FirstBarkBri from PLH is a dog AND people expert. She is able to explain her methods in a way that is easy to follow and implement. The holiday e-book she created is such a useful tool for all seasons. I highly recommend PLH if you're struggling with your dog or if you just need some support with your dog.
Pack Leader Help
Alexandria, Virginia
About Pack Leader Help
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 consultation
Program details
Structured training to change unwanted behaviors at the root, including aggression, fear, and reactivity.
- Obedience training
- Puppy training
Program details
Foundational training for puppies including structure, socialization, and early behavior development.
- Socialization
Behavior support
- Aggression training
Program details
Dogs showing aggression toward people or other dogs. Behavior modification training in Alexandria VA.
- Reactivity training
Program details
For dogs that bark, lunge, or overreact on leash. Serving Alexandria VA and surrounding areas.
- Resource guarding
- Separation anxiety
Program details
Support for dogs struggling with being alone, including structured plans to reduce stress and destructive behavior.
How training happens
- Board and train
- Group classes
Program details
Work on your dog's reactivity with dog group class training in Alexandria, VA.
- In-home training
Program details
Private sessions in your home focused on real world behavior issues and structure in Alexandria, VA.
- Online or virtual training Customer-reported
- Private training
Dog age
- Puppies
Support between sessions
- Homework and practice Customer-reported
Other listed services
View 2 additional details
- Dog Behaviorist
Program 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 GoogleWhat 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.
Community answer · Pack Leader Help · 2025-09-21
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.
Community answer · Pack Leader Help · 2025-09-21
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.
Community answer · Pack Leader Help · 2019-09-21
Public community answers. Authors are not verified as business representatives; details may have changed.
Customer reviews
Google listing4.9
135 Google reviews
Mentioned in reviews
- Responsive 36
- Reactive dog training 22
- Group classes 12
- Leash reactivity 7
- Anxious dog 4
- Communication with dog 4
All 10 topics
- Helpful techniques 4
- Tailored training 4
- Virtual sessions 4
- Support for dog owners 3
Google review topics, not confirmed services.
Where do I begin? Brianna with Pack Leader Help has been an extremely crucial component to getting my dog on a good page. I struggled with my pup for a long time. He is an intense breed, with an intense personality, and it felt like everything I tried to do to make changes, made …Read full reviewClose full review
Where do I begin? Brianna with Pack Leader Help has been an extremely crucial component to getting my dog on a good page. I struggled with my pup for a long time. He is an intense breed, with an intense personality, and it felt like everything I tried to do to make changes, made very little impact. After much trial and error, I realized balanced methods were what I believed in, and the only shot that I had at rehabilitating my dog. Although, I couldn’t help but feel like a lot of balanced trainers veered a little too much on the side of stopping the negative behavior, as opposed to reshaping it; and I knew my dog needed something different. When I came across Pack Leader Help’s Instagram, I knew it’s exactly what I was looking for, and what my dog needed. Brianna has the absolute perfect blend of giving clear and concise direction, and opening up communication with your dog, all while prioritizing their emotions and safety first. She focuses on changing how dogs feel about their triggers, and therefore, how people feel about their dogs and their emotional states. She understands that dog training is nuanced, and that all humans and dogs are different, with varying training needs. Brianna tells it like it is, with a lot of kindness, and a little bit of a sense of humor. She also really helps you to analyze your role in your dog’s behavior, and how to work together as a team to create change and progress. Her methods are fair, compassionate, and effective. And without her, I don’t know where my dog and I would be right now!
Highly recommend Brianna! She is very thorough and an excellent communicator. It’s very apparent she has impressive knowledge of how dogs interact with their families and she’s always doing her part to learn more. I appreciated her great patience and honesty throughout our training. Would absolutely suggest Brianna to fellow dog owners!
I have never personally met Brianna, but have contacted her for questions and advice many times through instagram. She is always so sweet and knowledgeable and her advice has been so helpful! I definitely wish to meet her in person one day and hopefully shadow her soon!
I highly recommend PLH. Brianna, specifically, has been incredibly instrumental in the growth of my rescue pup and in our ability to gain and maintain a peaceful environment with multiple pets. Our rescue pup was challenging, Brianna taught me how to use specific tools, geared…Read full reviewClose full review
I highly recommend PLH. Brianna, specifically, has been incredibly instrumental in the growth of my rescue pup and in our ability to gain and maintain a peaceful environment with multiple pets. Our rescue pup was challenging, Brianna taught me how to use specific tools, geared toward my dogs behaviors, to help my pup become a more obedient and enjoyable girl. You must adhere to the lessons in order to achieve the effect you desire, Brianna will teach you how. She remains available for questions, she accepts you into her community which meets several times a month for group sessions. PLH is the best, Brianna is the best, you won’t be disappointed. A valuable resource for those who want their pets to have a safe and happy life. Many thanks!
Original customer experiences from the collected Google data. Ratings without comments follow written reviews.