Oak & Howl - Holistic Dog Behaviour & Pet Husbandry

16/05/2026

International Day of Families

Families come in all shapes and sizes 💚🐾🐶🐈

For many people we support, family includes a dog curled up beside them, a cat waiting at the door, or a pet who has been their one constant through everything.

That bond matters. And it deserves to be protected.

Because no one should have to choose between a safe place to live and their family, however that looks. 🐾

16/05/2026

Dogs understand us more than we understand them.

Took this photo some days ago and I love it. Curiosity between two species... something we tend to overlook and disallow as owners and even sometimes as dog professionals... I feel natural curiosity should always be allowed when safe, and is better than any "training".

Freki was very afraid of cattle once, now they are still a little bit scary, but allowing both him and them to observe and interact together, it makes for such a fascinating exchange; two animals of different instincts able to understand each other and be patient and responsive and learn about each other while gaining confidence.

If two different species are given choice, agency, space and patience... and are able to communicate and understand each other...

Then what's our excuse?

15/05/2026

- Saturday classes cancelled

And just like that, I'm down with something... 🙃 There is something going around and it has thrown me into bed for this last hour, sure enough I woke up feeling worse, but my god the back pain that just suddenly came on, I can barely move my feet without getting a pain all through my spine 😳

But, illness is not the enemy, just a sign of something being off... Am going to take a day tomorrow to recover from whatever this is, so all classes for tomorrow (Saturday) will be cancelled. Fingers crossed, I will be back to myself on Sunday. (I'll message everyone individually as well)

Tomorrow's scentwork is cancelled also, but we'll have a scentwork workshop on every two Saturdays from now on. Send me a message if you'd like to book it in the meantime.

15/05/2026

Leave your answers and best guesses in the comments 😉🐾 I will post an educative video tomorrow evening...

15/05/2026

15/05/2026

The next set of lead walking classes is now open for registration 💚
STARTING IN 2 WEEKS- PLACES ARE LIMITED

TUESDAYS 6:30pm in CROSSMOLINA, Co. Mayo

If your dog pulls on the lead, gets overexcited meeting other dogs or people, or just flat out "doesn't listen" to you on walks, then this is the class for you.

You will learn all about:
- How to teach your dog to walk nicely on a loose lead
- How to make walks safe and positive for both of you
- How to pass dogs, people, cars, etc.
- How to greet dogs
- How to understand your dog when on a walk; they may not be ignoring you but might actually be communicating...

Classes are held in Crossmolina this time around.
(We will return to group classes in Claremorris and Castlebar very soon)

Kind, ethical methods only 💚🥰

€120 for a block of 4 classes
A digital welcome/information pack is included.

To book, message me or text me at 089 216 8942 💚

15/05/2026

Messenger is working again! I can see your messages!! 🥳🥳🥳
I will get back to everyone shortly. Busy day ahead 💚🥰🐾

Meanwhile, Mr. Grimm says good morning 🌞

15/05/2026

Now show it with your working-line workaholic crocodile mix... 😱

15/05/2026

A bit of a topic that tends to create varied discussions in the dog behaviour and training world: when we take a close look at our own methods, are we truly "force-free"?

Dogs teach us about their needs and personalities all the time 💜 we just need to listen and give them space to be themselves, to tell us exactly what is going on and how to help them, I stead of adding even more tools as "training", "management" or so-called "communication"...

(All a headcollar, mandatory sit, an extra lead etc. "communicates" is that your dog now has even less space to communicate back...)

I welcome thoughts on these topics, but this is one that can get heated quickly among dog guardians and professionals alike, so keep it "kind with an open mind" 💜

14/05/2026

I'm working to try and get my messenger issue resolved, I can see notifications but cannot see messages- for any urgent matters please text me at 089 216 8942 - I am hoping to get this fixed ASAP!

In the meantime... I've upped my design skills, and decided to use my graphic tablet instead of a touchpad to draw my logo this time around. (Yes, the last one was drawn quite annoyingly with a touchpad in Photoshop because I had just moved house and couldn't find my tablet!) I quite like the new, but am grateful for my previous one. I've "re-branded" many times in the last years and now that I finally feel happy in my "look"(although looks aren't everything!) I decided to make my logo a little more thought through.

Honest thoughts, do you prefer the old or the new logo? 💚