Meet Your Trainer

Kristin Castro

My early interest in behavior and cognitive processes originally led me to earning my bachelor’s degree in psychology and my master’s degree in psychotherapy. During that time, I fed a lifelong love of animals by working in the veterinary field where I gained experience with people, dogs, and cats for 12 years. I had always enjoyed the casual training of my family dogs and in 2013 acquired my second Australian Cattle Dog, Ash. His emotional reactive brain challenged me and ignited my interest in canine behavior modification. Ash and I reached our goals with dedication, research, consistency, the help of seasoned trainers, and plenty of trial and error. To this day, Ash has taught me more about dogs and myself than any book or research and continues to teach me and help me teach others daily.

In 2015, my passion for using my veterinary knowledge, school education, and experience training, guided me to a three-month apprenticeship with Dog Dynamics Inc., where I continued to learn and practice teaching basic obedience and behavioral modification. Once the apprenticeship was complete, I became a full-time trainer, taking on private clients, conducting group classes for puppies, basic obedience, and reactive dogs, and offering board and train services. I find it incredibly rewarding to assist dogs and their owners in overcoming personal challenges, building healthy relationships, and living happier lives together.

I am an advocate for continued learning and have attended courses and seminars by seasoned trainers and behavior specialists such as Bonnie Brown-Cali, Michael Ellis, Nelson Hodges, Jay Jack, Ivan Balabanov, Ken Ramirez, Sue Sternberg, and Larry Krohn. I have learned technique and theory from other masters in the field. In addition to obedience, play, behavioral modification, and veterinary health, I have spent time learning about the canine-human relationship and the canine brain, nutrition, and history. I am an AKC CGC evaluator, a professional member of the IACP, and veterinarian backed and recommended.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my Australian Cattle Dogs, Ash and Rowan, hiking, herding, traveling, and training barn hunt, tricks and obedience. I also take pleasure in trail rides and obstacle courses with my horse Mick.

CustomK9s@gmail.com

(925) 332-8411

P.O. Box 1191 Clayton, CA 94517