Everything You Need to Know About Canine Vaccines Dogs bring their owners a great deal of love and companionship. In return, it...
Read more →
Blog — Carrie pallardy
About Carrie Pallardy
Welcome to the author archive for Carrie Pallardy. At Sparky Steps, we know that exceptional pet care is built on shared knowledge and community collaboration. The articles featured below highlight the unique expertise, personal experiences, and genuine love for animals that our contributors bring to the table.
Our Voices & Editorial Ethics
Whether Carrie Pallardy is a core team member walking dogs on the streets of Chicago, a local pet professional, or a passionate guest writer, all of our published content aligns with our core mission. We proudly champion positive reinforcement (R+), force-free handling, and science-based animal welfare. The insights you find here are grounded in real-world experience and a deep respect for animals.
Join Our Pack
By sharing their voice, writers like Carrie Pallardy help us give back and empower pet owners to advocate for their furry family members. Please browse the articles below to read their work! If you have a unique perspective or a heartwarming story to share, we are always looking for new voices to join our pack as guest contributors.
Everything You Need to Know About Canine Vaccines
6 Ways to Keep Your Dog Entertained Indoors
Updated 5/24/2026 While nothing beats a great outdoor walk, there are plenty of days when keeping your dog entertained indoors becomes a...
Read more →
What Type of Dog Fits Your Lifestyle?
What Type of Dog Fits Your Lifestyle? Having a dog is an extraordinary experience. Your pet is your constant companion, the star...
Read more →
4 Wintertime Activities for You and Your Dog in Chicago
4 Wintertime Activities for You and Your Dog in Chicago Get Moving at Jackson Bark Most dog parks in the city are...
Read more →
New Year’s Resolutions for You and Your Dog
New Year’s Resolutions for You and Your Dog If you are resolving to make some changes in 2020, you can take your...
Read more →
Can Dogs Help You Live Longer?
We all know that our dogs make us incredibly happy, but could those soulful eyes and fluffy tails actually be the secret...
Read more →
Emotional Support Dogs vs. Service Dogs
From support peacocks to miniature horses, the world of assistance animals has seen plenty of wild, viral headlines. But behind the rumors...
Read more →
How to Socialize Dogs and Children
Dogs and kids can be a really big part of life, but if the two don’t know how to get along the...
Read more →
Becoming Man’s Best Friend: The Story of Dog Evolution
Evolutionary History Becoming Man’s Best Friend: The Story of Dog Evolution From fierce Pleistocene apex predators to loving fireside companions, trace the...
Read more →
Preparing for Your Dog’s Annual Vet Visit
Dogs may live a simple life, but they need routine healthcare just like people. Once you get past the multiple visits necessary...
Read more →
Understanding the Buzz About CBD for Dogs
Recreational marijuana is legal in Illinois, effective Jan. 1, 2020, according to the Chicago Tribune. This is big news for people, but...
Read more →
How Often Should I Groom My Dog?
Grooming is an absolute cornerstone of pet health, but figuring out a schedule for your dog's specific coat type can be confusing....
Read more →
Different Ways to Integrate Your Dog into Your Exercise Routine
Different Ways to Integrate Your Dog into Your Exercise Routine Physical exercise is an important part of living a healthy lifestyle, whether...
Read more →
Decoding Your Dog’s Personality
We take tests like the Myers-Briggs to understand how we interact with the world, but decoding our dogs' individual personalities can be...
Read more →
4 Things to Know About Dog Intelligence
We all love to think our dogs are geniuses, but science actually has objective ways to measure canine cognition. From surprising problem-solving...
Read more →
5 Tips For Fostering Shelter Dogs
Every year, 1.6 million shelter dogs are adopted, according to the ASPCA. Some of those dogs go straight from the shelter to...
Read more →
7 Ways to Keep Your Dog Calm and Happy Through the Stress of the Holidays
7 Ways to Keep Your Dog Calm and Happy Through the Stress of the Holidays The holiday season is just around the...
Read more →
What You Should Know About Pet Insurance for Dogs
What You Should Know About Pet Insurance for Dogs Pets are an important part of our lives. We plan our days around...
Read more →
Trimming Nails and Handling Cracked Pads: Taking Care of Your Dogs Paws
Trimming Nails and Handling Cracked Pads: Taking Care of Your Dogs Paws Chicago weather can be rough on your dog’s feet. During...
Read more →
How to Introduce a Second Dog into Your Home
How to Introduce a Second Dog into Your Home Sometimes it is just impossible to say no to a second pair of...
Read more →
Chicago Loves Mutts: The City’s Top Dog Breeds
Chicago Loves Mutts: The City’s Top Dog Breeds Chicago is a city of dog lovers. Dog owners crowd Montrose Dog Beach to...
Read more →
5 Tips for Juggling Work and Your Dog
5 Tips for Juggling Work and Your Dog More than half of households own pets in the United States, and dogs are...
Read more →
What Summer Treats Can You Share with Your Dog?
What Summer Treats Can You Share with Your Dog? Summer is a delicious time of year full of seasonal treats. While we...
Read more →
5 Ways to Help Your Dog With Separation Anxiety
5 Ways to Help Your Dog With Separation Anxiety If you’re anything like us at Sparky Steps, nothing breaks your heart more...
Read more →
5 Things to Know About Rescue Dogs
With millions of dogs waiting in shelters across the country, skipping the breeder and adopting a rescue is one of the most...
Read more →
Sleeping With The Dogs
Many pet parents start out with a staunch, non-negotiable “no dogs allowed on the bed” rule, only to succumb to puppy eyes...
Read more →
