He was educated at Charles Cook's Private School and Christ's College.

His father left the partnership after two years but bought an interest in the company for his son.

Before taking over the ownership and management of Aulsebrooks Bakery, McDougall worked as a junior clerk in the Colonial Bank of New Zealand and also managed Lane's Flour Mill, on Mill Island in the Avon.

[1] McDougall remained governing director of the company for the rest of his life.

He was also a director of the Kaiapoi Woollen Manufacturing Company Ltd., and the Mutual Benefit Building Society.