Trainer Spotlight: Alex Keeler – Growing a Dog Training Business Through Rover

By: The Rover Training Staff

Sometimes the best career path begins by realizing what you don’t want to do.

After spending years working in security, Alex knew he was ready for a change. His love of dogs led him to Animal Behavior College (ABC), where the flexibility of the program allowed him to continue working full-time while building the skills needed for a new career. “The flexibility of it was really important,” Alex said. “Being able to go at my own pace and knowing that, near the end, I was actually going to be able to work with another trainer.”

That hands-on experience proved invaluable. While ABC provided a strong foundation in learning theory and training principles, Alex found that working directly with dogs and clients helped bring those lessons to life.

One lesson from ABC continues to shape his work today: relationship building. “The biggest thing ABC taught me was building the proper relationship with your dog,” he said. “Just knowing that there’s more involved in connecting.”

Today, Alex has been training professionally for more than seven years and runs his own dog training business. Along the way, he started offering his training services on Rover as another way to connect with clients and supplement his business.

What appeals most to him about Rover is the opportunity for trainers, especially newer trainers, to focus on developing their skills while Rover handles much of the administrative side of running a business.

“I think going in with an open mind is important,” Alex said. “Let Rover take care of the things that they take care of, and then you concentrate on building your skills as a trainer.”

For new ABC graduates considering Rover Training, Alex sees the platform as an opportunity to gain experience, work with clients, and continue growing professionally.

As he puts it, Rover can help trainers spend less time worrying about the business side of things and more time doing what they came into the field to do: helping dogs and the people who love them.

Alex’s experience is a reminder that education is just the beginning. With a solid foundation from ABC and opportunities to gain real-world experience through platforms like Rover, trainers can continue building their skills, confidence, and careers, one dog at a time.

Interested in joining Rover as a trainer?

ABC graduates are eligible to apply! Learn more and get started here: Sign Up Now!