A lockdown puppy who went more than six months without a proper groom - leaving him looking more like his Star Wars namesake Chewbacca - has finally been transformed after drinking spring water, his owner claims. Chewie, a five-year-old Cockapoo, became so anxious around grooming that he tried to bite anyone who attempted to trim him, leaving his coat overgrown, matted and covering his eyes. In one image, the scruffy pup appears almost twice his size, with thick, unkempt fur and hair hanging over his face after months without being properly groomed. Owner Natalie Catchpole, 43, from Grays, Essex, said Chewie’s anxiety stemmed from missing key socialisation during the Covid pandemic. At his worst, the nervous dog would bark constantly, refuse to be handled and lash out during grooming sessions - leaving Natalie fearing she may have to give him up. She said: “I honestly thought I might have to rehome him. He just couldn’t cope and grooming was traumatic for everyone involved.” Grooming proved particularly challenging, and on one visit, Chewie sat outside a salon barking and crying for two hours, refusing to go inside. Over time, his behaviour escalated, with the dog refusing to be touched and attempting to bite when handled. Natalie said: “He started guarding his body and wouldn’t let anyone near his legs.” Despite working with three behaviourists and undertaking training and structured routines, little progress was made. A turning point came when Chewie was referred to specialist behaviour groomer Nikki Pahlke, who works with anxious and reactive dogs in Hornchurch, Essex. Pahlke said: “There are a lot of dogs like Chewie now - Covid puppies who missed those early experiences. They’re extremely sensitive and can become reactive when they feel overwhelmed.” Even with specialist handling, Chewie’s progress was slow. It took multiple sessions before he could be safely approached, and his behaviour remained unpredictable for more than a year. Pahlke said: “It took nine sessions before I could even touch him. He would bark constantly and even bite.” After reaching a plateau, Pahlke suggested introducing OxyPet, a nano-bubble oxygen infused water, designed to improve oxygen availability through advanced daily hydration. Natalie initially agreed to try the product on a trial basis but remained sceptical. She said: “I was extremely sceptical. I said to my mum, ‘I’m not falling for that.’ But I thought I’d try it for three months.” Within a few weeks, she began to notice changes in Chewie’s behaviour. He started allowing previously sensitive areas to be groomed and was able to remain on the grooming table for longer periods. His overall body language also appeared more relaxed during sessions. Pahlke said: “He seemed calmer in himself. His body language softened and he was more comfortable being handled.” Changes were also observed at home, where Chewie became more relaxed around family members he had previously been wary of. Natalie said: “Seeing him lying on my mum’s lap and enjoying a cuddle was something I never thought would happen.” OxyPet is produced using patented nano-bubble oxygen technology to deliver over 10 times more bioavailable oxygen, infused into beautiful Cornish spring water designed to support superior hydration, improved circulation, and recovery in dogs. While not intended as a medical treatment, the company says that increased oxygen availability and improved hydration may help support dogs experiencing stress, stamina, or recovery challenges. Karla Pearson, 51, from Hartlepool and a director at OxyPet, said: “We’re seeing more dogs that struggle with everyday situations, particularly those that missed key early experiences during the pandemic. What we’re focused on is simple, everyday support. If improving oxygen and hydration availability helps dogs feel more comfortable and cope better, that can make a real difference to their quality of life.” Six months on, Chewie is now finally able to tolerate proper grooming sessions - a huge step forward after spending months unable to be trimmed. Natalie said: “He went from looking like a little Wookiee to actually being able to see again. He’s still Chewie, but now he’s comfortable, happier and finally able to be properly groomed.”
