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.
5/5PLH and Brianna are amazing and the best in Alexandria. So many other local trainers were non-communicative, required you to commit to extensive basics courses or major training packages before they would offer any tailored help, or spent all the time lecturing on their personal …Read full reviewClose full review
PLH and Brianna are amazing and the best in Alexandria. So many other local trainers were non-communicative, required you to commit to extensive basics courses or major training packages before they would offer any tailored help, or spent all the time lecturing on their personal philosophies instead of listening. Brianna meets you and your dog where you are, identifies your goals, and offers practical, useful techniques that don’t require you to spend every waking hour dog training. She made a huge difference for us with our fence and leash reactive dog!
E
Erin Brunner Lorenzetti
5/5We just completed our third session with Brianna, and she is the BEST! We came to Pack Leader Help after a TERRIBLE training experience which made our dog's aggression worse, and by the second session our dog was able to relax with her in the house and we're learning tools to hel…Read full reviewClose full review
We just completed our third session with Brianna, and she is the BEST! We came to Pack Leader Help after a TERRIBLE training experience which made our dog's aggression worse, and by the second session our dog was able to relax with her in the house and we're learning tools to help fix the damage that was done. We feel confident she's guiding us on a path to having a non-reactive dog and can't wait to continue our sessions with her!
J
Joanne Connors
5/5
Brianna is the best dog trainer. Tried other trainers but they just plied my dog with treats. Brianna addresses the underlying reactive issues. I highly recommend her.
M
Monica Cook
5/5We have worked with PLH since bringing Benny home. They have excellent, free, resources and even before you start sessions. I felt like I had a head start. The support we have received from Brianna and team is beyond amazing. She has given me the confidence to lead my pup and und…Read full reviewClose full review
We have worked with PLH since bringing Benny home. They have excellent, free, resources and even before you start sessions. I felt like I had a head start. The support we have received from Brianna and team is beyond amazing. She has given me the confidence to lead my pup and understand him from a behavioral level, which has truly made a difference in our human-dog relationship. PLH is always working to improve and use the the best methods for working with pups. Three years later, PLH is still part of our pack!
L
Lareina Guenzel
5/5
Soooo good for me and my pup. Looking forward to our next training
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.
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