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A Dog's Life
It is a fact generally acknowledged, dear reader, that a man is not a man without a dog . . .
‘I have always been a pushover when it comes to dogs – something my own dogs worked out a long time ago. Who else can be relied on to be that excited about seeing you first thing, day in day out?’
Mary, Tina and Arthur are the four-footed members of the Clunes family – scrapping, sleeping, leaping, wagging and licking. But there’s too much of the scrapping, and the hierarchy is a complicated structure that has been bent and broken.
Martin Clunes set off on a worldwide adventure to film ITV’s A Man and His Dogs and sought to discover where dogs come from and how they evolved into our companions and the working dogs of today. Along the way he also learned about the social structure of a wolf pack, survival skills of dingoes in Australia and wild dogs in Africa, among other things.
In the wild, social rules are obeyed or fur flies, but nature has been pretty vicious in Martin’s own back yard as well. The battle to stop the fighting between Tina and Mary has included ventures into therapy, training classes, dog psychiatry, diet and tough love.
Through the adventures of this delightful, closely-knit family, with their horses and chickens and dogs, we learn about the soft-hearted actor who is Martin Clunes. Fond, funny and endearing, this book will enchant and fascinate in equal measure.
‘I have always been a pushover when it comes to dogs – something my own dogs worked out a long time ago. Who else can be relied on to be that excited about seeing you first thing, day in day out?’
Mary, Tina and Arthur are the four-footed members of the Clunes family – scrapping, sleeping, leaping, wagging and licking. But there’s too much of the scrapping, and the hierarchy is a complicated structure that has been bent and broken.
Martin Clunes set off on a worldwide adventure to film ITV’s A Man and His Dogs and sought to discover where dogs come from and how they evolved into our companions and the working dogs of today. Along the way he also learned about the social structure of a wolf pack, survival skills of dingoes in Australia and wild dogs in Africa, among other things.
In the wild, social rules are obeyed or fur flies, but nature has been pretty vicious in Martin’s own back yard as well. The battle to stop the fighting between Tina and Mary has included ventures into therapy, training classes, dog psychiatry, diet and tough love.
Through the adventures of this delightful, closely-knit family, with their horses and chickens and dogs, we learn about the soft-hearted actor who is Martin Clunes. Fond, funny and endearing, this book will enchant and fascinate in equal measure.
251 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2008
37 people are currently reading
117 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 4, 2012
Actually, I'm still reading this book, but once I rated it, that option disappeared. This description of Martin Clunes' love affair with dogs has so many similarities to my own that I couldn't help but love it. He is charming and kind-hearted, and I wish we could have dinner one night and just share our stories. If you just don't get having pets, this is not the book for you. Otherwise buy it. It can be found on Amazon, and if I remember right, only used copies are available. It wasn't expensive, though.
For those of you unfamiliar with Mr. Clunes, he plays the title character in Doc Martin, a series on PBS. If you haven't seen those shows, look them up. They are always replaying episodes. They are also available on Netflix, both streaming and DVD. You are in for a treat.
For those of you unfamiliar with Mr. Clunes, he plays the title character in Doc Martin, a series on PBS. If you haven't seen those shows, look them up. They are always replaying episodes. They are also available on Netflix, both streaming and DVD. You are in for a treat.
June 24, 2021
I have to declare I’m not a fan of Martin Clunes although I have heard of him.
This is a well written book that ably demonstrates what happens when people who don’t have much of a clue take on dogs bred to work and keep them as pets, without appropriate socialisation, training or exercise ( I’m assuming this because the worst behaviour occurred when Martin was away filming). Some people are natural dog handlers, they instinctively know how to get the best from their animals. Others keep a huge numbers of trainers, behaviourists, vets, dieticians and so on occupied with the problems they have created for their dogs.
The author is a dog lover and clearly wants the best for his animals without being able to supply them with a consistent framework in which to live.
He starts off believing that because a breeder is Kennel Club registered, they are not a puppy farmer despite clear evidence to the contrary when he first visits. He then takes home a 4 week old puppy (!) and is devastated when it develops hip displasia at only 4 months of age.
One dog is easy to cope with so they get another. And that’s when their problems start because the two bitches do not get on and the youngster soon starts attacking the elder. The book is about various dog related interviews around the world with an update on the escalating situation between his own two dogs.
He tries the rightfully maligned Caesar Milan dominance roll. And demonstrates that it doesn’t work. Throughout the book there is a lot of rubbish spouted about pack leadership and how humans must dominate. That may work amongst wolves/ wild dogs but does not apply in a domestic situation so please take that with a pinch of salt.
He is given good advice about his fighting dogs ( keep the dogs separated, give the younger one a more meaningful life) but lacks the knowledge or consistency to do so. One has to applaud his honesty and hopefully this book will help other pet dog owners to choose the breed of a future pet with care. Sadly, the author ends the book almost as ignorant as he started it. He mentions how good his Labrador’s recall is when he chases sheep! No decent dog owner allows his dog to chase in the first place- all dogs, no matter how well trained, should be on lead when in the same field as livestock. Sheep can abort from being chased long after the dog has departed.
The chapters on working and wild dogs are interesting and will be of interest to everyone.
This is a well written book that ably demonstrates what happens when people who don’t have much of a clue take on dogs bred to work and keep them as pets, without appropriate socialisation, training or exercise ( I’m assuming this because the worst behaviour occurred when Martin was away filming). Some people are natural dog handlers, they instinctively know how to get the best from their animals. Others keep a huge numbers of trainers, behaviourists, vets, dieticians and so on occupied with the problems they have created for their dogs.
The author is a dog lover and clearly wants the best for his animals without being able to supply them with a consistent framework in which to live.
He starts off believing that because a breeder is Kennel Club registered, they are not a puppy farmer despite clear evidence to the contrary when he first visits. He then takes home a 4 week old puppy (!) and is devastated when it develops hip displasia at only 4 months of age.
One dog is easy to cope with so they get another. And that’s when their problems start because the two bitches do not get on and the youngster soon starts attacking the elder. The book is about various dog related interviews around the world with an update on the escalating situation between his own two dogs.
He tries the rightfully maligned Caesar Milan dominance roll. And demonstrates that it doesn’t work. Throughout the book there is a lot of rubbish spouted about pack leadership and how humans must dominate. That may work amongst wolves/ wild dogs but does not apply in a domestic situation so please take that with a pinch of salt.
He is given good advice about his fighting dogs ( keep the dogs separated, give the younger one a more meaningful life) but lacks the knowledge or consistency to do so. One has to applaud his honesty and hopefully this book will help other pet dog owners to choose the breed of a future pet with care. Sadly, the author ends the book almost as ignorant as he started it. He mentions how good his Labrador’s recall is when he chases sheep! No decent dog owner allows his dog to chase in the first place- all dogs, no matter how well trained, should be on lead when in the same field as livestock. Sheep can abort from being chased long after the dog has departed.
The chapters on working and wild dogs are interesting and will be of interest to everyone.
Read
February 20, 2011Whilst really interesting in places this book focuses a lot on "pack theory", which Martin Clunes is obviously a big believer in and which is a bit of a downer for me. Also, the book goes over a lot of what was covered in "One man and his dogs", which I've seen, and so didn't really contain anything new, other than an extended look into Martin's own doggy family.
One ting that I really didn't like is how the Clunes family dealt with the agression between their two cockers. Whilst they say they tried everything it seems to me that all they tried was a Cesar Milan approach and a half-hearted attempt at redirection. There was no mention of positively reinforcing the good interactions between the dogs, just negatively reinforcing the bad ones. It seems a shame.
One ting that I really didn't like is how the Clunes family dealt with the agression between their two cockers. Whilst they say they tried everything it seems to me that all they tried was a Cesar Milan approach and a half-hearted attempt at redirection. There was no mention of positively reinforcing the good interactions between the dogs, just negatively reinforcing the bad ones. It seems a shame.
February 12, 2014
As I really like Doc Martin I was immediately excited by this book. Martin Clunes writes about his own dogs and his life with them. He also travels the world studying other kinds of dogs and animals. If you like dogs, and particularly if you like Doc Martin, I would highly recommend this.
October 7, 2017
I think I may have read this year's ago. It seemed familiar. I particularly enjoyed the sections devoted to the author's own dogs.
June 29, 2021
As a long time fan of the Doc Martin series, it's quite as stretch for me to come to terms with the cheery, casually dressed Martin Clunes surrounded by dogs. On the show, he despises dogs. This book is autobiographical, telling of his love of dogs, but at the same time of managing peaceful relationships in a multi-canine home. It also tracks Clunes' experiences worldwide as he hosts a British television show about dogs. In his travels, he gets "up close and personal" with wolves in the States, dingoes in Australia, sheep dogs in Britain and wild dogs in Africa. I was not at first enamored of the personal trials and tribulations, but even that part became endearing. Clunes' informal, yet informational writing really drew me in. (I'm still trying to adapt to the smile...) One aside about the filming of the series: when Doc Martin yells at a dog on the show, it was something they dubbed in later, so as not to interfere with the close bond that causes the dogs to follow him everywhere. Loved that!
December 26, 2020
This book got lost at the bottom of a bag, otherwise it would never have taken me this long to read it! I am, first, without doubt and unashamedly, a dog person. Secondly I am a Doc Martin fan and met Martin Clunes very briefly at a mutual friend's place way back in his drama school days. I knew I would enjoy this book, but had NO idea how very, very much I would learn about canines in the process. It's never dry, often funny and very well written. So, whether your a fan of the author or not, if you care at all about dogs then this is a read for you!
November 18, 2016
Very well written. An easy flow to the book that kept you interested with a nice interspersal of personal story with the larger story of dogs.
June 20, 2020
I enjoyed reading about Martin’s great love for dogs and other animals. Interesting travelogue also of the many trips he took around the world to meet some very unique species.
December 22, 2024
I love this book. One of the best books for a while and it’s all about dogs who I love! I am sure you will too!
December 5, 2014
I was given this book by my Nan as we are both big dog lovers and we always share and appreciate each other’s books. I didn’t really know much about Martin Clunes before I started reading this, I didn’t watch the Doc Martin TV series or the dog documentary he did, I only remember him from his Men Behaving Badly days when I was growing up. This is not a book that I would have picked up and selected myself as I tend to only read fiction but I always like a recommendation, so I gave it a go.
As promised by the cover, this book is informative, funny, heartbreaking and fascinating. It’s very easy to read and follow and the chapters are short and nicely written. Martin takes us on his dog journey, starting with how he developed his love for dogs, to how he learnt to respect and appreciate every breed. There are some personal tales he tells of his dogs fighting, that are clearly very stressful and upsetting for him and his family and I’m sure a lot of dog owners can relate to that. I was surprised with Martin’s honesty throughout the book. He tells how he loves to smell dogs behind their ears as it’s the best smell in the world and also how judged his dog a winner in a dog show! As expected, the book is funny in places and it did make me chuckle out loud a few times. I was also very interested in all the research that Martin did on dogs and how they have evolved other the centuries and how humans and dogs now work together in various ways. I was born in the UK but now live in Australia, so I was particularly interested in the section in the book based in Australia that spoke about dingos and the aboriginal history with the dogs.
This is a nice book for dog lovers and you will especially enjoy it if you are a Martin Clunes fan. It’s a nice easy read with a good mix of personal stories, humour and facts. I liked this book but didn’t love it. I will leave this on the bookshelf at work for another dog lover to take.
As promised by the cover, this book is informative, funny, heartbreaking and fascinating. It’s very easy to read and follow and the chapters are short and nicely written. Martin takes us on his dog journey, starting with how he developed his love for dogs, to how he learnt to respect and appreciate every breed. There are some personal tales he tells of his dogs fighting, that are clearly very stressful and upsetting for him and his family and I’m sure a lot of dog owners can relate to that. I was surprised with Martin’s honesty throughout the book. He tells how he loves to smell dogs behind their ears as it’s the best smell in the world and also how judged his dog a winner in a dog show! As expected, the book is funny in places and it did make me chuckle out loud a few times. I was also very interested in all the research that Martin did on dogs and how they have evolved other the centuries and how humans and dogs now work together in various ways. I was born in the UK but now live in Australia, so I was particularly interested in the section in the book based in Australia that spoke about dingos and the aboriginal history with the dogs.
This is a nice book for dog lovers and you will especially enjoy it if you are a Martin Clunes fan. It’s a nice easy read with a good mix of personal stories, humour and facts. I liked this book but didn’t love it. I will leave this on the bookshelf at work for another dog lover to take.
January 18, 2017
This was an overall interesting book to read.
One thing I realized while reading this book, is that it was a little bit of a younger readers book.
This book really shows the up's and down's of a stray dogs life. Many people don't think about what a dog that doesn't have a home has to live like. I like the journey that the dogs go through, and how they overcome obstacles that life throws at them. I also like how the setting changes throughout the story and it doesn't only take place in one place. This book is a little bit sad. But the perseverance of the dogs really keep the readers hopes up. Through out the book the author uses many synonyms and adjectives, it helps better understand what the dogs are going through.
Overall this is a great book for a young reader. Even though it is a little bit sad, it helps the reader understand the life of stray dogs and puts a smile on the readers face at the end of the book.
Levi
One thing I realized while reading this book, is that it was a little bit of a younger readers book.
This book really shows the up's and down's of a stray dogs life. Many people don't think about what a dog that doesn't have a home has to live like. I like the journey that the dogs go through, and how they overcome obstacles that life throws at them. I also like how the setting changes throughout the story and it doesn't only take place in one place. This book is a little bit sad. But the perseverance of the dogs really keep the readers hopes up. Through out the book the author uses many synonyms and adjectives, it helps better understand what the dogs are going through.
Overall this is a great book for a young reader. Even though it is a little bit sad, it helps the reader understand the life of stray dogs and puts a smile on the readers face at the end of the book.
Levi
June 8, 2012
i am absolutely in love with martin clunes, but unfortunately not his book. my love stems from his stern doc martin character, but this is not the real life martin. martin is a HUGE dog lover, which is a penchant i don't share. he is a good writer, his research is solid, and his stories are interesting, but i just don't share his passion. if you are interested in dogs and particularly how our domestic dogs of today are related to the wild dog, this book will interest you. i however will keep waiting for martin clunes to write a book from the perspective of his doc martin character :)
February 12, 2013
It took me a while to get through this book. But I made it, and was not totally surprised by the end. I saw it coming, and wondered why they let their poor Mary get so mistreated. I love Martin Clunes, could practically hear his voice reading to me, and wish I could see more of his acting. His writing is pretty good as well, but I'll probably post this book on Paperback Swap. It's not a "keeper" for me, anyway.
April 4, 2014
Enjoyable investigation into what makes dogs so appealing to us. However I didn't much agree with everything Martin Clunes thinks about dogs. He seems to assume that the only likeable dogs are those with floppy ears and is quite dismissive of other breeds. Furthermore he doesn't seem to have much idea of how to train and handle his own dogs. Anyway, one has to admire his courage with the wolves and he has some nice anecdotes .
September 17, 2012
An interesting look at different types of working dogs and their relationship with humans ,also wolves and dingos.alonside it looks at the pack of dogs at Martins house the struggles and help sought and the conclusion.would appeal to doglovers but not those looking for a more academic type of book .
April 30, 2010
A very interesting & entertaining book
October 25, 2019
Any dog lover will love this book. I couldn't put it down.. certainly worth a read
August 1, 2011
This book was such an interesting biography of a dog lover, but it also taught my se much about dogs. I would recommend this if you want quite a slow read with many facts and also love dogs!
June 2, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. As a fellow cocker spaniel (English) -lover, this book hit all the right notes. Martin's humour throughout was a great bonus. A fast read and I was sorry to see it end.
September 22, 2015
I love this book
April 10, 2016
Amusing anecdotes
May 9, 2017
I really loved it.....
November 13, 2018
Easy read for an emotional catharsis.
August 10, 2012
Dog lovers will love this book.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews