The Dog Owner’s Academy Story: A New Vision for Dog Training in Charlotte, NC
The Training Gap That Started It All
When Turk Akbay opened his first dog training company, Off Leash Dog Training in Charlotte in 2008, the industry was almost entirely militaristic. Rigid obedience. Strict commands. Precision at the cost of personality. That approach produced disciplined dogs suited for law enforcement or competition, but it did almost nothing for the everyday family that just wanted to enjoy their dog and trust them in real life.
Turk saw the gap and built something different. Not a softer version of the same system. An entirely new methodology built around the actual relationship between a dog and the person who lives with them.
He called it Train As You Live™.
The Philosophy Behind Train As You Live™
The premise is simple: a dog that only performs in controlled, low-distraction environments isn’t truly trained. They’re managed. Real training means your dog listens and behaves in your actual life: on a busy Charlotte sidewalk, at a park with squirrels and kids and other dogs, at a brewery on a Saturday, in your house when guests come through the door.
Train As You Live™ also means training the owner, not just the dog. Understanding your dog’s body language, emotional state, and the communication that’s been happening all along is what separates a household that stays trained from one that reverts to old habits three weeks after the program ends.
That philosophy attracted attention fast. In November 2012, the Charlotte Business Journal ran a feature on the approach.
The Real-Life Results That Built Momentum
Turk’s first dog training company grew quickly, fueled by word-of-mouth, client results, and media recognition throughout the Charlotte area. Families were talking. Local media was paying attention. And more dog owners were looking for a training approach that felt practical, personal, and built for everyday life.
Carolina’s Dog Master
Turk spent two years as a regular guest on Carolina’s Dog Master, a regional television show, bringing the Train As You Live™ methodology to a wider Charlotte audience. It was one of the early signs that what he was building impacted people on a deeper level than other dog training methods.
The Business He Sold and the Method That Stayed
After selling Off Leash Dog Training, Turk officially retired. He wrote a book, gave a TED talk, traveled, and spent more time with his family. From the outside, life looked full. But something was missing.
Why Turk Returned to Dog Training in Charlotte
It turns out, Turk genuinely missed dog training. The families and meaningful connections. He missed the moment when a person finally understands their dog and a dog finally feels understood.
So when Turk returned to dog training in Charlotte, he came back with a clear purpose: to build a company that brought together everything he had learned, without compromise. The methodology. The #DogsWelcome community. The lifetime support. The real-world focus. And the belief that obedience should never come at the cost of a dog’s personality or spirit.
Dog Owner’s Academy is the result of nearly two decades of experience, thousands of dogs, every breed imaginable, and behavior challenges of every kind. Today, Turk is happily doing what he loves: teaching people, mentoring other trainers, and helping dogs and families live better together. He continues to share his real-world training advice through The Zen of Dog Ownership Podcast and helpful blog posts that make life with your dog easier.
Start With a Free In-Home Consultation
Three easy steps.
No commitment. No pushy sales pitches.
Just honest answers from trainers who’ve seen it all.
01
Choose a convenient time
Schedule your free consultation online, or call us if you’d rather talk through what’s going on with your dog first. Either way, getting started is quick and easy. No credit card required.
02
We meet you and your dog
03
Get a clear path forward
- Takes 60 seconds or less to book your free consult. No sales pressure.
- Relationship-based training for busy professionals and families.
- All frustrating behavior problems solved. Results guaranteed.