About Citizen K9

Citizen K9 calls itself "the premier board and train program in the Northern Virginia area" and frames the whole business around one outcome: "Keeping dogs in their homes and out of the shelter with the right training and proper systems."

The approach

The stated method is diagnostic before it is corrective: "We don't treat symptoms, we treat the cause. Our comprehensive approach includes an in-depth review of all the environmental factors that influence a dog's behavior, from lineage and medical history to feeding and family structure." The focus is relational – "We focus on establishing a positive relationship between the dog and the family."

What is offered

The navigation lists three products: "Board and Train", "Boarding" and "Private Lessons".

Who runs it

Andrew Horan introduces himself as "Owner and Head Trainer at Citizen K9", living in Gainesville. He writes that "After serving 8 years in the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Corps, then 4 years as both a government contractor and DoD Civilian", he "left Government service in July 2010", worked at a northern Virginia pet resort while finishing a business degree, then "enrolled at the Triple Crown Academy for Professional Dog Trainers in Hutto, TX (now Starmark Academy)", where after "3 months of training 6 days a week, 12+ hours a day" he "graduated in the top of my class with a certification in canine training and behavior modification."

How he sells

Directly, by his own account: "I do not believe in high pressure sales, and never hold information back from you. I believe in 100% transparency", and "while I may not be the best fit for everyone, I am always open to discussing options".

Tools

The site's own video library includes titles such as "CFP Group Class – Prong Collar 101" and "Remote Collar PSA", so tools are part of the program rather than avoided – worth knowing up front either way.