About Drake Theroux, Founder of Real Dog Academy:
My career with dogs began in 2010 when I left the Architecture industry 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 walk large groups of dogs off leash in the hills and forests of California, I would need to become a dog trainer.
My first client had a Dalmatian/Pit mix named Pete who 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.
Several months into building my business and my dog training skills, I began an informal apprenticeship with a local animal behaviorist and aggression specialist. I spent two years assisting and learning in his rehabilitation kennel and with his group classes. During this apprenticeship, I learned the ins and outs of canine psychology and was exposed to every type of dog with every type of behavioral problem under the sun. After a couple years of honing my skills and knowledge with my mentor, I focused full time on my own dog walking, training, and boarding business.