Behaviour Grooming Specialist

Nantwich

Behaviour-Led, Restraint Free, Holistic Dog Grooming in Nantwich

Holistic dog groomer a winner in Paphitis' awards

Wag-Wagatha Christie was featured by the BBC following its recognition as a Small Business Sunday (SBS) winner, selected by former Dragons’ Den star Theo Paphitis. The coverage highlights founder Vanessa Barber’s journey from a 20-year career in education to creating a calm, behaviour-led, holistic grooming studio in Nantwich. Inspired by her natural ability to soothe dogs during her grooming training, and shaped by personal experiences during the pandemic, Vanessa built Wag-Wagatha Christie to champion grooming that prioritises communication, trust and wellbeing. The BBC feature marks a significant milestone for the business, helping shine a national spotlight on the importance of compassionate, informed grooming practices that truly listen to dogs.

Read the full feature

Magazine spread about behaviour grooming for nervous dogs

A holistic pet grooming business has been named a winner in awards run by former Dragons' Den star Theo Paphitis.

In the press

Media features on behaviour-led grooming

Explore recent interviews, podcasts and articles where Wag-Wagatha Christie shares practical strategies for helping nervous, elderly, reactive and medically complex dogs feel safe at the groomers.

Podcast interview about reactive dogs at the groomers

Radio

BBC Radio Stoke

The case made it to the airwaves! 🎙️ A huge honour chatting to Lee Blakeman on BBC Radio Stoke about my Small Business Sunday win.

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Guest Speaker

International Summit

Love in Action!

A thought-provoking conversation with Marilyn Mele about what conventional grooming doesn’t teach you—and why behaviour, communication, and choice matter just as much as skill.

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Podcast

Before Wag-Wagatha Christie

My first podcast appearance on Nantwich’s This Place, Our Voices may have been under a different name, but the values and vision behind my work have always been the same.

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Why this matters

Press coverage is lovely. Your dog’s welfare is the point.

I don’t share behaviour-led grooming because it’s novel. I share it because I see what happens when dogs are truly listened to — fear reduces, trust grows, and dogs once labelled ‘dangerous’ or ‘too old’ get a second chance.

Nervous, shut-down dogs who now walk into grooming willingly.
Reactive dogs who can complete essential care with choice and breaks.
Elderly dogs who stay clean and comfortable without being pushed too far.
Dogs with heart, respiratory or seizure disorders groomed accommodated.

If your dog struggles with grooming, they are not being “dramatic”, and you're not being “too soft”. You’re paying attention. The free consultation is a space to talk through what your dog is showing you and what we can practically change.

“Thank you! You have given me so much confidence in something I once thought would be a crazy idea.”

5+

years grooming experience with a behavioural focus

100+

nervous, reactive & senior dogs supported

Referrals

from behaviourists, force-free trainers & other canine professionals

Behaviour-first grooming for nervous, elderly & medical-needs dogs

Your dog’s grooming shouldn’t be terrifying. Wag-Wagatha Christie is a Behaviour Grooming Specialist service that’s been getting noticed for its calm, cooperative-care approach to nervous, reactive, senior and medically fragile dogs.