Liz Palika
Liz Palika has been writing professionally since 1985, when she was first published in Dog Fancy magazine. Since then she has written more than 50 books and more than 1,000 magazine articles and columns. She has been published in Dog Fancy, Dog World, Cats, Cat Fancy, AKC Gazette and other pet publications, as well as Newsweek, The Saturday Evening Post and Women First.
Her books include The Kiss Guide to Raising a Puppy, The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook and All Dogs Need Some Training.
Palika's books have been awarded honors. Australian Shepherd: Champion of Versatility won Best Breed Book from the Dog Writers Association of America and Best Non-fiction Book from San Diego Book Writers. The Howell Book of Dogs won Best Reference Book from Dog Writers, Save That Dog! won best General Reference Book from Dog Writers and the First ASPCA Pet Overpopulation Answers Award from the ASPCA. Palika's work also has won awards from Cat Writers and Purina, as well as others from Dog Writers. Palika was honored with the San Diego Leadership Award, was a North County Woman of Merit, and in 2005, was awarded Dog Writers Distinguished Service Award.
Palika has been teaching dogs and their owners in North County San Diego for nearly 25 years. Her dog training is based on an understanding of dogs and what makes them tick. A former member of the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors and founding member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Palika also is a charter member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, and is a Certified Dog Trainer through this organization. She is a member of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants and an AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator #4182.
Working in Vista, Calif. (San Diego County), Palika trains more than 1,000 dogs and their families each year, and has put obedience titles on more than 20 dogs of her own. Palika also founded the Love On A Leash therapy dog program, which reaches out to patients of hospitals and residents of retirement centers.
Palika and her husband, Paul, also share a love of reptiles and amphibians, owning a collection of varied and rare species. They help with rescue and Palika also has written extensively on these creatures.
