Our Services
Behavioral Modification
Guaranteed Results. I will solve your dog’s behavioral problem, or you don’t pay.
Consultations are free and I won’t tackle a problem I can’t solve. I can stop most any dog from leash pulling, leash resistance, leash aggression and treat grabbing. I can help you manage your dog’s barking and front door mania.
I teach basic sit, stay, down and recall commands. Working with more than a hundred different breeds I can usually determine a root cause for a strange or new behavior and resolve it.
At the end of the consultation, I will estimate the total sessions I believe it will take me to teach you how to train your dog to resolve the issue. I do all my teaching either at your home or in public, depending on the issue to be resolved.
Cost: $60 per session, usually about an hour
Introduction to Agility, Agility Training, Agility Aptitude Testing
I have one training venue in Sonoma, Sundays at 9:30 am, weather permitting March 1 through the third Sunday in November. This class has a waiting list. When there are cancellations, I rotate you in on a weekly basis.
The class is a great introduction to agility and can also be an Agility Aptitude test. Individual rotations occur often and in one session I can give you a fair assessment of your dog—and your—potential success at agility.
This is a special class unlike any other you will find. Dogs may fly and even Basset Hounds might run and jump the course. For my die-hard clients it is 1.25 hours of FUN! Each course is different, incorporating different skills of turns, switch backs and mastering the ever-challenging art of running the weave! If your desire is competition I teach AKC and NADAC rules and will further encourage and even accompany you to your first real trial!
While obstacle performance is important, the bond between you and your dog is what makes or breaks a good agility team. It can be developed and matured, but it needs to exist as a seed. This is the quality I will look for in my aptitude testing. Almost any dog, aged 9 years and younger, can become a good agility dog. (I don’t take pups younger than 14 months.)
Cost: $50 per session
(Attendance preference given to those who prepay class packs of 3+ lessons)
Canine Good Citizenship (CGC) Certifications, Urban, Advanced
With more dog friendly places, it is our responsibility as owners to keep this privilege. The best way to do this is the AKC Canine Good Citizenship (CGC) certification program. The two most valuable certifications are Community (or Advanced) and Urban. Both require your basic CGC. Benefits of CGC certification vary but may include unlimited weight restrictions for lodging and entrance to street fairs, public venues and some restaurants. It helps to cinch your acceptance to become a certified Service dog with Paw for Healing. It is also displayed on your dog’s Pedigree.
Assuming your dog already knows basic sit, stay, recall and a leash walk, I’m offering a certification package that combines Basic with either Community or Urban. You can read the test requirements below. We will go over trouble areas—like a stay or down—and learn the other specific requirements such as ignoring public distractions, the “leave it” command, riding an elevator etc. Training consists of one 1.5-hour session (plus break) at the Napa Oxbow and Archer hotel, and testing. Everything might be accomplished in one session, or a second session for testing. Re-tests/training $25 each. You receive your ribbons when you pass the test, certificates arrive by mail. Collar tags and vests are available for purchase separately. For more information to to AKC.org.
Cost: $100, plus AKC fees
Basic Canine Good Citizenship (CGC) Test Requirements:
Accepts a friendly stranger.
Sits politely for petting.
Is well groomed.
Walks nicely on leash.
Walks through a crowd.
Sit and down, stay 20 feet out.
Recall on command.
Non-reactive to another dog.
Non-reactive to distraction.
Can stay supervised separately 3 minutes.
Urban Canine (CGCU) Test Requirements:
Exit/enter doorways with no pulling in dog friendly buildings.
Walk through a crowd on a busy urban sidewalk.
Appropriate reaction to city distractions. Examples: walking on a variety of surfaces, bikes, noises, cars, walkers.
Crossing street: Stop, stand or sit, wait, cross under control.
Ignore food on sidewalk.
Person on invitation walks up and puts dog while carrying bag or satchel.
Walks into dog friendly building under control. Down stay for three-minutes in lobby or outdoor area while owner is otherwise engaged.
Handles stairs elevator under control.
House trained (owner verified).
Can enter/exit car under control.
Community Canine (CGCA) or Advanced CGC Test Requirements:
Dog stands, sits or lies down and waits under control while owner otherwise engaged.
Dog walks on loose leash makes left and right turn, stop, fast and slow pace.
Dog walks on loose leash on busy sidewalk.
Dog walks past distractions and does not pull.
Sit-stay in small group, minimum of 3 people, 3 dogs.
Dog allows person with backpack or computer bag to approach and pet it.
Dog walks by food ignores it on “leave it” command.
Down- or Sit-stay while owner walks out 20 feet, picks up clipboard and returns to dog.
Recall from 20-feet with distractions (people present).
Entering narrow passage into building, with dog first or second, and under control.
Our Commitment to Dog Owners
At Astro’s Agility, we dedicate ourselves to providing personalized, positive, and effective training for every dog and owner we work with. We take the time to understand your dog's unique personality, goals, and challenges because we believe that tailored training creates the best results. Our focus is on building trusting relationships, clear communication, and programs that fit your lifestyle—whether in person or remotely—so you can enjoy a happy, well-trained, and confident canine companion. We’re proud to be a local family-owned business with a passion for dogs, and we can’t wait to help you and your furry friend succeed!
