KISS Guide to Raising a Puppy (Keep It Simple Series) [Paperback]

Liz Palika (Author)

Book Description

Series: Keep It Simple Series

The only full-color, photographic, truly accessible how-to guides on the market. The Keep It Simple Series has set a new standard in how-to publishing. The truly accessible guides inspire and instruct readers and deliver all the information one needs to know about the featured subject. Expertly written with helpful diagrams, full-color photographs and illustrations, these books give readers even more reasons to K I S S inexperience goodbye.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Liz Palika has been teaching dog obedience classes for more than 20 years. A member of the Dog Writers Association of America, Liz is a prolific writer whose books have won several awards.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT; 1st edition (November 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789489473
• ISBN-13: 978-0789489470
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #347,623 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Liz Palika has been writing professionally since 1985 when she was first published in DOG FANCY magazine. Since then she has written more than 65 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 PUPPY LOVE and THE KISS GUIDE TO RAISING A PUPPY; both of which are favorites with new puppy owners. THE ULTIMATE DOG TREAT COOKBOOK received rave reviews in magazines and newspapers all over the country, including USA TODAY. ALL DOGS NEED SOME TRAINING was listed by PET LIFE MAGAZINE as one of the ten best training books available to dog owners.

Liz's books have been awarded many honors. THE HOWELL BOOK OF DOGS was awarded Best Reference Book by the Dog Writers Association of America and was nominated as Best Nonfiction Book by San Diego Book Awards. AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD: CHAMPION OF VERSATILITY won Best Breed Book from Dog Writers Association of America and Best Nonfiction Book from San Diego Book Writers. SAVE THAT DOG! won best General Reference Book from Dog Writers and the First ASPCA Pet Overpopulation Answers Award from the ASPCA. Liz's work has also won awards from Cat Writers and Purina, as well as others from Dog Writers. Liz 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.

Liz has an international platform to connect with her readers. Not only is her podcast, "It's a Doggy Dog World" on PetLifeRadio.com the #1 most downloaded show on that site, but she is also a blogger for the PetConnection.com.

Liz has been teaching dogs and their owners in North County San Diego for almost 25 years. Her dog training is based on an understanding of dogs and what makes them tick. Liz is a Certified Dog Trainer (CDT)and a Certified Behavioral Consultant. She is an AKC CGC (Canine Good Citizen) Evaluator #4182.

Working in Vista, California (San Diego County), Liz is the owner of Kindred Spirits Dog Training and sees more than a thousand dogs and their owners every year. Liz and her dogs, over the years have participated and trained in many dog sports, including agility, carting, conformation, herding, obedience, search and rescue, therapy dog work, and more.

Liz and her husband Paul share their home with three Australian Shepherds.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable Puppies, October 23, 2003

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: KISS Guide to Raising a Puppy (Keep It Simple Series) (Paperback)

If you are thinking about adopting a new puppy, this is an excellent resource. If you walk past a pet store and see a cute puppy, you might want to read this book first. There are excellent ideas like bringing a puppy home on a day when you will be home the next day or maybe for the weekend.

Puppy proofing a house is also a great idea. Especially since "chewing on everything" is an expression of basic canine hunting instincts. Do you have a baby gate? You might want to buy one. There are grooming supplies, cleaning supplies and toys to think about. I had never considered the danger of electric cords. You mean they chew on those too? Yikes.

This book was truly enlightening. For example, you should not buy a puppy that is not at least 9 weeks old because there is a "critical fear" period in which puppies who are frightened for any reason will become a lifelong fear. Even a car ride or a trip to the Vet could make them afraid of Vet visits and car rides.

The Main Sections:

So You Want a Puppy - Are you ready for a new puppy? How to decide on the type of dog you want to own. There are more than 400 dog breeds to choose from. There is also information on the types of breeds that require more frequent grooming. Do you want an active breed like a Shih Tzu or a laid-back breed like a Golden Retriever.

Bringing Home Your New Best Friend - All the essentials. What you should do before bringing a new puppy home and how to set household rules, prepare for housetraining and the essential first 24 hours. Do you have any poisonous plants in your yard? Is your fence secure enough to prevent escapes? How do you housetrain? Some great ideas about "not using newspapers" because apparently this is a bad idea in the long run!

Your Puppy's Health - Everything from the first visit to the vet to what your puppy should eat. Also helpful information for emergencies. There is a lot to think about in this chapter including vaccinations, spaying and neutering.

How to Train Your Puppy - Interesting tips on how to be your puppy's teacher. How you can use training to avoid trouble. If you don't want your puppy to chew on his leash, you can simply dip it in vinegar. There are simple ways to show your puppy you are the leader of the pack. Liz Palika also gives "Ten Simple Principles for Successful Training." You start with the basics and then work your way into "boundary training."

More to Do... and Learn - What are the beset games and toys? Also a section on "Why Does My Puppy do That?" You will find out some creative ways to get a puppy to stop barking.

If you are trying to decide between owning a cat or a dog, this book will defiantly help you see if you are a "cat OR dog" person. You might be both.

KISS books have so many great extras and pictures. You will find Trivia, definitions and website addresses. The pictures in this KISS book are especially cute.

A must-read for anyone thinking about adopting a new puppy.

~The Rebecca Review

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST Puppy Resource, July 4, 2004

By 

Don Blohowiak "Lead Well® Institute" (Charlottesville, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Guide to Raising a Puppy (Kiss) (Paperback)

This is an EXCEPTIONAL resource that stacks up to a mountain of other books, videos, and friendly advice from just about everyone.

Before buying this book (on impulse during a pre-adoption "scouting mission" for equipment at a local pet store), I'd already acquired a half-dozen dog books, and as many videos (along with umpteen recordings of dog training shows on Animal Planet). I was not feeling the slightest need for another resource on how to raise our new dog. Until this very thorough work caught my eye.

This book is superbly clear, well organized, and visually entertaining. It trumps everything else in my substantial library of resources. (Okay, okay. Yes, I was afraid I'd screw up the little wonder's life -- and mine in the process.)

Ms. Palika addresses virtually every conceivable issue clearly and directly. Her well-crafted advice is presented in a very appealing, inviting format that has become the publisher's trademark.

The book's Table of Contents and index make quickly accessing vital information fast and easy in this well-structured handbook. Not only will you easily find what you're looking for, you'll get specific, understandable, definitive guidance when you land there.

Whether you are about to adopt a puppy, or already brought one into your life, you need competent guidance. If you could only buy one book on raising your puppy -- easily and happily -- into a successful lifetime companion, without question this is the ONE.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars puppy readiness 101, March 18, 2003

By 

liat2768 "liat2768" (dallas) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: KISS Guide to Raising a Puppy (Keep It Simple Series) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for someone thinking of bringing a puppy into the home. A realistic and helpful guide this is different from the Idiot's and Dummmies series in that it is much easier to leaf through. The color coded sections make it easy to flip to a section you need and the pictures are awsome (as with any dk book!) Liz Palika's advice and knowledge are excellent and I know I feel better armed for puppy rearing with this book on my shelf.