Golden Retrievers For Dummies [Paperback]

Nona Kilgore Bauer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2000

For the past decade, the Golden Retriever has ranked among the five most popular breeds registered with the AKC, with more than 65,000 Goldens registered every year. The Golden Retriever’s personality is as golden as his outer coat. He was bred to please, and please he does. He started out as a hunting partner who delivered birds to hand and has evolved into modern times delivering whatever suits his owner’s fancy. Because Golden Retrievers were originally bred to work in tandem with humans, they are also highly trainable.

Golden Retrievers For Dummies is intended for busy 21st century dog owners who don’t have time to sit down and read through 300 pages at a crack. This is a reference you can jump in and out of as dog questions rear their furry heads. This handy guide is also for you if

• You own a Golden Retriever or thinking about getting one.
• You've just brought home a Golden pup.
• You want to find the best way to raise and train your Golden.
• You want to help your Golde n to not just survive but to thrive.

Find out what it takes to own this active, intelligent, and friendly dog. Explore the Golden's personality traits and living requirements. Discover which diseases are hereditary. This reference guide covers all the aspects of dog ownership, including:

• Looking at breeders, rescue groups, and animal shelters
• Adopting and caring for older dogs
• Selecting a puppy with help from an established testing process
• Dog-proofing your house and yard
• Crate training, housetraining, and obedience training
• Canine communication and growing pains
• Feeding, exercising, and playing with your Golden
• Dealing with illness, problem behavior, and treatment
• Grooming for health and beauty

If you’re serious about this Golden business and not just caving in to the kids or some other wild impulse, follow the advice of responsible dog owners and breeders. Look deep into your dog-loving soul and carefully consider the big picture. Love alone is not enough.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Nona Kilgore Bauer has shared her life with Goldens for more than 30 years. Her dogs have won many obedience and other working titles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (October 6, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764552678
• ISBN-13: 978-0764552670
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (41 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #63,530 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Read this book BEFORE you get a dog, August 6, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Golden Retrievers For Dummies (Paperback)

Having been considering a Golden Retriever puppy for some time, I read this book with great interest. There is not a stone left unturned (or toy left unchewed)in the book. The author knows her dogs and covers every aspect of puppyhood and EXACTLY what to expect. If you read this book and follow it's advice, I don't know how you wouldn't end up having a great dog, instead of just a "good" dog. She puts the responsibility squarely on the owner and that you can't just have a casual relationship with your dog. You have to make a commitment to the dog. I have recently adopted an older Golden (thus the reason I bought the book)and while I would love to enjoy a puppy and train it through the years, I also realize it could take more time than I have to give at this moment, so I am extra glad I read the book. As I said, it should be required reading BEFORE anyone considers getting a dog. Also, don't fear, you will not be committing many nights to read the book, it is broken down very well and is a quick read. The dummies books also make it very easy to look up something specific when needed.

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I want one!, March 26, 2001

By 

M. H. Bayliss "book queen" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Golden Retrievers For Dummies (Paperback)

The author is a self-avowed golden nut who worships her dogs and lets them sleep in her bed (not as puppies though -- only after her dominance as the alpha dog is gained!). Every owner should have to read this before getting a puppy. Too many people think of puppies as cute little furballs but give little attention to their training. Even these adorable little dogs need strict training and discipline so they can rise to their best behavioral level. You'll learn all the things you SHOULD do to train your dog and many that you shouldn't like rubbing its nose in feces (who ever thought of that!). Obviously, some dog owners must be a bit daft. Do yourself a favor and read this book before committing to raising a puppy. No one should get a puppy unless they are prepared to work at being a good trainer. Even this forgiving and friendly breed needs structure.

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A MUST-READ FOR ANY PRESENT OR FUTURE GOLDEN OWNER, April 2, 2001

By 

Baby's Mom (Metro Detroit, MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Golden Retrievers For Dummies (Paperback)

This woman knows and loves her goldens! What a valuable source of information! I first read it from cover-to-cover the first week I had my Golden Pup home (in between trying to housetrain her and keeping her from chewing on the pages...I had to flip forward to the parts that addressed those issues first!) I have since kept it as a reference to refer to when needed.

The book is well laid out, has little tidbits of information that could be used to impress your co-workers and friends with your "golden knowledge", is humorous, heartwarming, and very, very on-target. The author does not sugar-coat anything, and deals with the GOOD and the not-so-good aspects of this breed. I own other books on raising and loving your Golden, but this one's my favorite.