About Real Dog and Drake Theroux…
My career with dogs began in 2010 when I left the Architecture industry to pursue my childhood dream of playing with dogs for a living, and started a dog walking business called Real Dog Adventures. Upon doing so, I was immediately confronted with the reality that, in order to succeed in my goal of safely and competently walking large groups of dogs off leash in the hills and forests of California, I would need to become a serious dog trainer.
My first client had a Dalmatian/Pit mix named Pete who was sweet as pie with all people of all ages, but was VERY aggressive towards dogs he did not already know, and at that point in his life, he only knew one dog, his English Yellow Labrador housemate Trixie. Increasing Pete’s circle of friends and curing his aggression became my mission.
Along the way it became abundantly clear that
Pete was hardly the only dog who needed my help. In fact, every single dog I ever worked with was in need of some level of tra
ining and behavioral rehabilitation. My hiking packs developed into group therapy sessions for dogs with all sorts of issues, ranging from fear, to anxiety, to defiance, to resource guarding, to aggression. Over the past 12 years, I’ve had the privilege of getting to work in depth with hundreds of dogs, of all breeds, shapes, ages, and sizes, exhibiting every behavioral problem under the sun.
To aide in and complement my ever growing understanding of dogs and their behavior, I poured over countless books, videos, and articles, and consulted with other dog walkers, veterinarians, groomers, and trainers, seeking to learn from the experience and wisdom of as many people as possible. This included a priceless two years spent apprenticing with a local animal behaviorist and aggression specialist. Rather unsurprisingly, I found that there are many different approaches to training dogs, and that each had it’s varied merits. I knew that I would be doing my clients and their dogs a disservice by confining myself to any one training style, so I instead sought to combine the most practical and effective methods from each into my own hybrid approach. Additionally, I worked in my understanding of human behavior acquired from my study of economics (which, believe it or not, also applies to dogs), as well as the finely honed system design skills I developed while working as an Architectural Designer.
My mission is to help people with their dogs, by teaching them what I know about dogs, and how to productively interact with dogs, so that we may help them live more harmoniously with us humans. Living with dogs comes with many truly wonderful benefits, but it also comes with challenges that can become very frustrating or even dangerous. All of these challenges can be overcome. Whatever problem you and your dog may be facing, call me, so that we may work together to solve it. Every problem has a solution.
Testimonials…
“So grateful for Drake as a trainer and walker!!! He's got a reputation - He's the guy that OTHER walkers/trainers refer clients to when they don't know how to handle a dog they're working with - including mine!
Drake was referred to me by another dog walker who couldn't handle Tia. I first called Drake to do a training session and told him all the things I was worried about - distracted around other dogs, lunging towards other dogs, etc. The first training place he picked was Lake Merritt on a weekend where there are TONS of dogs. Before this, I always walked across the street when I saw other dogs. By the end of a little over an hour, Tia was lying down just casually, letting other dogs pass by.
I tried many group sessions with other trainers prior to this but still never felt confident enough to practice with Tia in such a busy setting. A lot of other trainers would give tips that sometimes seemed more appropriate for a small/medium dog (Tia is 60 lbs, I'm 110lbs - "no pull" harnesses and martingale collars were not cutting it). Drake was so much more relatable because he has so much experience with big dogs and small. I seriously give this guy so much credit for giving me the tools and confidence to work with Tia. Training now is actually fun and not daunting! I can now take Tia to trips on hikes, walks around the lake, breweries, etc. multiple times a week!
Tia now also gets to hang out with Drake on a weekly basis and even has her own "pack." Since I've been able to better train with her and her walks with Drake, there's been a HUGE change in her behavior for the better! Can't believe I used to think she would not be able to be around other dogs!” - Emily C.
“Drake is the best. We feel so lucky to have found him. Our dog Gordon is a bit of a handful but he doesn't seem to phase Drake at all. He has worked with Gordon and us in our home several times and we notice a real change in Gordon's behavior. As other people's reviews state, he knows his stuff. His flexibility, professionalism and attitude make him a delight to work with. And on top of all that, he's a hell of a nice guy.” - Cassie D.
“I couldn't be happier with Drake as our dog trainer, walker and friend. He has changed our crazy grey hound / lab mix into a loving companion who I can now take on walks. Drake has a special connection with our dog and we are so appreciative for his efforts!” - Lara W.
Some reviews from our customers…
“Love this leash! After 3 years of daily use, it still looks and functions as well as the day I got it. It's durable, easy to clean, and conveniently designed for on- and off-leash adventures with my pup. People have stopped me many times to compliment this leash. Great product!" - Cammie S.
"I wish I’d gotten this leash ages ago! It's very strong and sturdy, and I love that I can actually clean it off (instead of how gross cheap woven leashes get). I chose white for visibility in the dark and it turned out beautifully. It compliments my black lab mix's salt and pepper look as he ages :) tl;dr: LOVE THIS LEASH" - Alissa N.
"This leash is amazing! It is completely gorgeous. Gave it as a Christmas gift to a dog lover, and they told me it was the best leash they ever used. Durable, water proof. I'm going to buy the matching collar next." - Chloe C.
“This is my first biothane leash. I'm a dog trainer and I like to stick to the good old nylon flat least...atleast I did until I got my hands on this biothane leash!! Woah! Great feel, weight, color! So pleased! Eager to see how it holds up!” - Grace M.
"This leash is constructed with quality materials and is comfortable to use. I have a large dog and this leash is perfect for my walks with her. I highly recommend this product!" - Scott Z.
“Love our new leash. Has rained several times since we received it and has worked well. Would order from this vendor again and highly recommend him. Excellent customer service.” - Cynthia
"Great quality handmade products! We've had our leash from RDA for a couple years now and it's still just like new - sturdy and easy to grip. Just ordered a collar as well. Nice!" - Tom B.