4 On the Floor

4 On the Floor Kelly Citrin, CPDT-KA, FFCP, FDM, MBA; Owner/Lead Trainer. We offer both group classes & private sessions in MoCo. FORCE FREE.

Positive Reinforcement, FEAR FREE Training, Socialization & Behavior Consulting across Montgomery County. Kelly Citrin, CPDT-KA, FDM, MBA
Member APDT & PPG
Secretary, National Capital Therapy Dogs
Steering Committee, Animal Positive Coalition

FEAR FREE. Always passionate about animals, Kelly Citrin fell in love with her first pit bull in 2006. She began to volunteer at MCHS, and then MCASAC shelt

ers, working with difficult to handle dogs, studying behavior – attending classes every Sunday - and training specific dogs to make them more adoptable. She also joined OPH rescue and was the lead for developing the rescue in Montgomery County, MD. In 2008, she began to rescue and rehabilitate pit bulls and still does today. Kelly began teaching obedience and agility at Zoom Room in 2012, and also became the “Pit Bull Mentor” for students struggling with their (mostly rescued) pit bulls. Brutus, her certified, actively working therapy dog, passed his CGC and they joined NCTD in 2014, attaining additional READ Certification immediately and began working with middle school aged children with behavioral problems in alternative education schools/programs. Kelly was elected to the NCTD Board in 2016 as an officer and still serves as Secretary. Kelly’s 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. In addition to serving as the trainer for Capitol Canines Animal Rescue and Forever Changed Animal Rescue, she volunteers for and works with several other rescues. She has attended many seminars and two day workshops with internationally known trainers, including Suzanne Clothier, Sue Sternberg, and Bob Bailey. Her areas of concentration include working with reactive dogs, preparing pups for their CGC & Training Therapy Dogs/coaching them for their test, and providing proper training for puppies & rescued dogs right from the start, including a focus on supplying family training, non-competitive agility and more. Kelly lives in Bethesda with her three rescued pit bulls, Ayla, Brutus and Sadie. All three had been tossed away and are now living as one, big, happy family.

02/11/2025

Winter Wednesday!
WE ARE READY TO RECEIVE YOUR SNOW PUP PICTURES!!!!
⬇️

02/11/2025

Tuesday Tip for a HAPPY DOG!
Thank you Trish Ryan for stating this so beautifully ❤️🐾

TOP TIPS FOR A HAPPY DOG

1. Give them choices - where to sleep, toys, the route they take on a walk, to engage or not, to play or not, to be petted or not, to wear a jersey or not...
2. Prioritize their physical and emotional safety.
3. Listen when they speak with their voices and bodies.
4. Create routines, predictability and structure. This gives rescues and anxious dogs certainty and helps calm them.
5. Let them express their innate dog behaviours like barking, chewing, hunting, sniffing, playing, exercising, and digging via various enrichment activities.
6. Groom them periodically if they like it. If not, get a behaviourist to assist you. Don't force them into a grooming van.
7. Give them a safe place to sleep. And stop bugging them while they rest or sleep.
8. Ensure that they have nutritious food and fresh water daily.
9. Give them lots of cuddles when they ask for it. Check in with them during cuddle time to confirm ongoing consent.
10. Wait for consent before touching, kissing or hugging them. Most don't really like kissing and hugging.
11. Protect them from unfamiliar people touching them.
12. Don't coerce them to engage with people and dogs that they feel uncomfortable with.
13. Encourage them to engage in independent activities to build confidence and emotional resilience.
14. Don't make fun of them or shame them...tiktok trends are dangerous and stupid.
15. Don't punish them. Rather use positive reinforcement to modify behaviour.
16. Don't ask for sits when the environment is new and when they are anxious because of the presence of new people and dogs.
17. Aim for happiness and not obedience.
18. Don't withhold snacks and treats.
19. Let them walk on your clean floor with muddy paws. One day you will miss it.
20. Let them sleep on that couch or bed and leave their fur on it - one day you will miss it.
21. Don't leave them alone for long hours...8 hours is about 2 days for them.
22. Let them sleep inside at night. They are family and the world is a dangerous place out there when alone.
23. Shield them from harsh weather conditions.
24. Use a harness to walk them...even a flat collar can hurt their throat if they suddenly lunge at a trigger.
25. Invest in 5 minutes of force-free training per day. It will be fun for both of you.
26. Let them lead the walk and sniff as much as possible. Don't ask them to walk rigidly by your side.
27. Be their voice. Advocate for them. Be rude if you have to if it means protecting them.
28. Take them for annual check ups and dentals.
29. Consult a qualified pet professional if you need help to understand their behaviours.
30. Consult a qualified pet nutritionist if you need dietary guidance.
31. Don't take random advice from dog mums and dads on social media. Each dog is different and the issue can worsen with the wrong advice.
32. Make time for them in your busy schedule.

Every 52 days is estimated to be a year in their lives. Cherish them. Don't sweat the small stuff. Their time with us is short. In creating a happy dog, you will be a happy guardian...

Sunday Funnies! When….
02/09/2025

Sunday Funnies! When….

Join us today from 12-2 at Liora’s Whole Pet on East Gude! Come meet sweet, beautiful, smart Ellie before she gets scoop...
02/08/2025

Join us today from 12-2 at Liora’s Whole Pet on East Gude! Come meet sweet, beautiful, smart Ellie before she gets scooped up!

Meet the Speedy litter  - tiny pitbull puppy anybody… Please before I take them all?!
02/07/2025

Meet the Speedy litter  - tiny pitbull puppy anybody… Please before I take them all?!

🏁 Start Your Engines… Meet the Speedy Litter! 🏁

Introducing our fast and furious little racers! 🏎️ These 6-week-old Pit Bull mix puppies are sweet, playful, and gearing up for their forever homes. They'll be ready to zoom into your heart on February 21st!

🏡 Adopters must be home a good portion of the day to work on house and crate training—no exceptions!

Ready to welcome one of these cuties to your team? Apply now and get to the finish line first! 🏆 https://www.caninesandkittiesrescue.org/adopt-a-dog

Join us THIS SATURDAY for Ask the Trainer at , 12-2PM!🎓 Have questions about your pup's behavior?🐶 Want tips for leash t...
02/06/2025

Join us THIS SATURDAY for Ask the Trainer at , 12-2PM!

🎓 Have questions about your pup's behavior?
🐶 Want tips for leash training, obedience, or puppy socialization?
📚 Meet our expert trainers!

📍 Location: Liora's Whole Pet
🗓️ Date: February 8, 2025
🕛 Time: 12 PM - 2 PM

Bring your questions and your pup, and visit and shop with us!

02/05/2025

💜💜💜look at these pups on the way here🥹

Wonderful Wednesday!! Check out our own Nikki Kinjerski’s Vici, winner of Megan Purtell Photography’s Breed Contest! Con...
02/05/2025

Wonderful Wednesday!!
Check out our own Nikki Kinjerski’s Vici, winner of Megan Purtell Photography’s Breed Contest! Congratulations Nikki & Vici…. what a wonderful photo shoot!

Tuesday Tip! Always Socializing!‘Although a dog’s primary sensitive period of socialization is as a puppy, it’s importan...
02/04/2025

Tuesday Tip! Always Socializing!

‘Although a dog’s primary sensitive period of socialization is as a puppy, it’s important to continue to socialize your dog throughout their life with activities like…’

Recognizing the signs of a poorly socialized dog early on means more time to train healthy behaviors when around other dogs and people.

Sunday Funnies! Canine (mis)communication?
02/02/2025

Sunday Funnies! Canine (mis)communication?

Science Saturday! What’s in a Name?!
02/01/2025

Science Saturday! What’s in a Name?!

Teach a dog their name using patience, repetition, and treats. It's an important verbal cue that lets them know you want their attention.

Forever Changed Friday! ‼️ URGENT!! ‼️ Sweet Scooby needs a new foster and is running out of time! Who can take this swe...
01/31/2025

Forever Changed Friday! ‼️ URGENT!! ‼️
Sweet Scooby needs a new foster and is running out of time! Who can take this sweet pup in and help him find his forever home? 🙏 ❤️🐾

01/30/2025

Our thoughts & prayers are with the victims & loved ones from last nights horrific accident.

Holy PUPPY cuteness!
01/29/2025

Holy PUPPY cuteness!

01/28/2025

Tuesday Tip! We LOVE Chirag Patel’s version of teaching ‘Leave It’! You will not hear him say leave it in this video! He is establishing and reinforcing the behavior, then making it more difficult. Adding the voice cue ‘Leave it’ would be the next step after behavior is strong!

Sunday Funnies!
01/26/2025

Sunday Funnies!

Forever Changed Friday!! Pasta or Candy? Whatever your preference, we have 11 puppies coming your way iso forever homes!...
01/24/2025

Forever Changed Friday!! Pasta or Candy? Whatever your preference, we have 11 puppies coming your way iso forever homes!!

Address

5530 Randolph Road
Bethesda, MD
20852

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 7pm
Wednesday 9am - 7pm
Thursday 9am - 7pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm
Saturday 10am - 7pm
Sunday 11:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+13016644434

Website

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Videos

🐾 Tricks Intermediate Dog Training Class 🐾 Looking to level up your dog's skills while building an even stronger bond? 🐶💪 Our Tricks Intermediate class is the perfect way to challenge your pup and prepare for exciting adventures in agility and other dog sports! 🌟 Why Tricks? The Tricks Class is fun and engaging. It creates a vital foundation for advanced training and builds your dog's confidence. 🌟 What You’ll Achieve: By the end of this class, you and your dog could be ready to pursue or earn your AKC Novice or Intermediate Tricks Title! 🗓️ Sign Up Today! Challenge yourself and your dog to learn new skills, have fun, and build teamwork along the way. Let’s make training exciting and rewarding! CLASS DATE: Jan 27-Feb 24, 7:30PM REGISTER: https://secure.rec1.com/MD/city-of-rockville-md/catalog/index/0c3b7611f26e3a47e0a1630987df7766?filter=c2VhcmNoPTQlMjBvbiUyMHRoZSUyMGZsb29y #DogTraining #TrickTraining #AKCTitles #4onthefloor #dmvdogs #RockvilleMaryland

4OTF Puppy Play Group!
4OTF Puppy Play Group!

Puppy Socials! 🎉 Save $5 through January 31 with code Puppy2025! Pre-Registration Required! Play Group Schedule: Tuesdays: 2:00–2:30 PM Wednesdays: 4:30–5:00 PM Sundays: 10:30–11:00 AM Bring your pup to our climate-controlled training center for a fun and engaging playgroup! No matter the weather, your furry friend will enjoy safe, comfortable playtime while building social skills with other pups! REGISTER: https://www.4onthefloor.dog/booking-calendar/puppy-social-games?category=3a64fb83-cc77-4cce-a5c7-136eab9ecf05&referral=service_list_widget #DogTraining #RockvilleMaryland #4OnTheFloor #puppytraining #PositiveTraining #dmvdogs #puppyplaytime #puppyplay #puppysocialization #fearfreecertifiedprofessional

Tuesday Tip! Proper Pup Bartending by Karma ❤️ Enrichment Ingredients: Pumpkin and water with a salmon and pumpkin crumble on the rim + cucumbers, carrots and some special treats as garnish, lots of love and entertainment! Enjoy! #4onthefloor #enrichmentfordogs #fearfreecertifiedprofessional #positivereinforcementtraining #forcefreedogtraining

Forever Changed Friday! WINNER for Costume Contest - Oliver! Who knows what Oliver‘s costume is? #4onthefloor #halloweendogs #positivereinforcementtraining #fearfreecertifiedprofessional #dmvdogs

4 On the Floor 2nd Annual Halloween Doggy Extravaganza! #4onthefloor #rockvillemd #dmvdogs #halloweendogs #montgomerycounty #mocomd #fearfreecertifiedprofessional #positivereinforcementtraining

Growly Alley at our second annual Halloween doggy extravaganza!
Growly Alley at our second annual Halloween doggy extravaganza!

Join us tonight 630 to 830!

Growly Alley at our 2nd annual Halloween doggy extravaganza! Join us tonight!
Growly Alley at our 2nd annual Halloween doggy extravaganza! Join us tonight!

Tuesday Tip! Start Early. Do it RIGHT. Repeat & reinforce what you like. Four weeks of Intro to Agility and look at Maggie go on her first course! 👏 Maggie & Megan! #dmvdogs #marylanddogs #greenday #agilitydog

Science Saturday! Counter conditioning must be done on a 1:1 basis in order to be successful; see dog, get food. See scary, human, get food. This is how we change the association that our pups already have with certain triggers. Alfie and Mary show us how critical the timing of the ‘yes!’ Marker is in order to change that association in Alfie’s brain so that when he looks at a scary human, it becomes the cue to look back at mom for a treat.  Well, done Alfie and Mary! Great counter conditioning session!

Don't miss this opportunity! Rally is a fun dog sport! Build engagement with your pup while strengthening key behaviors. Learn the Rally signs and work with your pup as a team to maneuver a course of signs/skills. Class begins June 14! Register Now: https://www.4onthefloor.dog/service-page/rally-1-june-14-start?referral=service_list_widget #dmvdogs #4onthefloor #rockvillemaryland #dmvdogsports #dogsports

Sign Up For SCENT GAMES! 🐾 Tap into your dog’s natural instincts through scent-detection games! Harness their amazing sniffing skills as they hunt down a designated scent and signal its discovery to you. This class is perfect for cultivating collaboration, building self-confidence, and providing mental and physical stimulation. Scent Games is especially beneficial for dogs that are fearful, anxious, or have some reactivity. Dogs of all ages are welcome, and no prior training is necessary. Starting this Friday, June 14, 2:15 pm! Sign Up Today! REGISTER: https://www.4onthefloor.dog/service-page/scent-games-june-14-start?referral=service_list_widget #positivetraining #RockvilleMaryland #4onthefloor #montgomerycounty #dmvdogs

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