Becky Schultz, Certified Pet Dog Trainer
Minneapolis, MN


A Wonderful, Easy to Understand Reference Book!   March 20, 2003
 17 out of 17 found this review helpful

As a person who has had the distinct pleasure of sharing my house and my life with as many as six Labrador retrievers at a time over the last 20 years (I now have four), I am acutely aware of the wonder and awe associated with getting such a wonderful companion can be. yet, sadly, I am also aware of the profound ignorance many would-be labrador-people are regarding how to select, introduce, and socialize this new member of the family. In that sense, this book , along with a number of others such as Richard Wolper's "Family Dog", can provide the wary would-be initate with all of the essentails on how to successfully transform that cute little puppy into a happy, obdeient, and well-integrated member of the household.

This book does offer one the expert advice one needs regarding the care and nurture of what has now become the single most popular breed in the United States, with information ranging from an impromptu history of Labrador Retrievers to such topics such as adoption options. The book also features a handsome 8-page color insert, and delivers to the prospective owner a wealth of facts and details regarding Labrador Retrievers. It provides essential and vital information regarding nutrition, socialization, and exercise, and offers some sage advice about how to find and select a reputable breeder. In addition, it also touches on aspects of ownerships such as common illnesses and chronic problems associated with the breed. This is a book I can heartily recommend!


Not just for Labradors...a "bible" for all dog breed owners   April 8, 2002
 43 out of 43 found this review helpful

As a Certified Dog trainer, I have read and own many training manuals and reference books. Joel Walton's and Eve Adamson's book is one of my favorites. Labrador Retrievers for Dummies is not just for Lab owners. It is a most wonderfully written *soup to nuts* owning, training and management "bible" for any dog breed owner. I suggest many books to my cients, this being one of the top three.

Written so the average dog owner can clearly understand what owning/caring for and training a dog is all about,not only makes Labrador Retrievers for Dummies an enjoyable read, but makes training your dog EASY, POSITIVE AND SO REWARDING. There is no "behaviorese" to decipher and this book thoroughly enables you to understand how to turn you relationship with your pet into "only a good thing!"


A good book, but Dogs for Dummies has more   March 7, 2002
 20 out of 25 found this review helpful

This is a good book that discusses the breed, dog owning in general, first aid, training, etc. however, I kept feeling like most of the information was already in the general "Dogs for Dummies" books. Don't get me wrong, this is a good book, but I think if you need a primer on dogs, get the general one first and invest your "Lab only book" money on some of the more lush, colorful books on the breed.


Great Book, Interesting Philosophy   October 20, 2000
 60 out of 65 found this review helpful

My wife and I read this book before deciding we wanted a lab. It is well organized, follows a nice progression, and is very well written. Above all, Joel and Eve's love of labs shine through. At first I wasn't sure if I could trust a "Dummies" book, but this one at least is excellent. Joel espouses lure and reward training and he sold me on it via this book. If you believe in punishment training you may not enjoy the book quite as much. If you are considering getting a lab or have a puppy we found this book to be a great foundation. After reading this book, we wanted one of Joel's labs.