The Weekly Woof

🗞️ THE WEEKLY WOOF 

Powered by

 iSpeakDog! + The Dog Director

🐕 Pack Walk Alert!

Mark your calendar!

 THE Pack Walk of OC is happening TONIGHT — 

🗓 May 16th🕔 5:00 PM

📍 Laguna Niguel Regional Park (meet behind Whole Foods)

Let’s get those paws moving with Emily Haley + me leading the pack. All dogs welcome—just bring your leash, good vibes, and poop bags.

 👉 Check for updates: ocpackwalks.com

A huge thank you to everyone who joined group classes this morning at Dee Dog Park! What a solid session—great energy, solid focus work, and some real progress on those loose-leash skills. Y’all showed up ready to put in the work, and it showed.

🧠 This Week’s Training Tip: 

PACE Your WalksI

 just put this together and I’m loving it—

PACE: Purpose. Attention. Consistency. Energy.

Walks aren’t just potty breaks; they’re prime training time. Give every outing a clear Purpose (loose-leash focus, scent work, or calm heeling). Keep your Attention on your dog and theirs on you—use your voice, body language, and quick name cues. Stay Consistent with the rules (no pulling, no sniffing every bush unless you release it). And bring the right Energy—calm and confident on the way out, upbeat praise when they nail it.

Short, intentional walks beat long chaotic ones every time. Your dog will start looking to you as the leader instead of the environment. Try it tonight on the pack walk—you’ll feel the difference!

🏖️ Dog Places to visit: Sunsets at Alta Laguna Park (Top of the World) - Great time of year before it gets busier!! 

📰 Pawsitive Dog News

A brand-new 2026 study launching at the University of Arizona is digging into how the growth hormone IGF-1 affects cognitive aging in large-breed dogs. Early findings are exciting—large dogs may have brains that age slower than their bodies, and this research could unlock better ways to keep senior pups sharp and healthy for longer. Real progress for those gentle giants we all love.

📚 Source: University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine

💬 Quote of the Week

Dogs do speak, but only to those who know how to listen.” – Orhan Pamuk

That’s the Woof this week—short, real, and all about building better connections with our dogs. Hit me up if you want to chat training or anything else. Give your pup an extra scratch from me.

Tommy Stark

The Dog Director of iSpeakDog!