North Bethesda, MD
Kelly Gail Citrin
Kelly's passion for animals began with her first pit bull in 2006. She started volunteering at animal shelters, working with difficult dogs, studying behavior, and training dogs to make them more adoptable. In 2008, she began rescuing and rehabilitating pit bulls. She started teaching obedience and agility at Zoom Room in 2012 and became the “Pit Bull Mentor” for students struggling with their pit bulls. Kelly and her therapy dog, Brutus, joined NCTD in 2014 and began working with middle school aged children with behavioral problems. Kelly was elected to the NCTD Board in 2016 and still serves as Secretary. In 2021, Kelly founded 4 On the Floor with a team who shares her vision and philosophy in training.
Training Philosophy
Kelly believes in positive reinforcement, force-free, and harm-free training methods. Her training philosophy is “Patience, Persistence, Positive Reinforcement, Praise & Play.” She believes an integration of these concepts is key to a successful and happy human and pup.
Services
4 On the Floor offers a variety of services, including:
- Group Classes: From puppy classes to adult dog classes, therapy dog preparation, agility, and more. Classes are available for all ages and levels of experience.
- Private Lessons: One-on-one support from certified trainers.
- PawSpot: A play and learn space for dogs to socialize, practice skills, and have fun.
- Events: Ask the Trainer events and other special events.
- Pet Sitting & Dog Walking: (This service is mentioned on the website but not elaborated on.)
Certifications
Kelly Citrin is a CPDT-KA (Certified Professional Dog Trainer - Knowledge Assessed), MBA, and a member of the APDT (Association of Professional Dog Trainers), PPG (Pet Professional Guild), and MAAPPPT (Mid Atlantic Association of Professional Positive Pet Trainers). She is also a Secretary for National Capital Therapy Dogs.
Specializations
Kelly specializes in working with reactive dogs, preparing pups for their CGC (Canine Good Citizen) and Therapy Dog work, and providing proper training for puppies and rescued dogs. She also offers non-competitive agility training.
Training Methods
Kelly uses positive reinforcement, force-free, and harm-free training methods. She emphasizes patience, persistence, praise, and play.
Customer Reviews
“I highly recommend Kelly and her staff! She teaches both the puppy and the human. Her positive reinforcement techniques and training tips really work.” ~ Claudine Rubin
“Ranger's favorite day of the week is when he gets to go to class with his siblings at 4 On the Floor. Our puppy wouldn't be the same amazing dog that he is without our favorite trainers!” ~ Desi & Ben Stapleton
“We are immensely grateful for Kelly and her team. Kelly worked tiredlessly with some of our rescue's most reactive dogs. Dogs who were being passed up over and over because people are unable to see past their barking and lunging when they see a stimulus. Without Kelly's patience, love, care, and faith in our dogs and fosters, we would not have been able to find the amazing homes that our most difficult dogs are in now.” ~ Forever Changed Animal Rescue
“I have had dogs all my life, and I thought I knew how to train my dogs. After getting my first puppy in 15 years during the pandemic, I realized I needed to refresh some of my skills. Kelly's training methods opened my eyes and it's like a lightbulb went off! Her methods just simply made common sense and I don't know how I never knew it before. I highly recommend Kelly to any dog parent, regardless of whether you're brand new at this, or if you have had dogs all your life. You will 100% learn something new!” ~ Dorothy Tortrix
We've got the answers for your questions
Seriously, if you have any questions about training your dog, we have the answers.
We have created a directory of licensed dog trainers specializing in positive reinforcement methods. These trainers are not affiliated with Dogo, and all information is gathered from publicly available sources. Each profile provides a brief overview of the trainer's experience and expertise.
Start by evaluating your dog's needs and identifying your training objectives. Each trainer's profile provides insights into their areas of expertise. Match these with your dog's character and your goals to find the ideal fit.
All trainers listed here are certified professionals with extensive knowledge of positive reinforcement techniques.
Positive reinforcement centers on rewarding preferred behaviors, ensuring a pleasant learning journey for your dog. This humane approach is scientifically proven to be the most effective long-term training method, strengthening the bond between you and your pet. By consistently rewarding good behavior, your dog learns to associate actions with positive outcomes, leading to lasting improvements and a happier companion.
Yes, they are. Our trainers are adept in basic obedience or intricate behavioral challenges. Browse their profiles to identify a trainer who specializes in the particular issues you wish to address.
Simply click on the preferred trainer's profile to access their contact details. From there, you can get in touch to discuss your requirements and set up training appointments.
Group sessions offer a communal setting where your dog learns general obedience alongside other dogs. In contrast, private sessions grant focused attention, making them perfect for targeted behavior modifications or individualized training agendas.
All our trainers are committed to positive reinforcement techniques and steer clear of any harsh or punitive methods. Their primary goal is to make training a joyous journey for you and your dog.
Results depend on factors like your dog's nature, the specific behaviors in question, and your training consistency. While many clients observe improvements in just a few sessions, it's crucial to be patient and persistent.
Reach out to the trainer you're interested in to discuss possibly attending a session. It's a great way to get a feel for their approach and see if it aligns with your expectations.
