Midwest Pet Life

If washing your dog at home has ever left your bathroom looking like a crime scene, Candace D'Agnolo of Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium says the problem is almost never the dog — it's the setup. In this episode of Midwest Pet Life, Candace covers: The two pieces of equipment that solve most bath time struggles at home Why you should never use human shampoo — or Dawn dish soap — on your dog The double-rinse rule and why skipping it causes most post-bath skin problems How often you should actually be bathing your dog — and when to adjust Why shaving your dog in summer can do more harm than good The new self-wash stations at Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium — and what makes them worth it   Have a pet question you'd like Candace to tackle on a future episode? Submit it to [email protected] or DM Midwest Pet Life on Facebook. New episodes post weekly on WGIL.com and are available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Midwest Pet Life is brought to you by Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium, Galesburg's locally owned pet store.

Animal shelters across the country see their intake spike as much as 30% in the first days of July. A dog that has never once tried to escape a yard can clear a fence when a firework goes off two streets away. In this episode of Midwest Pet Life, Candace D'Agnolo of Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium covers what to do before the holiday, on the night itself, and if the worst happens and a pet gets loose. Why fireworks trigger a true panic response in dogs and cats — not bad behavior The three identification steps to take this week before July 4th How to audit your fence line and set up a safe room for the evening Calming tools that don't require a prescription — and when to call your vet What to do in the first hours if a pet gets loose Why the week before the holiday matters more than the night itself A note for cat owners — and large animal owners, too   Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium also has free Find My Pet QR tags available in store while supplies last — stop in before the holiday. Have a pet question you'd like Candace to tackle on a future episode? Submit it to [email protected] or DM Midwest Pet Life on Facebook. For the full checklist, read our story: July 4th is the worst week of the year for lost pets — here's how to keep yours safe. New episodes post weekly on WGIL.com and are available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Midwest Pet Life is brought to you by Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium, Galesburg's locally owned pet store.

Summer brings longer walks and open windows — but Candace D'Agnolo of Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium says it also brings hazards pet owners may not be watching for. In this episode of Midwest Pet Life, Candace covers: Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes — conventional and natural prevention options Blue-green algae in lakes and ponds, and why "when in doubt, stay out" is the rule to follow Pool safety and why not every dog that can swim knows how to get out Thunderstorm anxiety and the calming tools that can help Heat stroke warning signs, including a personal story about her dog Dante The 7-second pavement test that tells you if it's too hot for a walk Why indoor cats need extra attention in the heat, too   Have a pet question you'd like Candace to tackle on a future episode? Submit it to [email protected] or DM Midwest Pet Life on Facebook.  New episodes post weekly on WGIL.com and are available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Midwest Pet Life is brought to you by Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium, Galesburg's locally owned pet store.

If you have ever been walked by your dog instead of walking your dog, Candace D'Agnolo has something to say to you — and it starts with the equipment in your hand. In this episode of Midwest Pet Life, Candace breaks down the tools, techniques, and mindset shifts that can turn a chaotic leash walk into an enjoyable one. In this episode, Candace covers: Why leash walking struggles start with the owner, not the dog What to look for in a leash — and why fixed length matters Front-clip harnesses and why they work for dogs that pull The case against retractable leashes — including the injury data How to set the tone for the whole walk before you ever open the door The full-stop technique: how a loose leash teaches better behavior Why sniff time is mental exercise — and how to use it as a reward When to call a certified professional trainer   Have a pet question you'd like Candace to tackle on a future episode? Submit it to [email protected] or DM Midwest Pet Life on Facebook. New episodes post weekly on WGIL.com and are available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Midwest Pet Life is brought to you by Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium, Galesburg's locally owned pet store.

Most pet owners have never read the ingredient list on their pet's food bag. In Episode 2 of Midwest Pet Life, host Candace D'Agnolo of Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium in Galesburg breaks down what that label actually says — and why it matters. No guilt, no overwhelm. Candace says any improvement fits any budget. In this episode, Candace covers: The one FDA rule that unlocks every pet food label What named proteins mean — and why vague ingredients like "poultry" or "animal meat" are a red flag The difference between chicken and chicken meal How ingredient splitting can hide what's really dominant in a bag of food What byproducts and digest actually are Natural vs. synthetic preservatives — and which ones to avoid Simple, low-cost ways to build a better bowl right now   Have a pet question you'd like Candace to tackle on a future episode? Submit it to [email protected] or DM Midwest Pet Life on Facebook. New episodes post weekly on WGIL.com and are available on Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen. Midwest Pet Life is brought to you by Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium, Galesburg's locally owned pet store.

Midwest Pet Life, a new weekly podcast on WGIL, launches this week with host Candace D'Agnolo — pet industry veteran and owner of Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium in downtown Galesburg. Every week, Candace digs into the topics that matter most to pet owners across the Midwest — from nutrition and behavior to seasonal safety and the science behind the human-animal bond. 🎧 Listen to Episode 1 above. In the debut episode, Candace covers: Who owns pets in America right now — and why the numbers may surprise you How pet ownership has shifted across generations, from Millennials to empty nesters What the research says about pets and mental health Why the Midwest has its own distinct relationship with animals — and why this show was built for that audience   Have a pet question you'd like Candace to tackle on a future episode? Submit it to [email protected] or DM Midwest Pet Life on Facebook. New episodes post weekly on WGIL.com and are available on Apple Podcasts and wherever you listen. Midwest Pet Life is brought to you by Dante & Dory's Pet Emporium, Galesburg's locally owned pet store.