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BUSINESS
THE CHAMPION, THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 - 12, 2020 • PAGE 11
Trainer helps dogs and their people
through pandemic challenges
Terri Kruzan says she trained four family dogs to be “well-mannered urban dogs” before becoming certified and
launching a career as a dog trainer.
BY KATHY MITCHELL
FREELANCE REPORTER
The corona virus
pandemic has not just
changed the world for
people, it’s changed
the world for the dogs
that share their homes,
according to Terri Kruzan,
founder and owner of
Decatur-based Terri’s
Training for Dogs and
People. “I worry about dogs
in the current environment,”
said Kruzan, “not only have
their daily routines changed
in most cases, but they are
responding to the anxieties
of the people they live
with.”
Offering an example
of adjustments dogs are
having to make, Kruzan
commented, “Some dogs
will be uncomfortable with
a mask as they cannot as
easily see your full face or
hear your voice to judge if
you are calm or upset. The
best plan is to gradually
introduce the mask and
associate it with positive
things for the dog, such
as treats and/or a petting
session.”
After retiring from the
business world, where she
had more than 30 years
of experience in change
management, Kruzan
pursued a second career that
focuses on her longtime
passion for dogs. Kruzan,
who said she trained four
family dogs to be “well-
mannered urban dogs,”
prepared for her new career
by earning credentials as a
professional dog trainer. “I
am a dog trainer certified by
Animal Behavior College,
which is a program that
focuses on developmental
learning theory, history of
canines, dog health, first
aid and nutrition, obedience
training and problem
solving,” she explained,
adding, “the certification
includes an in-depth
internship with a reputable
local trainer.”
Kruzan said she was
inspired to become a
dog trainer after noticing
a “boom of people
adopting dogs who had no
experience in living with
dogs or knowledge of their
historical role as working
animals who perform jobs
for people. Dogs are bred
to work. They don’t want
to lie around; they want to
do their jobs and that must
be incorporated into their
training.
“I realized it was
proving difficult for many
dogs to become inactive
pets without jobs—and that
people did not know how
to capitalize on their pets’
natural instincts to decrease
destructive behavior,” said
Kruzan, noting that she
works with all breeds and
animals from puppies to
older dogs. Her human
clients range from children
to seniors and include those
who are new to having a
dog in the home as well as
those who have had canine
companions most of their
lives.
The need for social
distancing has prompted
Kruzan to temporarily
switch from traditional
dog training classes to
an online format. “This
is not the ideal way to do
dog training. A traditional
class is closer to the real
world. The behaviors dogs
learn aren’t just for times
when the person and dog
are alone together. The
dog will need to exhibit
these behaviors with others
around, so it’s best that they
learn in that environment,”
she explained. “Also, dogs
need to learn how to be
around people and dogs that
aren’t part of their family.”
Kruzan added that puppies
often learn expected
behaviors from older dogs.
She said that online
classes, which she now
teaches through the Decatur
Recreation Center, must
be much smaller than in-
person classes normally are.
“I keep the online classes to
about four participants. In a
normal class, when I focus
on one dog, other dogs can
watch and learn; but in an
online class many will just
be waiting,” Kruzan said.
She explained that she has
always been willing to give
over-the-phone counsel.
“My typical process is
to listen deeply to a new
customer’s concerns and
challenges in working with
their dogs. If possible,
I respond in the first
conversation with practical,
over-the phone advice on
critical issues and follow
up with a short plan and
quote.”
Kruzan said she
realizes that dogs and their
human families are having
an especially challenging
time dining the pandemic
and she wants to do what
she can to keep them
together and to keep the
relationship as pleasant as
possible, “In these crazy
times, I decided to offer free
dog training via phone or
video call to support all new
dog owners and foster folks.
Folks have been calling me
with basic dog training and
behavior questions and I am
happy to help,” she said.
CITY OF DORAVILLE
CALL FOR SPECIAL ELECTION
Notice is hereby given that, in accordance
with O.C.G.A. § 21-2-540, a special election
shall be held in the City of Doraville to fill
the vacancy in the office of City Council
Member - District 1, caused by the
resignation of Robert Patrick. The special
election will be held on Tuesday, November
3, 2020. The special election will take place
at Doraville City Hall, 3725 Park Avenue,
Doraville, Georgia 30340 from 7:00 a.m. to
7:00 p.m.
Qualifying for the special election shall
be held at Doraville City Hall, 3725 Park
Avenue, beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Monday,
August 17, 2020, and ending 4:30 p.m.
on Wednesday, August 19, 2020. The
qualifying fee shall be $432.00, which is
3% of the current annual salary pursuant to
O.C.G.A. § 21-2-131 (a)(1)(A).
This the 30th day of July, 2020.
Allison Tarpley, City Clerk
Municipal Election Superintendent