Shannon Schaefer, the founder of Doggie Tech, has been working in canine behavior since 1979, when she completed her certification at The Cobb Center, a California training school that has since closed. According to her site, she entered the field after losing a Labrador in 1977, an experience that revealed limitations in conventional obedience methods and shaped her subsequent approach. Over the years, she has written books and produced instructional videos, co-created a therapy pet initiative within a regional hospital network, and spent a decade hosting a call-in radio program focused on dog behavior in San Diego.
Her stated philosophy sets her apart from many contemporary trainers. She describes rejecting both treat-based and correction-heavy techniques, arguing that these create dependency or erode trust. Instead, her materials emphasize calm, consistent leadership from owners, with the goal of building a dog's confidence through clarity rather than rewards or physical pressure. Whether this resonates depends on an owner's own preferences, but the position is explicitly stated throughout her content.
Doggie Tech serves the Valley Center area and surrounding North San Diego County communities through private lessons, along with phone and video consultations. The site also advertises same-day support for urgent behavior situations, what they call emergency help, with downloadable resources and immediate phone availability.
