Winter Woofs: Keeping Your Pup Active Indoors with Sparky Steps As the cold winter winds sweep through Chicago, pet owners face...
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Winter Exercise Tips for Dogs: Indoor Activities to Keep Them Active
Navigating the Chicago Chill: A Guide to Protecting Your Pup's Paws in Winter
As winter tightens its icy grip on the Windy City, dog owners in Chicago must prepare to face the challenges that...
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The Struggles and Triumphs of Brushing Your Dog's Teeth: A Sparky Steps Guide to Dental Hygiene
Discover the challenges of brushing your dog's teeth and learn how to overcome them with this comprehensive guide from Sparky Steps, your...
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How Do You Manage Your Dog’s Leash Aggression?
Carrie Pallardy The leash is a helpful tool for any dog owner. Clipping one on allows you step outside with your...
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How to Train Your Dog to Do Tricks
Carrie Pallardy Source Why stop at the basics? Training your dog doesn’t have to end after you have mastered commands like...
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Training Your Dog: The Importance of Socialization
Carrie Pallardy Source Whether you are bringing home a puppy or an adult dog, proper socialization is an essential part of...
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How Do You House Train Your Puppy?
Carrie Pallardy Accidents in the house are a normal part of having a puppy, but dog owners eagerly await the day...
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6 Steps to Crate Training Your Dog
Puppy & Adult Training A Safe Space of Their Own: The Ultimate Guide to Crate Training Demystify the crate training process, avoid...
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Going for a Walk: How to Teach Your Dog Leash Etiquette
Carrie Pallardy Source One of the best parts of having a dog is stepping outside and stretching your legs together. You...
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How We Met ❤ Feat. @lordeddardgad
I wasn’t a dog person so to speak before I met my dog Ned. This is how we met: when I...
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How We Met ♥ Feat. @chicagoromeo
I had been looking for the right dog for a long time. And then during the pandemic, I got a lot...
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Interview With Eileen and Watson Belvedere
We interviewed Eileen From Chicago, USA with his dog, Watson Belvedere! Tell us about Watson Belvedere! Watson is a sensitive, independent ‘little man’, clever...
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The Beginner’s Guide to Sit and Stay
Sit and stay are the foundation of training your dog. While these are relatively simple commands, they require a good deal...
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A Guide to Recall Training for Your Dog
Carrie Pallardy Source Does your dog come when you call? Reliable recall is an essential part of training your pet. You...
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The Tallest Dog: An Irish Wolfhound Breed Guide
Carrie Pallardy Source Irish Wolfhounds take their names from their history of hunting large game, including wolves. While their stature...
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The Dog Behind the Spots: A Dalmatian Breed Guide
Carrie Pallardy Source Dalmatians are a beloved breed of dog easily recognizable by their white coats with black spots. While...
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The Pet Lover’s Guide to Albany Park
Source Plenty of neighborhood guides delve into the restaurant, bar, and cultural scenes of Chicago’s neighborhoods, but your pets are more...
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At Home on Land and in Water: A Breed Guide to the Portuguese Water Dog
Carrie Pallardy Source The Portuguese Water Dog might not be as a big of a name as a Golden Retriever or...
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Lincoln Square Chicago for Dogs and Cats
Source Pet owners have quite a few features to consider when choosing or getting to know a neighborhood. For dog owners,...
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The Dog Behind the Fluff: Meet the Bichon Frise
Carrie Pallardy Source With its white fluffy coat, the Bichon Frise is one of the most recognizable lap dog breeds....
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The Mighty Akita: A Breed Guide
Carrie Pallardy Source Akitas are a large working breed of dog, easily distinguishable due to their upwardly curled tails and...
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Canine Agility: A Breed Guide to the Belgian Malinois
Carrie Pallardy Source The Belgian Malinois (MAL-in-wah) breed might not be a household name, but action flick fans will probably...
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Meet the Westie: A Breed Guide to West Highland White Terriers
Loyal, low-shedding, and packed with terrier personality, the Westie is a small dog that fits big-city life. Here's a complete guide to...
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A Noble Hunter: A Breed History of the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Carrie Pallardy Source Rhodesian Ridgebacks are sometimes mistaken for Vizslas. Both breeds have similar close, burnished coats of copper and lithe,...
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The Big and Beautiful Newfoundland: A Breed Guide
Carrie Pallardy Source From afar, you might confuse a Newfoundland for a small bear. These enormous dogs have long, shaggy coats...
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A Noteworthy Nose: A Basset Hound Breed Guide
Carrie Pallardy Source If you are a fan of classic Disney movies, you might recognize Sherlock Holmes’s dog from “The...
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Interview With Alyssa and Herbie
We interviewed Alyssa Lynch From Texas, USA with her dog, Herbie! Tell us about Herbie! "Herbie is a 6 year old terrier mix who...
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A Lovable Herder: A Breed Guide to the Collie
Loyal, gentle, and famously good with kids, the Collie is far more than Lassie. Here's a full guide to the breed's two...
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The Small But Mighty Maltese: A Breed Guide
Source Updated August 2026 The Maltese is the quintessential lapdog. These pups have long, flowing white fur and a petite frame perfect...
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Interview With Family Vermeulen-De Fauw and Their Pets Roro and Tseetsee
We interviewed Family Vermeulen-De Fauw From West Vlaanderen, Belgium with their pets, Roro and Tseetsee! Tell us about Roro and Tseetsee! “2 beaucerons, French sheperd...
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Interview With Barb and Rudy
We interviewed Barb Natividad From Chicago, IL, USA with her dog, Rudy! Tell us about Rudy! "Rudy is a beagle/American Staffordshire Terrier mix. He loves playing fetch and...
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The Different Kinds of Spaniels: A Brief Breed Guide
Those floppy ears and soulful eyes are hard to resist, but not all Spaniels are created equal! From the apartment-friendly Cocker Spaniel...
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The Gray Ghost: A Weimaraner Breed Guide
Striking, silver-gray, and famously devoted, the Weimaraner is a high-energy sporting dog that bonds hard and hates being left alone. Here's a...
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A Smart and Tireless Breed: A Guide to the Border Collie
Carrie Pallardy Source Border Collies routinely top the list of the smartest dog breeds. The Border Collie Chaser actually earned...
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A Bodyguard Breed: A Guide to the Cane Corso
Carrie Pallardy Source The Cane Corso is a large breed that commands attention with its powerful body and regal appearance. Like...
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Interview With Sandy And Enzo
We interviewed Sandy From Wolcott, CT USA with her dog, Enzo! Tell us about Enzo! “I lost Enzo 2 years ago. But I keep his...
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A Spunky Spaniel: A Brittany Breed Guide
Brittanys run on something that doesn't quite look like regular dog energy. It's more specific than that: it's the focused, purposeful drive...
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Interview With Samantha and Scout
We interviewed Samantha Lacy From Chicago, IL, USA with her dog, Scout! Tell us about Scout! “My dog Scout is a 3 year...
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Can Cats And Kittens Get Down Syndrome?
by George Vezilich Source Any cat lover would agree that cats are unique animals and each and every one of them...
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Herding Talent: A Sheltie Breed Guide
Herding Talent: A Sheltie Breed Guide Carrie Pallardy Shetland Sheepdogs are one of those breeds where the first impression, a...
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A Petite Athlete: A Breed Guide to the Miniature American Shepherd
Carrie Pallardy Source When most people think of a herding dog, the image of a wide-ranging Border Collie or a rugged...
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Small and Sassy: A Chihuahua Breed Guide
Carrie Pallardy Source Chihuahuas may be the smallest breed of dog, but what they lack in size they make up for in...
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A Fluffy Toy Breed: A Guide to the Havanese
Source A Fluffy Toy Breed: A Guide to the Havanese The Havanese is a popular toy breed known for its lively...
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Summer Safety Tips For People Who Love Their Pets
Brandon Butler Source If you have big summer adventures planned with your furry friends – cat or dog – you’ll want to...
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Black and White Style: A Guide to the Boston Terrier Breed
Black and White Style: A Guide to the Boston Terrier Breed Source Boston Terriers have alert eyes, perky ears, and an inviting...
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Behind the Shih Tzu Coat: A Breed Guide
Ancient, affectionate, and endlessly charming, the Maltese is a tiny white companion made for city living. Here's a complete guide to the...
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Standard, Miniature, and Giant Schnauzers: A Breed Guide
With their bushy eyebrows and distinguished beards, Schnauzers often look like grumpy old men trapped in a dog's body. But did you...
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Interview With Sam and Daxter
We interviewed Sam Schultz From Chicago, IL, USA with his pup, Daxter! Tell us about Daxter! “Daxter is a hilarious and adorable 65lb...
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Puffy Pomeranians: A Breed Guide
By Carrie Pallardy | Updated June 2025 Quick answer: Pomeranians are small (3–7 lbs), double-coated toy dogs with big personalities. They're loyal,...
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5 Tips to Earn a Dog´s Trust
Source 5 Tips to Earn a Dog´s Trust Since ancient times, humans and dogs have maintained a strong relationship of cooperation. Even...
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