Scheduling Lessons, Event Dates, and other info...
updated: 2/8/2025 @12:59 PM
📰 The Weekly Woof – February 8, 2025 📰
Valentines Day & Chocolate: What’s the Real Story? 🍫🐕
With Valentine’s Day coming up, let’s clear up some myths about dogs and chocolate.
Understanding Cocoa & Dogs
Dogs can digest chocolate to an extent, but the issue comes from theobromine, a compound in cocoa that dogs process slower than humans.
👉 Milk chocolate? A small amount isn’t a big deal.
👉 Dark chocolate? Higher in theobromine, so best avoided.
👉 Baking chocolate & cocoa powder? This is where problems happen.
How Much is Too Much?
🚫 A tiny bite of milk chocolate? Not an emergency.
🚫 A small piece of dark chocolate? Watch for symptoms.
🚨 A large amount of baking chocolate or cocoa powder? That’s when you need to act.
Signs of Cocoa Sensitivity in Dogs
Most dogs will be fine with accidental small amounts of chocolate. But if they get into high-potency cocoa products, here’s what to look for:
✅ Mild: Restlessness, slight tummy upset
✅ Moderate: Increased heart rate, hyperactivity
✅ Severe: Tremors, vomiting, or unusual behavior
What To Do If Your Dog Eats Chocolate
1️⃣ Don’t panic. A little isn’t going to harm them.
2️⃣ Know the type. Dark or baking chocolate? That’s more concerning than milk chocolate.
3️⃣ Check your dog’s size. A big dog can handle more than a tiny one.
4️⃣ Call your vet if needed. If your dog ate a large amount of high-cocoa chocolate, it’s worth checking in.
The Bottom Line
A tiny taste of milk chocolate isn’t a crisis, and some countries even give small amounts to their dogs. But baking chocolate, dark chocolate, and cocoa powder are the real culprits. Be mindful, not fearful.
🐾 THE Pack Walk of OC – Two Weeks Away! 🐾
📍 Laguna Niguel Regional Park
📅 Saturday, February 22, 2025
⏰ 9:00 AM
Come enjoy the last morning walk until fall!
For more info: ocpackwalks.com
🐶 Quick Training Tip of the Week: "Stop the Treat Bribery!" 🍖🚫
Are you bribing your dog instead of training them? If your pup only listens when you have a treat in hand, it’s time to switch up your strategy:
✅ Reward AFTER the correct behavior (not before!)
✅ Randomize rewards – Use verbal praise, petting, and play, not just food
✅ Wean off treats slowly—your dog should obey commands regardless of food
Training should be built on respect and structure, not just snacks.
That’s it for this week’s Weekly Woof! See you at THE Pack Walk of OC in two weeks!
🐶 Keep training, keep bonding, and keep speaking dog!
💬 Got a topic you'd love to see covered next week? Let me know!
Till next week!
Tommy Stark, the Dog Director
I do my weekly schedule based on your locations/availability - this reduces chances of getting into traffic delays between lessons plus maximizes the amount of dogs I can help on a daily basis.
Please give me more than one option when giving your availability if possible. Makes organizing the calendar much easier. You can also give priority times if you wish.
Sunday evening when I send out the events please confirm/accept the invite if you can.
This does not apply to new clients New clients do NOT pay before lessons if we have not met
Clients with packages will be scheduled first. Those without packages will fill in open spots on a location basis. If there is no space in the calendar for the week, I will add you to a waiting list for last minute cancellations.
•The cut off is (Sunday) at 6pm IF you would like to train this week and list a few dates and times that work for you. I will respond to you by Sunday at 8 PM with your confirmed day and time via Google Event. Once you receive the “Google Event” email please hit “accept” so that I know you have received it.
**Please allow for a potential delay of 10-15 mins arrival time based on traffic and lessons going longer - especially late in the day.
Please make sure that you have registered before filling in the availability box below. Once that form is filled out then your "card" is added to my system and then the availability will work.
You only register ONE time!
Scheduling Form Below in WHITE
Mon | 09:00 am – 08:00 pm | |
Tue | 09:00 am – 08:00 pm | |
Wed | 09:00 am – 08:00 pm | |
Thu | 09:00 am – 08:00 pm | |
Fri | 09:00 am – 07:00 pm | |
Sat | By Appointment | |
Sun | Closed |
Saturdays are for Group or Pack Walks and Sunday is my day off
February 22. 2025
THE 2/22 Walk
Earn towards your AKC FIT DOG Title
NEW SERIES: March 1, 2025
*Clinics and Seminar: Here
March 1, 2025 - Class 1 of 5
Puppy/Beginner -11am at Dee Dog Park
Workshop - Class 1 of 5 at 1pm
GRADUATES ONLY
Open to friends and family of iSpeakDog! Clients
OCdogpark.com
Dog Health will be posted via Facebook and Tips and Tricks will be posted to X. If you currently do not have X (twitter) you will not be able to see the content below
@TheDogDirector on X
Katie: 714-402-6683 Pet Sitter/Dog Walker
Isabella Stark (my daughter) - 949-610-2323 - Currently in school but can work around it
I have another pet sitter that I am currently vetting.(seems like this is an ongoing life mission)
I think I am going to start a Dog Walking Business this summer
- Training and Recovery center
Ask for Damon and tell him Tommy sent you!
website: stormmmatc.com/
With all the leash work that I do my shoulders kill me. Mary is awesome! She keeps me going!
website: attallawellness.com - Phone: 949-637-4063
Crown Valley/Golden Lantern - Ask for Erika and tell her Tommy sent you in.
Next to Hobie. Cheri or Sheri or something is amazing! I'm horrible with names but she hasn't let me down with my dog (malshi mutt) - Tell her Tommy Stark sent you...we've been taking the maltese mix there for years.
UPDATE Cheri left, they still did an amazing job!
DO realize that groomers are like barbers - you WILL have different opinions from others about how your dog is to be groomed.
Damion and Henry are incredible! They went above and beyond doing some work for me. If you have a leak or damage, these are the guys to call!
949-868-4081
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