Bridging the Divide: Steve Dale on Canine Consent, Bite Prevention, and Breakthroughs in Feline Health

A recent episode of "The Pawsitive Post in Conversation" featured renowned radio host and certified animal behavior consultant, Steve Dale, alongside hosts Zazie Todd, PhD, and Kristi Benson. The discussion illuminated critical topics in animal welfare, including a revolutionary approach to dog bite prevention through understanding canine consent, and significant advancements in feline health research spearheaded by the EveryCat Health Foundation. Dale introduced his new children’s book, "Ask the Dog," which champions a nuanced understanding of dog body language, particularly for children, in an era marked by increasing dog bite incidents and a growing awareness of animal sentience.

A New Approach to Dog Bite Prevention

Steve Dale’s new children’s book, "Ask the Dog," illustrated by Shelby Koehler, introduces a crucial paradigm shift in how children, and indeed adults, should interact with unfamiliar dogs. While the conventional wisdom of asking a dog’s owner for permission remains valid, Dale argues that it is equally, if not more, important to "Ask the Dog" itself. The book, Dale’s first for children, aims to teach young readers how to interpret canine body language to discern if a dog genuinely welcomes interaction.

The genesis of this book stemmed from a personal encounter Dale had while walking his Chihuahua-terrier mix. A stranger offered him the chance to pet her dog, but Dale, observing the dog’s stiff posture and averted gaze, politely declined, recognizing clear signs of disinterest. This incident crystallized his belief that dogs, as sentient beings, possess the right to refuse interaction. This principle, which Dale refers to as "just say no," forms the cornerstone of his new book, offering a fun yet vital lesson through the story of a young girl named Morgan learning to "speak dog" with her knowledgeable mother in a park filled with diverse canine personalities.

The Alarming Rise in Dog Bites and Societal Impact

The timing of "Ask the Dog" is particularly pertinent, given the escalating statistics surrounding dog bites. Dale highlighted that dog bite incidents in America are currently at a likely record high. While precise figures are often "squishy" due to underreporting of bites occurring within homes that don’t require hospital visits, data points such as increased hospital stays and a significant surge in insurance claims related to dog bites paint a concerning picture. Furthermore, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicates that dog bite fatalities have reached record highs, underscoring the severity of the issue.

Children are disproportionately affected by dog bites, often sustaining the most severe injuries, particularly to the face, simply because their height aligns conveniently with a dog’s mouth. This vulnerability is often compounded by children’s nascent ability to read subtle canine cues.

The implications of rising dog bite numbers extend far beyond individual incidents, impacting society on multiple fronts. Increased insurance claims directly translate to higher premiums for homeowners, affecting everyone, regardless of whether they own a dog. Businesses that traditionally allow pets, such as restaurants with outdoor patios or local shops, may face pressure from insurance carriers to revise their pet policies or even prohibit pets altogether.

Dale, a vocal opponent of breed-specific legislation, expressed concern that the sensationalized reporting of bites involving certain breeds, often misidentified "pit bull" types, could reignite efforts for breed bans, a battle he has actively fought and won in many cities, including Chicago. Such legislation, he argues, unfairly targets specific breeds rather than addressing the root causes of aggressive behavior. Moreover, the American Psychological Association reports a rise in cynophobia (the fear of dogs), directly linked to the increasing prevalence of dog bite incidents, which could erode the positive human-animal bond many societies cherish. From a dog’s perspective, bites are often a desperate response to fear or anxiety, representing a failure of human understanding and potentially leading to euthanasia for the dog involved.

Rethinking Human-Dog Interactions: Beyond "Ask the Owner"

"Ask the Dog" challenges deeply ingrained, yet potentially harmful, practices in human-dog interaction. Dale critically examines the common advice to extend one’s hand for a dog to sniff. He contends that this practice is not only unnecessary—dogs can smell from several feet away—but can also be perceived as rude or even threatening by a dog, potentially provoking a defensive reaction. Instead, Dale advocates for allowing the dog to initiate contact, giving it the agency to approach if interested, or to disengage if not. This method emphasizes respect for the dog’s autonomy and comfort level.

Another contentious practice addressed in the book is hugging. Dale emphatically states that "dogs are not primates" and generally do not appreciate being hugged. While some dogs may tolerate it, many find the restrictive embrace aversive, especially as they age and may suffer from conditions like arthritis, ear infections, or dental pain. Dale humorously suggested replacing "National Hug Your Dog Day" with "National Love Your Dog Day," promoting affection that aligns with canine communication rather than human projection. This emphasis on enthusiastic consent from dogs, particularly for invasive handling, is a core message that resonates with modern animal behavior science.

Historically, dog bite prevention efforts have focused on two main pillars: the importance of early socialization for puppies, pioneered by John Scott and John Fuller in the 1950s and 60s, and later championed by figures like Dr. Ian Dunbar through puppy classes; and the American Veterinary Medical Association’s (AVMA) Dog Bite Prevention Week. While these initiatives have been vital, the continued rise in bite numbers suggests a need for additional, more nuanced approaches, such as those promoted in "Ask the Dog."

Pioneering Advancements in Feline Health

The conversation transitioned to equally impactful developments in feline health, highlighting the groundbreaking work of the EveryCat Health Foundation, a non-profit organization that Steve Dale has proudly served on the board for over two decades. This foundation, unique globally in its singular focus on cat health research, has been instrumental in shaping virtually everything known about feline medicine, from vaccines and treatments to understanding specific illnesses.

A landmark achievement from the 1960s, before widespread understanding of feline nutrition, involved the discovery of taurine deficiency. Cats, unlike dogs or humans, cannot produce this essential amino acid on their own. Researchers, including then-veterinary student Dr. Paul Pion, suspected a lack of taurine in cat food was causing dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), a severe heart disease that was proving fatal for many cats. The EveryCat Health Foundation funded Pion’s research, which definitively proved this link. As a direct result, commercial cat food manufacturers worldwide now include adequate taurine, virtually eliminating diet-induced DCM. Dale noted that cases still occur primarily when individuals attempt to create homemade cat food without proper nutritional supplementation.

FIP, COVID-19, and the One Health Connection

One of the most dramatic success stories championed by the EveryCat Health Foundation involves Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP). For decades, FIP, caused by a mutation of a common feline coronavirus, was considered an invariably fatal disease, particularly tragic given its prevalence in kittens. The foundation extensively funded the research of Dr. Niels Pedersen, a professor emeritus at the University of California, Davis, and other global collaborators. This concerted effort culminated in a historic consensus in 2017 or 2018, where leading FIP researchers, convened by Dale at UC Davis, declared the disease treatable. The emotional impact of this breakthrough, seeing "hardened veterinarians… have tears in their eyes," underscores its significance for the veterinary community and cat owners alike.

Remarkably, this feline health breakthrough had unforeseen and profound implications for human health. FIP is caused by a coronavirus mutation. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, governments worldwide frantically searched for effective antiviral treatments. Drawing on research papers by Dr. Pedersen and his colleagues detailing the efficacy of certain drugs against feline coronavirus, scientists identified Remdesivir as a potential candidate. Dale had the unique privilege of explaining this "One Health" connection to Dr. Anthony Fauci, then a leading figure in the U.S. pandemic response. Remdesivir, initially validated for its effectiveness in treating FIP in cats, became a crucial antiviral for hospitalized human COVID-19 patients. This extraordinary cross-species application of research highlights the interconnectedness of animal and human health, demonstrating how fundamental studies in one species can directly save lives in another.

Tackling Common Feline Ailments: HCM, Diabetes, and Hyperthyroidism

The EveryCat Health Foundation continues its vital work, addressing other prevalent and often fatal feline diseases. Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM), a common heart disease, was another personal mission for Dale, whose beloved piano-playing cat, Ricky, succumbed to it. Dale established "The Ricky Fund" to raise money for HCM research, which eventually led to a significant breakthrough. Just a few years ago, a company in Ireland, leveraging the foundation-funded studies, developed Felisin 1, a treatment conditionally approved by the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Felisin 1 helps cats with preclinical HCM, offering a chance to manage the disease before overt symptoms appear, potentially saving countless lives as HCM is considered a leading cause of death in adult indoor cats.

Furthermore, the foundation has launched "The O’Malley Fund," initiated by incoming board chair Kara Burns, to tackle diabetes and hyperthyroid disease in cats. Feline diabetes, often linked to rising rates of obesity, can be effectively managed in many cases, but some cats develop insulin resistance, making treatment challenging and costly. The fund aims to find better treatments and, crucially, prevention strategies. Similarly, hyperthyroid disease, increasingly common in older cats living longer lives, also has treatments, but the focus is shifting towards prevention. The EveryCat Health Foundation’s extensive research portfolio also includes studies on kidney disease, cancers, and early spay/neuter practices, demonstrating a holistic commitment to feline well-being.

Conclusion and Call to Action

The "Pawsitive Post in Conversation" episode with Steve Dale served as a powerful reminder of the profound impact that dedicated research and informed animal-human interaction can have. From empowering children to understand and respect canine communication, thereby reducing dog bites, to funding life-saving breakthroughs in feline medicine that even benefit human health, the work highlighted by Dale underscores the critical importance of continuous learning and advocacy in animal welfare.

For those interested in learning more about Steve Dale’s work, including his newsletter and upcoming appearances, resources are available at stevedale.tv. Information on the EveryCat Health Foundation’s initiatives, research findings, and ways to contribute can be found at everycat.org. The full episode of "The Pawsitive Post in Conversation" with Steve Dale is available for viewing on YouTube and listening on major podcast platforms.