Product Description

You have a picture in your head. A picture of yourself with your practically perfect dog. You’ve always preferred big dogs, and your ideal dog is sturdy, strong, and energetic. At the same time, you envision a dog who is gentle and completely in tune to your needs, your whims, and your every move. That perfect dog is likely a Labrador Retriever. After all, the Labrador Retriever is the most popular dog in the United States, according to American Kennel Club registrations. Labs are beautiful, friendly, adaptable, easygoing, brave, loyal, dependable, and intelligent. What could be better?

Labrador Retrievers For Dummies is a useful guide to have if you′re thinking of getting a Lab or even if you already own one. Perhaps you′re just curious about this popular breed. This handy reference is for you if you want to

• Find out if a Lab suits your lifestyle
• Know what to look for in Lab pups
• Determine if a breeder meets high standards
• Understand health and nutrition needs
• Handle emergencies with a cool head
• Train your dog with the lure–and–reward technique
• Show off your Lab in competitions

You can live a fulfilling life with your Lab by making sure she is socialized, healthy, and well trained. What better task for humans and dogs than to be great companions for each other? However, you may need some help in knowing how to get the most out of your relationship with your Lab. This friendly guide offers that help with the following topics and more:

• Exercising your pup and older Lab
• Choosing the right veterinarian
• Exploring spaying/neutering
• Keeping your Lab beautiful with good grooming
• Helping your dog deal with divorce, a new baby, moving
• Managing barking and whining
• Housetraining your new puppy
• Traveling to dog–friendly vacation destinations
• Choosing a pet sitter or boarding kennel
• Volunteering your lab as a therapy dog

Labrador Retrievers are big, energetic, and sometimes boisterous (especially as puppies), and they don′t take care of themselves. They need you. Don′t let them need you unless you′re ready to be needed.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20224 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-14
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 456 pages

From the Author
Comments on Labrador Retrievers for Dummies
First, let me thank all of the readers who bought my first book and drove it to the top of the best-selling breed books list here at Amazon.com UK!

I hope that this new book will be recommended to everyone who is thinking about getting a puppy. Reading it should help families avoid getting a puppy unless they are prepared to do the necessary work and management so they will have a well brought up pet.

Here is what a few folks you may know had to say about this book:

"Buying this book is the smartest thing you can do." Ian Dunbar, Ph.D., author of How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks

"I recommend this book to any dog owner who wants the real scoop, not just Lab enthusiasts." Jean Donaldson, author of The Culture Clash and Dogs Are from Neptune

"I wish [this book] had been available 25 years ago when I bought my first Labrador." Kate Fulkerson, Ph.D., Labrador breeder and trainer

From the Back Cover
"Buying this book is the smartest thing you can do." Ian Dunbar, Ph.D., author of How to Teach a New Dog Old Tricks Praise for Labrador Retrievers For Dummies^® "I recommend this book to any dog owner who wants the real scoop, not just Lab enthusiasts." — Jean Donaldson, author of The Culture Clash and Dogs Are from Neptune "I wish [this book] had been available 25 years ago when I bought my first Labrador." — Kate Fulkerson, Ph.D., Labrador breeder and trainer

Find out about your Labrador Retriever's special needs

Get the lowdown on keeping your dog healthy and content Labrador Retrievers are versatile, serving as family companions, hunting buddies, guides for the blind, service dogs for the physically challenged, and drug–detector dogs. This fun and friendly book gives you expert advice on Lab temperament, shows you how to train your dog to be a well–mannered companion, and much more.

Discover how to: Choose the right Lab for you Manage your new puppy Educate yourself and your Lab Maintain good health, proper exercise, and diet Use the Manage, Relate, Educate training program

Get smart! www.dummies.com Attention pet owners! Get free Dummies Daily^™ e–mail newsletters Sign up today for tips on dogs, cats, or birds Keep your pet healthy and content — the Dummies Way^™

About the Author
Joel Walton is a professional dog trainer and Labrador Retriever breeder who has lived with Labs for more than 30 years. Eve Adamson is a regular contributor to Dog Fancy and other pet magazines.

Customer Reviews

Thank God!
this book saved me in more ways than one:

It saved my laminate flooring
It saved my upstairs carpet
It saved my sofa (after it took a hell of a beating)
It saved my plaster (after i had it re skimmed)
It saved my relationship]

If this book cost £80.00 i would still buy it, invaluable!

Labradors for dummies
Having had two dogs before and thinking that I had enough knowledge to train the third,I purchased this book as I had been used to setters and was changing to a Lab.It was the best move as this book is spot on regarding the specifics of this breed.All information relevant,accessible to a dummy like me and delivered with great humour.Whether it is for your first dog or not I wholeheartedly recommend this book and the section on house training is great.

nightmare
took 3 weeks to come an sent 3 seperate emails asking where it was an didnt get any reply or help.. when it came was old an battered anyway. waste of time an money