Pack Leader Help is a dog behaviorist and training service based in Alexandria VA, serving Northern Virginia and the DMV area.
We specialize in reactive dogs, dog aggression, leash reactivity, and behavior modification for dogs with serious or persistent behavior issues. With over 15 years of experience, we work with owners to understand what is driving their dog’s behavior and how to create clear, reliable change through structured, real world training.
We offer private dog training, in home training, and behavior evaluations tailored to each dog and household.
Our goal is simple: help you live with a calmer, more manageable dog you can trust in real life.
Training & services
Training goals
Behavior consultationProgram details
Structured training to change unwanted behaviors at the root, including aggression, fear, and reactivity.
Obedience training
Puppy trainingProgram details
Foundational training for puppies including structure, socialization, and early behavior development.
Socialization
Behavior support
Aggression trainingProgram details
Dogs showing aggression toward people or other dogs. Behavior modification training in Alexandria VA.
Reactivity trainingProgram details
For dogs that bark, lunge, or overreact on leash. Serving Alexandria VA and surrounding areas.
Resource guarding
Separation anxietyProgram details
Support for dogs struggling with being alone, including structured plans to reduce stress and destructive behavior.
How training happens
Board and train
Group classesProgram details
Work on your dog's reactivity with dog group class training in Alexandria, VA.
In-home trainingProgram details
Private sessions in your home focused on real world behavior issues and structure in Alexandria, VA.
Online or virtual trainingCustomer-reported
Private training
Dog age
Puppies
Support between sessions
Homework and practiceCustomer-reported
Other listed services
View 2 additional details
Dog BehavioristProgram details
Behavior specialist for anxiety, reactivity, and aggression cases in Northern Virginia.
Dog Trainer Near Me
Confirm current programs and availability directly.
Questions & answers
From Google
What people have asked about this business.
How will behavioral training help my dog with reactivity?
Reactivity is a symptom, not the problem. Most training is focused on getting the dog to "heel" or doing obedience while the dog is highly aroused and stressed. We focus on building clear communication and a healthy rapport with the dog parent and more importantly, we address how the dog behaves at home where 90% of behavioral problems start and end. This is often the missing piece to training is not recognizing how all the small day to day interactions at home either make or break a dog's overall behavior. We create training plans that are realistic for both human and dog- not just cookie cutter.
Do you offer aggression dog or reactive dog training focused on behavior?
Yes, all of our training programs are focused on behavior and emotions first. Meaning, we are interested in resolving the root of behaviors like reactivity, aggression pulling etc. Most of the clients who come to PLH have already been through 1 or more failed training program because much of the training was focused on symptom management.
Can you train my dog to become my PTSD service animal?
Hi Harper,
Unfortunately, we do not train service animals we offer rehabilitation and training for dogs with behavioral issues and for puppies to create calm on command dogs.
5/5Brianna offered just the right opportunity and insight I needed! Through a socialization training session and group classes, it allowed me to learn a lot more about my dogs behavior, mindset, and body language. I greatly appreciate having the community, support, and space to work…Read full reviewClose full review
Brianna offered just the right opportunity and insight I needed! Through a socialization training session and group classes, it allowed me to learn a lot more about my dogs behavior, mindset, and body language. I greatly appreciate having the community, support, and space to work on our skills in a group environment. It helps build my confidence as a handler and owner to support my dog. Her insight helped guide me to find the right approaches for my dog and he’s made great improvements since. Brianna has been great resource and I’ve enjoyed being a part of the pack!
J
Jenny Hyde
5/5My doodle wasn’t properly socialized due to the pandemic (and we spoiled her more than we should have during quarantine/working from home ). As a result, she was an absolute nightmare to walk, and would lose her mind anytime we encountered another dog outside. Luckily, I discover…Read full reviewClose full review
My doodle wasn’t properly socialized due to the pandemic (and we spoiled her more than we should have during quarantine/working from home ). As a result, she was an absolute nightmare to walk, and would lose her mind anytime we encountered another dog outside. Luckily, I discovered Pack Leader Help. Brianna helped me understand the “why” behind my dog’s unruly behaviors, and provided good solid advice and training tips on how to correct them. I love that she focused on the root of the problem, not just a “command” that might help mask the problem (but ultimately would not get to the reason why the behaviors were occurring in the first place). She really opened my eyes to dog behavioral issues. I would highly recommend Pack Leader Help if you are struggling with your dog’s behavior! You won’t regret it!
D
David Huang
5/5I've followed Pack Leader Help for awhile before making an appointment to meet Brianna. She has a lot of great content and helpful information on her platforms, which is why we sought her help.
A year ago, my wife and I rescued a Shikoku Ken, who came over to the states from Jap…Read full reviewClose full review
I've followed Pack Leader Help for awhile before making an appointment to meet Brianna. She has a lot of great content and helpful information on her platforms, which is why we sought her help.
A year ago, my wife and I rescued a Shikoku Ken, who came over to the states from Japan and was given up. He has issues with reactivity with new people. Brianna not only helped us with training techniques, but helped us to understand the importance of structure in the household.
Pack Leader Help also has group sessions, which we've attended. This is a good opportunity for any type of dog, but great for reactive dogs to help socialize and work on leash walking skills with distractions around and other reactive dogs.
Highly recommend Brianna and Pack Leader Help!
E
Erin Spence
5/5We hired Brianna immediately after adopting a new dog. I was overwhelmed walking two dogs, who were both reactive, and needed help. After listening to all of her podcasts (highly recommend!) I realized we had set ZERO boundaries with our first rescue pup and that we needed to do …Read full reviewClose full review
We hired Brianna immediately after adopting a new dog. I was overwhelmed walking two dogs, who were both reactive, and needed help. After listening to all of her podcasts (highly recommend!) I realized we had set ZERO boundaries with our first rescue pup and that we needed to do better as we introduced our second to the family. We saw changes after the FIRST session with Brianna. The weekend reactivity classes are also amazing. Would recommend to everyone!!
S
Sally
5/5We love Julianne!! We've decided to seek help when our GSD became more reactive to everything. We did the board & train with Julianne and it was an amazing learning experience for both us and our dog. She's very patient, gave us very helpful techniques, helped us understand the r…Read full reviewClose full review
We love Julianne!! We've decided to seek help when our GSD became more reactive to everything. We did the board & train with Julianne and it was an amazing learning experience for both us and our dog. She's very patient, gave us very helpful techniques, helped us understand the root of the problems, and most importantly gave us the confidence to tackle the issues both in our house and outside.
Our dog is still a work in progress and we've got a long way to go, but I know we can always trust Julianne and Brianna to stick with us for the long run. :P I love how they genuinely want us to succeed and am so grateful for their support. I would 1000% recommend PLH to anyone. They're the best!!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.