Certified by the Holistic Grooming Academy
Holistic Grooming Foundation Framework
🌿 The Wag-Wagatha Way™
Holistic Grooming Foundation Framework
The Wag-Wagatha Way is a gentle, soul-soothing approach to dog grooming that focuses on connection, calm, and canine well-being. Built on five key pillars, this framework transforms grooming into a bonding ritual.
Whether you're a pro groomer or a devoted pup parent, following the Wag-Wagatha Way™ brings peace to the paws and joy to the journey.
Laying the Right Foundations for Grooming Success
Success in grooming doesn’t start with fancy tools or complex techniques—it starts with the foundations. The Holistic Grooming Foundation Framework is designed to help you build a calm, cooperative, and connected grooming experience from the ground up. By focusing on trust, communication, and gentle handling, you’ll create a solid starting point that makes every session smoother and more enjoyable. Whether you're a professional or grooming your dog at home, getting the foundations right sets the stage for long-term success and a stronger bond with your dog.
The Stressed Dog Owner
Name: Claire Dunwoody
Age: 37
Occupation: Freelance Copywriter
Location: Suburban cul-de-sac just outside a small town
Dog: “Buttons,” a high-maintenance Cocker Spaniel with trust issues and a glossy coat
Appearance: Claire wears drab, comfortable clothing that was once stylish pre-dog. Her blonde hair is usually in a messy bun secured with a dog brush she forgot was up there. Her tired eyes are framed by permanent under-eye circles from late-night Googling: "how to trim dog’s ears without trauma".
Personality: Claire is a good-hearted but utterly overwhelmed perfectionist. She's caught between wanting to be the ideal dog parent and desperately needing to lie down for seventeen years. She tries meditation apps but usually falls asleep before the intro finishes. She means well, but the moment the grooming hammock comes out, both she and Buttons enter a state of existential dread.
Backstory: Claire adopted Buttons during a moment of peak pandemic optimism and Pinterest-fuelled confidence. “We’ll bond through grooming,” she told friends. Reality arrived in the form of matted fur, anal gland maintenance, and a £200 emergency vet visit after Buttons ate once of the brushes.
Daily Life: Mornings begin with Buttons ignoring her while perched like a royal on a couch cushion. Claire sips lukewarm coffee while stepping over an array of failed grooming tools. Her day alternates between Zoom meetings, chasing Buttons with the “soothing” dog hair dryer, and second-guessing every canine care decision she’s ever made.
Key Accessories:
A collection of metal and plastic slicker brushes that haunt her dreams.
A shock collar she swears she’ll return (but hasn’t)
A dog hair trimmer with five attachments, none of which she understands
A grooming hammock that hangs in the hallway like a symbol of her defeat
Lavender-scented dog wipes that neither calm nor clean
Goals & Motivations: Claire just wants a nap. And maybe for Buttons to love her back. But more than anything, she dreams of evolving into The Mindful Dog Owner—rested, radiant, and unfazed by ear brushing.
The Mindful Dog Owner
Name: Claire Dunwoody
(Yes, same woman—different timeline. Healing happened.)
Age: 37
Occupation: Freelance Copywriter + Certified Canine Wellness Coach (self-taught via 14 online courses and one retreat)
Location: Same house—but now with plants that are alive and an aura of calm
Dog: Buttons, still regal, now emotionally available (on his terms)
Appearance: Claire 2.0 glows. Her blonde hair is softly tied back, like she just stepped out of a gentle breeze. She wears bright, breathable clothing in earthy tones, and her trainers are clean—not because she doesn’t walk Buttons, but because she walks
with intention. Her eyes sparkle with patience. Her vibe? “Just diffused some lavender oil and journaled about dog gratitude.”
Personality: Claire is now zen-ish. She still has moments, but instead of spiralling, she breathes deeply and offers herself a grain-free dog biscuit of self-compassion. She’s kind, present, and no longer cries over tangled ear fur. She’s embraced holistic grooming, dog yoga, and the radical concept that not every brushing session needs to end in tears
.
Backstory: After a particularly traumatic incident involving a slicker brush, a YouTube tutorial, and Buttons escaping into a neighbour’s koi pond, Claire reached her limit. She paused, reflected, and decided to become the dog owner Buttons deserves. Through dog-positive podcasts, local canine meetups, and a transformative course from Wag-Wagatha Christie, Claire found her flow.
Daily Life: Claire starts the morning with matcha and mindfulness. Buttons enjoys a belly rub on a cushion infused with the scent of serenity. She writes from home with lo-fi beats and aromatherapy. Walks are slow and sniffy. Grooming is a bonding ritual with soft brushes and affirmations like “You are brave, you are brushed, you are beautiful.”
Key Accessories:
A wooden palm-held brush that doubles as a meditation object
A cushion Buttons chooses himself every day
A soft blanket with neutral tones and no synthetic fibres (obviously)
A squeaky toy shaped like a lotus flower
A potted lavender plant that keeps the chi balanced
Relationship with Buttons: They’re in sync. Claire understands his boundaries. Buttons trusts her hands. They make eye contact during brushing now. Sometimes they just sit together in silence. No words. Just vibes.
Goals & Motivations: Claire wants to live with intention, not obligation. She believes in compassionate dog care, calm nervous systems (both species), and giving herself grace. Also, she may or may not be drafting a memoir:
“Sit, Stay, Heal: One Woman’s Journey from Stress to Zen with Her Spaniel.”
While you may not completely identify with the overwhelmed, stressed-out dog owner, completing the
Holistic Grooming Foundation Framework —with patience, practice, and intention—can move you closer to becoming the calm, mindful guardian your dog needs. And the best part? Your dog will feel the difference… and love you even more for it.
What's included
🐾 What’s Included in the Course:
🌿 5 Core Modules
Module 1: Mindful Action
Module 2: Sensory Harmony
Module 3: Canine Consent
Module 4: Natural Rhythms
Module 5: The 3R Method (Recognise, Respond, Reassure)
🎥 Step-by-step Video Tutorials
Demonstrations featuring Wag-Wagatha Christie & Barky McBarkface in real-life grooming scenarios.
📝 Printable Workbook & Journaling Prompts
Reflective exercises and space to track progress and insights week by week.
📅 8-Week Grooming Tracker
A beautifully designed, write-in visual planner to build healthy habits and observe your dog’s responses.
🧠 Science-Based Lessons
Understand counter-conditioning, canine body language, and the power of positive reinforcement.
🎓 Lifetime Access to the Course Materials
Revisit the content anytime, at your own pace.
🌸 Calming Support Resources
Including guided mindfulness exercises and calming routines for both guardian and dog.
💬 Community Support
Access to a private group of like-minded caregivers on the same journey.
🐾 Wag-Wagatha Christie
Title: The Mindful Grooming Detective
Role: Canine Companion, Wellness Guide & Gentle Grooming Muse. With a nose for nuance and a heart full of empathy,
Wag-Wagatha Christie sniffs out stress and solves the mysteries of mindful grooming with grace. Calm, curious, and always composed, she’s your trusted sidekick on the journey to a deeper bond with your dog. Whether she’s demonstrating the perfect chin rest or modelling stillness on the mat, Wag-Wagatha gently reminds us that grooming is more than maintenance—it’s a ritual of connection.
Favourite Activity: Holding space and staying zen while humans learn the art of gentle touch.
Signature Quote: "Stillness speaks. Presence connects. Love leads."
🐶 Barky McBarkface
Title: The Expressive Sidekick & Feedback Specialist
Role: Canine Communicator, Training Teammate & Zen Seeker-in-Training. Energetic, expressive, and full of personality,
Barky McBarkface is the four-legged heart of the holistic grooming journey. With every head tilt, tail wag, or pause, Barky helps humans tune into the subtle signals of canine consent. Whether she's rocking the bucket game or rolling into a relaxation pose, Barky’s honest responses teach us the power of listening—and the beauty of trust.
Favourite Activity: Turning training moments into joyful conversations.
Signature Quote: "I'll let you know when I'm ready—promise."
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