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: #47438 in Books
• Published on: 2000-09-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 288 pages

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

Labrador Retrievers for Dummys
Book purchased for my daughter who has a new puppy. She has found the book to be very helpful in training and getting acquainted with her puppy. Great price and customer service, that you...

Labs are the best
I have bought this book as soon as I've bought my labrador, and she is still alive... I'm just joking... I have the female labrador and this book really helped me to teach her some manners and right now I have a great dog that can be with me wherever I go. If I go to the coffee shop she is with me, if I go to the beach she is with me and I have no problems with her.

Okay - but not great
When I bought my little yellow lab puppy, I searched the internet and scoured reviews to buy the best book to prepare me for my new endeavor. I purchased this book, and I am sad to say, I was a little disappointed. It barely skims the surface of each topic, and did not prepare me to be a first-time puppy owner, or a first-time lab owner. I highly recommend Barron's "Training Your Labrador Retriever". I just bought it (my puppy is three months old) and I wish I had bought it first - it has much more information on how to handle your new puppy!