The Weekly Woof

🗞️ THE WEEKLY WOOF  

Powered by iSpeakDog! + The Dog Director  

🐕 Pack Walk Alert!  

Mark your calendar! The next THE Pack Walk of OC is happening on  

🗓 February 7th  

🕔 9:30 AM  

📍 Laguna Niguel Regional Park  

Let’s get those paws moving with Emily Haley + Tommy Stark leading the pack. All dogs welcome—just bring your leash, good vibes, and poop bags. A chance for your dog to learn social etiquette.  

👉 Check for updates: ocpackwalks.com  

🧠 This Week’s Training Tip  

No workshop class next week due to the Pack Walk—use the time for home practice. Focus on name recognition: Say your dog's name once, in a clear, upbeat tone, then reward eye contact with a treat or praise. Practice in short bursts amid distractions, like during meals or play. This builds the foundation for reliable recall and attention in real-world settings. Consistency turns it into instinct.  

🐶 Group Classes Update  

Waiting on the Little League baseball schedule to confirm new group start dates at Dee Dog Park (spring season kicks off late February). Once locked in, I'll announce the full Winter Training Series dates as well—covering basics like sit-stay, loose-leash walking, and building confidence in everyday situations. Small groups, hands-on, led by me.  

Puppy/Beginner graduation this Saturday at 3 PM—congrats to the grads!  

💬 Message @ocdogtrainer or visit dogtraineroc.com to get on the list!  

🏖️ South OC Dog Spot to Visit  

Heisler Park in Laguna Beach – ideal for a relaxed coastal outing any day of the week.  

✅ Shaded paths winding to bluff-top views  

✅ Dog-friendly grassy areas and beaches below  

✅ Salt air and gentle waves to settle high-energy dogs  

📰 Pawsitive Dog News  

A new study in *Science* (Jan 2026) reveals "gifted" dogs can learn toy names just by eavesdropping on conversations—like toddlers picking up words from nearby chatter. Tested on super-learners knowing 100+ toys, they nailed two new ones in eight minutes by watching human cues. Shows how attuned dogs are to our social world, opening doors to smarter training methods.  

📚 Source: science.org/doi/10.1126/science.adq5474  

💬 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