This Sporting Life!

There are some sports even the most unathletic humans can get behind - and that’s pretty much any activity that involves our dogs. Whether it’s training for the big match in a bonafide dog sport or just batting cleanup for the ever-popular “tear up the stuffy” event, Bay Woof has you covered. 

Lea Orloski leads off our April issue with What Dog Sports Taught Me, followed by Dr. Dunbar’s An Indoor Game for a Rainy Day, and trainer Dawn Kovell’s piece about how dog sports build community. Our very own Dr. Dog, Dr. Ilana Strubel fills out the feature lineup with important notes about adequate preparation and aftercare to avoid injuries in your furry athlete or in any active pup.

Elsewhere in the issue, trainer Ren Volpe has the inside story on what growling really means and why you should never punish it. Commission Tails springs into action with an update on San Francisco’s proposed spay-and-neuter legislation. And Shelter Zone brings you the latest from Joybound People & Pets with a report on its great work with behavior modification to give dogs their best chance at the winner’s circle. 

For Bay Area dog families on the go, you’ll definitely want the scoop on this month’s coolest canine events, including the 19th annual DogFest at Duboce Park and the Guide Dogs for the Blind’s Graduation in San Rafael.  And as always, Nose for News, Red and Howling, and Mr. Smarty Pants Knows round out the issue with performance-enhancing fun and factoids. 

No matter how athletic (or un-) you and your dog may be, our readers are all champions in our book. Thanks for running with us, and happy sports ball to you all!

– Rocket and the Bay Woof Pack

Cover: M Rocket, © Bay Woof 2026