DOG TRAINING CLASSES

ABOUT US

SPECIAL EVENTS

LOCATION:
3343 E. Vista Way, in Vista CA, between Gopher Canyon and Highway 76

PHONE:
760-630-4824

To enroll in classes, email: lizpalika@gmail.com

Meet the Kindred Spirits Dog Trainers

Liz Palika has been teaching dogs and their owners in San Diego's North County for over 25 years. Her training is based on an understanding of dogs and what makes them ‘tick.’ There is no funny stuff here but lots of common sense.

With her business partners Petra Burke and Kate Abbott, Kindred Spirits Dog Training in Vista, CA has more than 700 dogs per year in their dog training program. Liz teaches group classes and is available for behavioral consultations.

Liz is a charter member of the International Association of Canine Professionals, and is a Certified Dog Trainer (CDT) through this organization. She is also an AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator #4182, and a Certified Behavioral Consultant. She has been interviewed by USA TODAY, PARADE magazine, has been heard on numerous radio shows, including Steve Dale’s “Pet World” and Jon Patch’s weekly “Pet Talk” show. She has appeared on the San Diego KUSI news show and Drs Foster & Smith’s “Faithful Friends” show. “Good Morning, America” sent a film crew to interview her during the 2007 pet food recall debacle.

Liz Palika has been writing professionally since 1985 when she was first published in DOG FANCY magazine. Since then she has written more than sixty 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.

Liz’s books have been honored with several awards from Dog Writers Association of America, Cat Writers Association, ASPCA, Purina and San Diego Book Writers. Liz was honored by San Diego Channel 10’s Leadership Award; she was also a North County Woman of Merit. In Feb 2005, she was awarded a Distinguished Service award from Dog Writers Association of America.

Liz’s dog training book, ALL DOGS NEED SOME TRAINING was listed by Pet Life magazine as one of the ten best dog training books available to dog owners. Liz's newest puppy book, PUPPY LOVE, was released in April 2009 and has already garnered rave reviews. Her first children's book, ASPCA ANIMALS AT WORK was released in March 2009 and teachers in several schools are already asking for copies. THE ULTIMATE DOG TREAT COOKBOOK received rave reviews in magazines and newspapers all over the country, including USA TODAY. See all of Liz's books.

Petra Burke has been training for over 20 years. She teaches classes, has served as co-chair of the Pet Care Center at the San Diego County Fair and is also active in the therapy dog program. She does many school visits, teaching kids about dogs and working with a dog bite prevention program. She has also done private training for many years and has a special interest in training deaf, disabled, three-legged or blind dogs. Her 6-year-old Australian Shepherd, Kona, is totally blind but still does deomonstrations for the classes. Petra is also an AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator #28916.

Kate Abbott Kate has been with Petra and Liz for more than 5 years, and has been training dogs and their owners for many years through a security compan and as a veterinary technician. Kate does all of Kindred Spirits' private, one-on-one training, and teaches our puppy and trick-training classes.

Kate presently serves as President of the National Board of the Foundation for Pet Provided Therapy. She and Walter, her Cockapoo, also have representation in Hollywood, where Walter’s tricks have wowed those experienced trainers.

Debra Jensen is another skilled assistant. She is also an AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator, assists in basic and puppy classes, and has taught the CGC class. She is training two Australian Shepherds, Apache and Wiott.

Katie Silva has trained several dogs, including her present dogs, Sasha, a Rottweiler and Jasper and Lily, Jack Russell Terriers. Katie assists with our basic classes. Several of Katy's dog have served as therapy dogs

Connie Kelly is an AKC CGC Evaluator. She teaches the AKC STAR puppy classes with Kate, the CGC classes, and shares her home with three Australian Shepherds, Bell, Taco, and Peaches. Connie also serves as the president of the North County Chapter of Love On a Leash therapy group.

Dawn McMahon is also an AKC CGC evaluator. She works with the basic obedience classes and teaches the Continuing Education drop in classes on Thursday evenings. She is shown here with her her chocolate Lab, Sierra, and her Aussie, Razz.