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The particle が introduces a

The particle が introduces a new subject or answers a question. So it usually put the emphasis on the previous word.
Example:
1. 犬がここにいる。 A dog is here. (The person who you're talking to wasn't aware of the dog's existence before you tell them about it).
2. 猫がここにいるか。Is there a cat here?
いいえ、犬がいる。 No, there's a dog.

The particle は shows the topic, ie, a subject previously known, so it usually doesn't indicate an emphatic word.
犬はここにいる。 The dog (which we are talking about) is here.

犬がここにいる。A dog is here. The dog is here.
犬はここにいる。The dog is here. (About the dog, it is here).


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