Samantha Johnson

Meet Samantha

Samantha’s journey into dog training began during her Masters in Public Health, post college with full intention to go to medical school, when she decided to foster Lily, a rescue pit bull who has endured abuse and is found tied to a pole. Determined to rehabilitate Lily, Samantha immersed herself in understanding dog behavior and training techniques. Her first dog, Baloo, played a pivotal role in Lily’s recovery, while pack walks become essential for her socialization and healing. This transformational experience ignites Samantha’s passion to help more dogs, families, and rescues.

Building on her newfound dedication, Samantha gained invaluable hands-on experience as an assistant trainer at Cesar Millan’s Dog Psychology Center in Santa Clarita. She quickly rose to the position of lead trainer in weekend classes, focusing on socialization, reactivity and mastering the art of the walk. Grateful for the incredible trainers she met there and the wealth of knowledge she gained in just a couple years, Samantha recognizes differing training philosophies and feels inspired to learn from as many trainers as possible. She shadows esteemed trainers and attends specialized workshops, honing her skills and developing effective training methodologies, which ultimately leads to the establishment of Pack Life LA.

With a firm belief that a successful training regimen is rooted in a solid foundation of structure, boundaries, and appropriate physical and mental outlets, Samantha remains committed to empowering dogs and their owners.

Samantha is a balanced trainer but believes guidance and exercise over corrections. As a mother to a spirited nine-year-old, she understands patience, proper fulfillment and play are essential cornerstones in helping any being.

Samantha loves dogs, but her passion for teaching humans to be the best versions of themselves for their dogs runs deep. She recognizes that lasting change begins with educating the owner. With her extensive knowledge and experience, she cultivates a thriving global community of dog enthusiasts, both online and in person. Samantha feels profoundly grateful for the opportunity to work with clients, providing education, support, and guidance every step of the way as they embark on their training journeys.