Customer Reviews

Golden Retrievers For Dummies

5 star:		(27)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

Golden Retrievers for Dummies is a solid contribution to pet maintainence and care. The book is by an author who has owned numerous golden retrievers. It shows here in the text. However, there are dozens of Golden Retriever books on the market, and some say the text is uneven and lacks detail. Many would not recommend the Essential Golden Retriever because of the lack of important information. Well, all of these problems are solved!
This book covers every essential fact for someone pondering getting a Golden Retriever. There are many categories to read, including vital health concerns, keeping your dog content, and feeding the correct dietary supplements. Another brief section is about coping with the loss of an animal, and caring for an elderly dog. Yet another talks about Hereditary & Behavior issues.
Out of the dozens of books on dogs available, this, without a doubt, would be the unsurpassed choice.

I am a Director of the Golden Retriever Institute (<a href = "http://www.GoldenRetrieverInstitute.com">http://www.GoldenRetrieverInstitute.com</a>) - one of the world's leading organizations engaged in research into the welfare and training of Golden Retrievers.

I can tell you from my experience that this book should be required reading for anyone who is thinking of purchasing a Golden Retriever or already has one.

The book does an excellent job of covering the basics of taking care of, maintaining and training Golden Retrievers.

The sections on taking care of your Golden Retriever's health and ensuring that it has a long and healthy life are some of the best I have ever seen in books of this genre.

And the Part of Tens will give you dozens of ideas regarding fun things you can do with your dog.

Strongly recommended.

I bought this and 3 others Golden books, but this is by far, the best I ever see! It covers all aspects for a happy life with a Golden Retriever. The info about house break in and basic training are the most efective. I put in pratice with my Golden and for a first time dog owner like me, it worked 100%. The "don't" do part of the book is great! It told me what not to do, and it works more than many oral comands. Thanks to this book, my Golden is a happy, obedient and healthy dog. Even living in Brazil, without much of toys, food, address, etc mentioned in the book, it is a must have book. I higly recommend for the first time Golden owner and for those who already has previously dog experience. And an extra bonun is the excelente price for so many good quality informantion. I hope the author will bring us another Golden book soon.

I purchased this book among many others, and it was the most helpful book!!! It covered everything a novice pet owner would want to know about goldens. I consider it my "Golden Bible". My husband and I can't say enough good things about this book. I have seen articles about the author in golden magazines and she is THE GOLDEN LADY. I would recommened this book to any golden lover and new golden owner!

When a breeder recommended this book, I didn't expect much. I have read some of the ... For Dummies books for computer software and was disappointed at their simplicity. This book gives me newfound respect for the ... For Dummies line.

This book is easy to read and understand, but full of information. Plus, the advice matches the advice in other books I purchased that aren't as well organized.

After having to say good-bye to my 10-year old Golden on Mother's Day, we decided to make Father's Day a happier occasion with our new little Golden, "Lucy." I made so many mistakes in the puppy stage with our beloved Chloe and house training took a VERY long time. Lots of damage, messes, etc. This book is extremely helpful in giving simple, understandable instructions on the do's and don'ts of puppyhood. We have had Lucy only 9 days and already she is "getting it" which is so amazing to me! The book is written in a humorous vein and the important points are highlighted so even the biggest idiot can comprehend the mindset necessary for training this gorgeous little new best friend. We have opened our hearts (again) and are sooooooooo happy we did!

If you've never had a dog before, like me, this book helps guide you in the right direction. It's got everything you need to know and is set up easily so you can find it right away. Excellent tips on training obedience, housetraining, and crate training. And thanks to this book, I can now feel confident that a Golden is definitely the right dog for me! The book is perfect for anyone interested in a Golden, or for anyone with a Golden puppy. I'd even recommend it to someone who was an experienced Golden parent! Even an old dog can learn new tricks, right?