Progress 4 Paws

Progress 4 Paws offers customized training programs starting with an initial consultation to assess the dog’s history and goals. Clients can choose from private in-home sessions, a 6-session package for ongoing progress, or an intensive 4-day-per-week program. Virtual training and self-paced online courses are also available. Programs focus on basic obedience, behavior modification, puppy socialization, leash manners, tricks, and competition skills, with personalized plans tailored to each dog’s breed, temperament, and needs.

Pricing Summary

Initial consultation is a 90-minute in-home session. Private sessions are 45–60 minutes, with a 6-session package available. Virtual training is offered via Zoom in 40-minute sessions. Accelerated training includes 4 in-home sessions per week. Online courses are available through HappyTails University.

Progress 4 Paws is a dog training business owned by Alison Schaefer, a certified professional dog trainer based in Largo, FL. She offers positive reinforcement-based training services tailored to individual dogs and their owners, focusing on building strong, trusting relationships through compassionate, science-backed methods. Alison provides in-home private sessions and online training through HappyTails University, helping dogs of all ages and breeds learn obedience, behavior modification, and fun tricks. Her approach emphasizes understanding canine behavior, breed-specific motivations, and creating customized plans that empower owners to continue training at home. Alison is also an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog evaluator, and actively participates in dog sports like agility, rally obedience, and barn hunt with her own dogs, bringing real-world expertise to her training programs.

She serves clients throughout Pinellas County, FL, including Largo, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, and surrounding areas, making her services accessible to local pet owners seeking expert, in-home guidance. Her clients consistently praise her patience, knowledge, and ability to transform anxious, reactive, or stubborn dogs into confident, well-behaved companions.

In addition to training, Alison offers specialized programs for puppies, senior dogs, and dogs with behavioral challenges, and she provides detailed session notes and ongoing support to ensure long-term success.

Accomplishments

Alison Schaefer is a CPDT-KA and ABCDT-certified dog trainer, a certified Canine Strength and Conditioning Coach (CSCC) through North Carolina State University, and an AKC Canine Good Citizen and Trick Dog evaluator. She is a member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT), holds a bachelor’s degree in integrative biology, and has mentored dog trainers for Animal Behavior College. She actively competes in dog sports including agility, rally obedience, barn hunt, and Fast CAT with her own dogs.

How to Get Started!

Client engagement begins with a free initial consultation, a 90-minute in-home session where the trainer gathers the dog’s history, identifies goals, and creates a customized training plan. Clients can book this consultation directly through the website’s contact page.