MY STORY SHAPED MY PURPOSE.
YOUR TRANSFORMATION IS WHY I DO THIS
Ray Williams | Founder of Paws Unleashed Academy
Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, life at home wasn’t always stable. My dog Tyson was. He was a loving, social American Pit Bull, but people judged him before they ever got to know him. I saw a dog with potential, and I wanted everyone else to see it too.
That feeling never left me. Many owners who reach out feel the same way. They know the loving dog at home, but walks or visitors can bring out behavior that leaves them frustrated and unsure.
That’s why I started Paws Unleashed Academy: to help people understand their dogs and enjoy the relationship they hoped for when they brought them home.
I believe dogs need guidance, structure, and clear expectations. Owners need someone who listens, explains the why, and shows them how to move forward. Success looks simple: a calm walk, friends over for dinner, and a dog that looks to you for direction.
My promise: I’ll be honest about what needs work, explain what we’re doing and why, and coach you through the process. Your success matters to me long after training ends.
Are you ready to make a change? Progress takes commitment and consistency. If you’re ready to put in the work, I’m ready to help.
Military background
Military service.
Built on integrity.
By trade, I was a weapons guy. I spent more than a decade in the U.S. Air Force, and dogs weren’t part of the job description. But somewhere along the way, I found my love for them again.
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While serving, I helped military dogs with obedience, scent work, and protection training. Everywhere I was stationed, across the country and overseas, I gravitated toward dogs. Pets or working dogs, I always found my way back to them. There was something about working with dogs that I loved too much to ignore. So while I was still in uniform, I started my business and grew it from there.​
Over the years, I’ve helped hundreds of families build better relationships with their dogs. Many came to me after being turned away elsewhere because of aggression or a bite history. Together, we built a better life for those dogs and the people who love them.
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The military teaches one word over and over: integrity. Doing what’s right when no one is watching. That’s the standard I hold myself to with every dog in my care, whether you’re there to see it or not.
NARA Ring Sport
Experience tested
in competition.
I have competed as a handler in NARA Ring Sport and earned titles with multiple dogs. Preparing for a trial puts communication, timing, consistency, and teamwork to the test.
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That experience raises the standard I bring to training. We build foundations, practice progressively, and evaluate what your dog can do. For your family, the focus is practical: more dependable skills and greater confidence together.
One system
What this means for you.
01
Clarity
The dog needs to understand what is being asked and the owner needs a clear way to communicate it.
02
Structure
Clear routines, boundaries, and expectations help make training easier to understand and maintain.
03
Consistency
Skills become useful when the same standards continue across environments and everyday situations.
04
Owner Education
Owners need to understand how to reinforce the training so progress does not depend on the trainer being present.
Nationally certified decoy
A trained eye.
Purposeful practice.
As a nationally certified decoy in NARA Ring Sport, I also work from the other side of the training picture. Decoy work calls for observation, timing, and purposeful practice. It adds another perspective to my experience as a handler and trainer.
Your dog’s goals may be calmer walks or better manners at home. I bring that same attention to the details and coach you to recognize, reinforce, and maintain progress.
Built in Tampa Bay
Training for life in Tampa Bay
Based in Apollo Beach, Florida, we serve dog owners throughout the Tampa Bay area. Program availability depends on location: Day Training is based in Apollo Beach, and Private Lessons are offered in Apollo Beach and Riverview.
Every recommendation keeps the individual dog and family at the center, with owner coaching to help you maintain progress at home.
COMMUNICATION â– STRUCTURE â– CONSISTENCY â– OWNER FOLLOW THROUGH
Next step
Ready to talk about your dog?
Tell us what is happening, what you have already tried, and what you want life with your dog to look like. Request a free consultation and we’ll help you choose the training path that makes the most sense. Your consultation is free, with no obligation to enroll.