Nona Kilgore Bauer has shared her life with Goldens for more than 40 years. Her dogs have won many obedience and other working titles, and Nona is a 15-time Dog Writers Association of America nominee (and winner). She has written over two dozen books on canine subjects, including the previous edition of Golden Retrievers For Dummies.

Introduction 1

Part 1: Finding Your Soul Mate 5

Chapter 1: Are You Meant for Each Other? 7

Chapter 2: What to Look for in the Breed 17

Chapter 3: Finding a Golden Breeder 27

Chapter 4: Selecting Your Special Puppy 43

Part 2: Welcome Home! 53

Chapter 5: Setting Out the Welcome Mat 55

Chapter 6: Welcoming Your Puppy Home 67

Chapter 7: Crate Training and Housetraining 81

Chapter 8: Canine Communication and Growing Pains 91

Chapter 9: Homeschooling Your Golden Puppy 107

Part 3: Keeping Your Pal Healthy and Happy 123

Chapter 10: Healthy Habits: Nutrition and Exercise 125

Chapter 11: Golden Health Care 101 139

Chapter 12: The Ins and Outs of Bugs and Worms 165

Chapter 13: Golden Grooming Basics 179

Chapter 14: Caring for Your Senior Golden 189

Chapter 15: Hereditary Disease 199

Chapter 16: Problem Behaviors and Aggression 207

Part 4: The Part of Tens 227

Chapter 17: Ten Great Games to Play with Your Puppy 229

Chapter 18: Ten Websites for the Golden Retriever Believer 235

Chapter 19: Ten Things in Your Golden Retriever's Bag of Tricks 239

Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Help Your Golden Live a Longer and More Golden Life 251

Index 257