The People’s Pup – Adventures and Training

5.0 Stars,40 Reviews

156 Wichita Pl, Akron, OH 44313

Service area: Serves Akron, OH, and surrounding areas within the local region, including nearby towns and neighborhoods.

Service Overview

Types of Dog Training

Behavior Modification
Family Dog

Specialty Focus Areas

Leash Pulling
Reactivity / Aggression
Separation Anxiety
Biting / Nipping
Resource Guarding
Fearfulness
Recall

Training Formats Offered

Private Lessons
In-Home
Group Classes
Video Calls

Program Formats

One-Time Consultation
Sessions Package
Ongoing Weekly

Types of Dogs

Herding
Sporting
Working
Terriers
Doodles

Age of Dogs Trained

Puppy (<1 year)
Adolescent (1-2 years)
Adult (2-8 years)
Senior (8+ years)

Dog Training Methodology

Methods:

✓ Positive Reinforcement Only

Equipment:

✓ Clickers
✓ Food Rewards
✓ Harnesses

Training begins with an assessment to tailor a plan for each dog’s needs. Private training starts in the home to build foundational skills before progressing to outdoor settings. Training walks focus on managing reactivity and leash pulling through structured, positive reinforcement techniques, with owners invited to observe and eventually take over. Dog adventures include solo and group outdoor excursions with recall and socialization training. Cat training is offered via Zoom or in-person. All programs include follow-up resources and are adaptable based on progress.

Pricing & Policies

Pricing Summary

Private training: $125 for a 1-hour lesson, $350 for a 3-pack. Zoom lessons: $75 for 45 minutes. Training walks: $50 for 30 minutes, $70 for 45 minutes. Enrichment walks: $35 for 30 minutes. $5 extra per additional dog. Discounts available upon request.

Testimonials

We hired Teresa to help train our five year old Heeler mix before our son was born as he struggled around children. Teresa was incredibly thorough and gave us practical and easy to execute daily training regiments to help us comfort and control our dog with a baby nearby. He has done so well with the new baby as a result, and I can’t thank Teresa enough for that needed help. I didn’t even realize this specific level of training was possible for this use case until Teresa stepped in to help. Thank you!!!!
– Client

The People’s Pup has truly changed our lives for the better! I cannot recommend them enough, and I do in fact recommend them to every dog owner I know. I am the lucky owner of a very sweet, very high energy, and very dog-reactive 6-year-old pup named Lola. Her issues with other dogs were the aftermath of a dog attack, and her anxiety became so severe that it was hard to even take her on short walks around the block. Prior to the attack, walking had been such a great outlet for us both and I was desperate for help. I tried a variety of training options that were unsuccessful before finding the People’s Pup and now I can’t imagine where we would be without them. Through private training and training walks with the People’s Pup, Lola and I both became more confidant on our walks. I loved how much positive reinforcement was emphasized in training and how effective it was. While Lola still has a hard time socializing, she now knows to look to me for reassurance when we pass other dogs instead of reacting. If she is ever caught off guard and does react, it is manageable to calm her and refocus in a short period of time. Going from a dog that would lunge, bark, growl, and try to break free from her leash incessantly, this is SUCH an immense improvement that I really wasn’t sure would be possible. It finally felt like I had my dog back. After our original trainer moved away, we took a break from the People’s Pup until I went back to working in person. Lola now gets private walks with Nick while I am at work, and he is the absolute BEST! Not only do I get daily updates of her walks with the most incredible photos, shown below, but I know how much Lola adores him and that means everything to me. I’ve had the fortune of being home occasionally when Nick comes for Lola and she literally cries with excitement upon his arrival. He takes such great care of her and the comfort that I get from knowing this means the world. Every one of my experiences with the People’s Pup over the better part of 3 years has been 5 stars, 10/10, 100% fantastic. Lola and I are SO grateful!
– Client

I love the People’s Pup! Teresa does training walks with my two reactive dogs every week and I have seen them grow more confident and comfortable on the leash over the course of the last 4 years. My dogs love their walks so much that they know the sound of Teresa’s car locking. Teresa is a wealth of knowledge and is deeply committed to the animals she works with. I trust her implicitly with my pups. I have also had other members of the people’s pup help with dog sitting and they have been caring and thorough despite my challenging, needy dogs! It’s always great to know my pups are in good hands.
– Client

About the Trainer

The People’s Pup is a trainer-led, rewards-based dog and cat behavior training business serving Akron, OH, and surrounding areas. They specialize in positive reinforcement methods to help dogs with behavioral issues—such as leash reactivity, resource guarding, and fearfulness—become confident, well-behaved companions ready for adventures. Services include private in-home training, training walks, dog adventures (group and private outdoor excursions), pet sitting, and cat behavior training. Their approach is science-based and fear-free, with a focus on building everyday life skills that allow dogs to enjoy walks, social interactions, and family life without stress. They also offer Zoom consultations for cat training and emphasize accessibility with affordable pricing and discount options available upon request.

Their lead trainer, Teresa Spittler, is CPDT-KA certified with over 20 years of professional animal experience and has trained dogs in diverse settings including search and rescue, humane societies, and dog hiking tours. The team also includes other trained professionals like Nick, who provides training walks and pet sitting. They serve dogs of all ages and sizes, including reactive, high-energy, and multi-dog households, and extend their services to cats for integration, scratching, carrier training, and nail trimming.

The business is fully insured through Pet Sitters Associates and prioritizes client education by providing emailed training plans and resources after each session to ensure long-term success.

Accomplishments

Teresa Spittler is CPDT-KA certified and has over 20 years of professional animal experience. She completed a comprehensive dog training course in Austin, trained at Dog School Austin, volunteered with a Search and Rescue team earning SAR Tech II certification, and worked as a contract trainer for Oregon Humane Society. She has successfully trained reactive dogs, puppies, and cats in diverse environments including urban and wilderness settings.

How to Get Started!

Prospective clients must complete the New Client Form to initiate the process. After submission, a consultation is scheduled to assess the dog’s behavior, discuss goals, and determine the appropriate service (private training, training walks, or dog adventures). For cats, consultations may be conducted via Zoom.

Contact

21+ Years Experience
Insured
Free Consultation

Availability

Weekdays
Weekends
Morning
Afternoon
Evening

Hours

Monday: 10am-6pm
Tuesday: 10am-6pm
Wednesday: 10am-6pm
Thursday: 10am-6pm
Friday: 10am-6pm
Saturday: 12-4pm
Sunday: 11am-4pm

Certifications

CPDT-KA

Associations

Accredited

Languages

English

Other Services Offered

Dog walker
Pet sitter

Location