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Flint, O cão que mudou a minha vida
Flint tem a coragem de um leão. O facto de ser um cão pequeno não o impede de defender a sua casa com a determinação de um rei. Flint é generoso. Depois de ter assumido a missão de exterminar os pequenos ratos que se multiplicavam pela cave, decidiu provar o seu amor da única forma que se lembrou: depositando um produto morto da sua conquista – um rato – no peito da sua dona adormecida.
Flint é uma espécie de alma gémea do seu dono. Desde que se lembra de existir, e até antes disso, Stanley viveu rodeado de cães de várias raças, mas nenhum o tocou e comoveu como Flint, que entrou na sua vida como um pequeno furacão e o inspirou a escrever este livro.
Porque um cão é muito mais do que um simples animal de quatro patas, Flint é um livro para rir e chorar. Vai ajuda-lo a ser um melhor dono, a treinar o seu companheiro canino e a encarar a vida com mais sentido de humor.
«No Natal, aquela que viria a tornar-se minha mulher, comprou-me um cão. No Natal seguinte ofereceu-me uma caçadeira. A maior parte dos meus familiares acredita que estes dois presentes estão relacionados.»
Flint é uma espécie de alma gémea do seu dono. Desde que se lembra de existir, e até antes disso, Stanley viveu rodeado de cães de várias raças, mas nenhum o tocou e comoveu como Flint, que entrou na sua vida como um pequeno furacão e o inspirou a escrever este livro.
Porque um cão é muito mais do que um simples animal de quatro patas, Flint é um livro para rir e chorar. Vai ajuda-lo a ser um melhor dono, a treinar o seu companheiro canino e a encarar a vida com mais sentido de humor.
«No Natal, aquela que viria a tornar-se minha mulher, comprou-me um cão. No Natal seguinte ofereceu-me uma caçadeira. A maior parte dos meus familiares acredita que estes dois presentes estão relacionados.»
368 pages, Paperback
First published November 2, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
February 6, 2017
This is really a book about the author. We are half way into the book before we are introduced to Flint, the Cairn terrier that the author, Stanley Coren, loves.
First he tells us about his childhood growing up with dogs, his parents and grandfather and their expectations for him, his decisions including marrying the girl of his family's choice. He tells us quite a lot rather negative things about himself and I didn't like him much. He eventually walks out on his wife and children, using an illness that he does not name as the reason why. His wife is vengeful and evidently never liked their dog very much. Appalling......
So Mr. Coren eventually gets a new dog and a new wife. He is very attached to both, but his wife doesn't much like his dog. They work it out I suppose; she is snarky about his dog and he is sneaky about his dog's behavior, but whatever, they seemed happy otherwise.
Mr. Coren trains his dog in Obedience and you know, joins the world of people who train and compete their dogs.
His descriptions of his dog are charming it is obvious that he really loved this dog.
One nice thing about this book are the drawings which the author drew; he is a talented artist.
First he tells us about his childhood growing up with dogs, his parents and grandfather and their expectations for him, his decisions including marrying the girl of his family's choice. He tells us quite a lot rather negative things about himself and I didn't like him much. He eventually walks out on his wife and children, using an illness that he does not name as the reason why. His wife is vengeful and evidently never liked their dog very much. Appalling......
So Mr. Coren eventually gets a new dog and a new wife. He is very attached to both, but his wife doesn't much like his dog. They work it out I suppose; she is snarky about his dog and he is sneaky about his dog's behavior, but whatever, they seemed happy otherwise.
Mr. Coren trains his dog in Obedience and you know, joins the world of people who train and compete their dogs.
His descriptions of his dog are charming it is obvious that he really loved this dog.
One nice thing about this book are the drawings which the author drew; he is a talented artist.
February 13, 2011
Even though this book is cataloged with the 636s, it reads like a memoir of the author's life with dogs, and in particular with a special little Cairn terrier. As a dog lover, I was thoroughly engrossed. I do not have a Cairn terrier, but I do have two Jack Russell terriers, and terrier behavior is pretty universal.I was intrigued with the way he analyzed his terrier's thinking and modified his training techniques to fit the dog's natural behavior. I couldn't imagine how he managed to marry two women who were not dog lovers to the extent he obviously is. His first wife, especially, came across as vindictive in a very sadistic way.( The fate of his children's dog after their divorce told a lot about 'Mossy'. I was horrified.) His second wife, although he obviously loves her deeply, just seemed so humorless when faced with a little terrier's eccentricities. Really, if you live with a terrier, you have to know how to laugh. All in all, a wonderfully enjoyable read for dog lovers! (Oh, and the author's line drawings that accompany the text are exquisite. What a talented guy!)
June 21, 2018
A feisty Cairn Terrier and the man who loved him. That pretty much sums up the book. The dog was Flint, a perfect example of his breed and the man is Dr.Stanley Coren, a psychologist,dog behaviorist and author of books about the previous two subjects.
I enjoyed the book and gained some training tips and insights along the way. I did not enjoy the manner in which he portrayed his wife and her relationship with him and his dog. His wife detested his dog, that was crystal. He kept on harping on it and wrote her to be the most unsympathetic character ever.He made sure the reader despised her all the while writing about how he loved her. WTH?!
His wife notwithstanding, the book was a decent read.
I enjoyed the book and gained some training tips and insights along the way. I did not enjoy the manner in which he portrayed his wife and her relationship with him and his dog. His wife detested his dog, that was crystal. He kept on harping on it and wrote her to be the most unsympathetic character ever.He made sure the reader despised her all the while writing about how he loved her. WTH?!
His wife notwithstanding, the book was a decent read.
October 1, 2019
Das melhores obras que já li, talvez por ser apaixonada por cães, e ter dois cães em casa que são tudo para mim!!!
É um livro cheio de emoções...eu só de o ler, fiquei encantada pelo pequeno Flint.
Tem um final triste, que me fez ficar lavada em lágrimas, mas isto sou eu: pois tudo que envolve animais, eu choro 🤐
É um livro cheio de emoções...eu só de o ler, fiquei encantada pelo pequeno Flint.
Tem um final triste, que me fez ficar lavada em lágrimas, mas isto sou eu: pois tudo que envolve animais, eu choro 🤐
May 8, 2018
Jane and I have shared our lives with Cairn Terriers for 30 years (Maggie, Rosie and now Tara). We also read Stanley Coren's "The Intelligence of Dogs" and were so impressed it made the cut list through three different moves. So when I found out last year that Coren had a 2010 book about is life with his Cairn Terrier Flint, I had very high hopes. Yet the book has two foci, and I gave it a 3by averaging my reactions. The parts about Flint were great--he is the same kind of intelligent independent and loving character that our three have been. We love terriers and Flint was a joy and a hoot. The problem was Stanley. On the one hand, he presents himself as that pathetic sort of man who has achieved some success in life and can't miss a chance to remind the world how important he is. Even most of the Flint stories are about what a wonderful job Coren did in training him f0rr obedience competitions. We've all known them, and we try our best to avoid them. To make matters worse, he wants our sympathy because his first marriage was "loveless". This translates out to letting his wife put him through grad school so he could become a big shot then neglecting her so he could do his research, leaving her to raise their kids, cheating on her twice he admits with grad assistants and dumping her without explanation. (The explanation was that he thought he was dying, but she isn't told.) He even diminished and objectifying her by never using her name. it is Marcie, but he always called her "Mossy" which can't possibly be seen as a compliment or endearment. After all this he cant' seem to realize why she despises him and wants our sympathy for the times she got back at him after the divorce. If you like terriers, get this book and skip all the parts that deal with Stanley. Flint is a great dog but Coren is a jerk.
May 20, 2011
Having read Coren’s other books especially the great”Intelligence of Dogs” I was quite disappointed in this one which is more a memoir of Coren’s life than a training or dog psychology book. Born To Bark focuses on Flint, an irrepressible Cairn Terrier, who becomes an Obedience Trial graduate, quite a feat for a Cairn: I’ve owned one and know the experience of having the dog perform all the required exercises and then during the “stand for inspection” biting the judge. Back to Born To Bark, I was also disconcerted by Coren’s problematic relationship with his wives. The first had his dog euthanized when they separated (among other dastardly acts) and the second is portrayed as cold and dismissive to Flint. This enables Coren to show himself as the understanding, kind and tolerant dog master. His attitude toward his wife’s misconception of dogs is rather condescending. Flint is shown as a lively rambunctious typical terrier and Coren details the positive training principles that are now widely accepted but were novel at the time he acquired Flint. Coren also purchases a Cavalier King Charles for his wife who he feels needs a compliant dog to snuggle with. Just not the book I expected from Coren.
October 6, 2011
Review written for the giveaway "First Reads" book! This was a great read! I'd never read anything written by Stanley Coren before and do see that he has written a number of books. Yes! I will now be reading more of his work. He likes well, each and every one of the canines that he writes about and makes training dogs very interesting. What I especially liked about his 'true stories' was that his work evoked total unexpected laughter (OUT LOUD) several times. What a 'good read' and a well-written book about dogs. All our families' life we've had one if not two dogs as part of the family.
All breeds of dogs, as Dr. Coren writes, have their very different personalities and can make good companions. By the way, we usually have one cat; sometimes two. They all (canines and felines; neutered/spayed) 'get along' rather well. (Cats are or can be far more intelligent than they are given credit for, too).
The humor, insights, and helpful training commentary make this fascinating book a 5 STAR-rated book to our family. Well-earned and well-deserved.
I LIKED it so much, I just today purchased this authors' "Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses?" for a young relatives' birthday! It is such a cute book, as I paged through it, I could see!!
All breeds of dogs, as Dr. Coren writes, have their very different personalities and can make good companions. By the way, we usually have one cat; sometimes two. They all (canines and felines; neutered/spayed) 'get along' rather well. (Cats are or can be far more intelligent than they are given credit for, too).
The humor, insights, and helpful training commentary make this fascinating book a 5 STAR-rated book to our family. Well-earned and well-deserved.
I LIKED it so much, I just today purchased this authors' "Why Do Dogs Have Wet Noses?" for a young relatives' birthday! It is such a cute book, as I paged through it, I could see!!
October 5, 2011
I loved this book! And like most people I love free stuff that I can use! But a free book is heaven! I am an avid reader. If I could make a living reading I would do it in a nano-second. I will read nearly anything. So I signed up for the giveaway of this book. A few weeks later I got an email saying I had won and to expect my book in 4-6 weeks. I was thrilled. 3 weeks later the book arrived!
It is a memoir of a psychologists life with his many dogs, how he came to study animal-human behavior, and his wonderful Cairn Terrier, Flint.There is a bit of training tid-bits in there and he explains why people kennel train as well as umbilical cord/leash train a brand new puppy. I was very surprised that someone finally wrote a book about these wonderful little dogs who really do think they are big dogs. The book is written in a down-to-earth manner that allows you to see the human writing it, rather than the psychologist (there are bits of that too, but it is not a research book.) I am also glad that the author wrote in a tone that is intelligent and not too terribly main stream. He is honest about how he chooses a puppy and about the breed. It really is a worth while read.
It is a memoir of a psychologists life with his many dogs, how he came to study animal-human behavior, and his wonderful Cairn Terrier, Flint.There is a bit of training tid-bits in there and he explains why people kennel train as well as umbilical cord/leash train a brand new puppy. I was very surprised that someone finally wrote a book about these wonderful little dogs who really do think they are big dogs. The book is written in a down-to-earth manner that allows you to see the human writing it, rather than the psychologist (there are bits of that too, but it is not a research book.) I am also glad that the author wrote in a tone that is intelligent and not too terribly main stream. He is honest about how he chooses a puppy and about the breed. It really is a worth while read.
February 7, 2016
O que era contado até era bastante interessante.
As capacidades deste senhor enquanto escritor é que não.
Parecia que estava a ditar a lista das compras do mês.
Sem sentimento.
Uma pena.
As capacidades deste senhor enquanto escritor é que não.
Parecia que estava a ditar a lista das compras do mês.
Sem sentimento.
Uma pena.
April 1, 2011
I didn't always like the way the author describes his relationship with his dogs and his wives, but it did bring a chuckle when he described the antics of his dogs.
May 15, 2013
I had plenty of laughs while reading this book as we have a cairn terrier too and they are a law unto themselves! I love my little fur baby even more now :)
September 5, 2025
This book was a total joy to read. Dr. Coren is a well-known scientist who has written other books about dogs, but this one is his personal story of his own dogs, and specifically his Cairn Terrier Flint. Although everything in this book reminded me why I wouldn’t ever want a terrier myself, reading about the exploits of someone else’s terrier was delightful. He actually competed with Flint in obedience, up to a reasonably high level. It wasn’t easy, but he was persistent and was ultimately successful (for a terrier, at least). This is all around a great dog book that anyone who loves dogs and especially anyone who loves terriers will enjoy.
June 8, 2021
Great book that includes walking through working with his Cairn Terrier up through the obedience titles. Terriers are hard to train dog and he does it. I mostly gave up on my Westie. He is a great author and I would suggest all of Stanley Coren's books.
Not really a 'training' book, but someone training a dog, especially for AKC obedience trails, would be better off reading this.
Not really a 'training' book, but someone training a dog, especially for AKC obedience trails, would be better off reading this.
May 29, 2021
"Over the course of my life I have come to believe that God has created many types of angels—and some of them bark."
🥺
This is not a 'how-to' book (which I appreciated! there's far too many of those out there!). This is about Coren's relationship with Flint and how Flint influenced Coren's view on behavior (both on animals and humans). It emphasizes how Coren dealt with dog ownership and dog training--and how this responsibility affects one's marriage, career, and overall mindset in life.
I saw the author on Psychology Today, so I wanted to read his book this year. I was also interested in Coren's colleagues in psychology such as Leon Festinger. 🧠
I took my time with this, because I wanted to extend my time with Flint. 🥺Even though the book talks about terriers in great detail, I think it's still relevant for anyone who lives with other dog breeds! 🐩🐕🐕🦺
"Dogs are not suns that radiate their light over vast distances, but rather candles that illuminate the small spaces in which we live—the spaces in which we feel. When they are gone, only those who lived in their limited light recognize that the world has become a bit darker."
This is not a 'how-to' book (which I appreciated! there's far too many of those out there!). This is about Coren's relationship with Flint and how Flint influenced Coren's view on behavior (both on animals and humans). It emphasizes how Coren dealt with dog ownership and dog training--and how this responsibility affects one's marriage, career, and overall mindset in life.
I saw the author on Psychology Today, so I wanted to read his book this year. I was also interested in Coren's colleagues in psychology such as Leon Festinger. 🧠
I took my time with this, because I wanted to extend my time with Flint. 🥺Even though the book talks about terriers in great detail, I think it's still relevant for anyone who lives with other dog breeds! 🐩🐕🐕🦺
"Dogs are not suns that radiate their light over vast distances, but rather candles that illuminate the small spaces in which we live—the spaces in which we feel. When they are gone, only those who lived in their limited light recognize that the world has become a bit darker."
January 23, 2018
Born to Bark: My Adventures with an Irrepressible and Unforgettable Dog by Stanley Coren is a delight to read. Educated at the University of Pennsylvania (undergrad) and Stanford (Ph.D.), Coren gives a brief account of his own life to help readers understand his interest and love of dogs. He entwines his own life experiences with the antics and training of this particularly entertaining, personable dog. Readers can empathise with many of the problems and obstacles Coren faced, but they can also glean excellent tips for training their own dogs.
One of the most interesting aspects of Coren's personal relationships is the attitude of his wife toward the dog named Flint that she gifted him prior to their marriage. Coren fell in love with Flint, but his wife did not. In fact, the cover notes indicate that the following Christmas, her gift to him was a shotgun! He claims that friends believe the two gifts to be intimately related. The woman not only didn't care for Flint, she detested him.
That alone is not a spoiler; it's a teaser. Flint was a joy and challenge to his master, and he was dearly loved. By the end of the book, readers will adore the crazy little fireball, too. Coren writes with the insight of a psychologist, and he elicits laughter and tears as he skillfully describes personality quirks, behavior, events, and the outcomes Flint's playful attitude.
If you like dogs, and you enjoy entertaining narratives, this book is for you. Grab a copy of Born to Bark and enjoy.
One of the most interesting aspects of Coren's personal relationships is the attitude of his wife toward the dog named Flint that she gifted him prior to their marriage. Coren fell in love with Flint, but his wife did not. In fact, the cover notes indicate that the following Christmas, her gift to him was a shotgun! He claims that friends believe the two gifts to be intimately related. The woman not only didn't care for Flint, she detested him.
That alone is not a spoiler; it's a teaser. Flint was a joy and challenge to his master, and he was dearly loved. By the end of the book, readers will adore the crazy little fireball, too. Coren writes with the insight of a psychologist, and he elicits laughter and tears as he skillfully describes personality quirks, behavior, events, and the outcomes Flint's playful attitude.
If you like dogs, and you enjoy entertaining narratives, this book is for you. Grab a copy of Born to Bark and enjoy.
May 11, 2018
If you read only one book about dogs...this is the one!
I love dogs. Because of this love, I have read a serious number of books about them. Most ‘dog’ books are stories of the writer’s relationship with their dog or dogs. A few have insight into the relationship between we humans and our special four footed friends. However this is a very special book. You can, if you wish, learn how to design your own training ‘tricks’ for many different goals. This information is beautifully shared by the author, not in a How To format, but as he shares how he arrived at each training necessity and then slowly developed a series of steps that allowed him to get his dog to be successful. It is a warm and endearing story that leaves the reader with a sense of having acquired a new body of knowledge about our dogs. I shall be giving this book to friends as a gift at every opportunity.
I love dogs. Because of this love, I have read a serious number of books about them. Most ‘dog’ books are stories of the writer’s relationship with their dog or dogs. A few have insight into the relationship between we humans and our special four footed friends. However this is a very special book. You can, if you wish, learn how to design your own training ‘tricks’ for many different goals. This information is beautifully shared by the author, not in a How To format, but as he shares how he arrived at each training necessity and then slowly developed a series of steps that allowed him to get his dog to be successful. It is a warm and endearing story that leaves the reader with a sense of having acquired a new body of knowledge about our dogs. I shall be giving this book to friends as a gift at every opportunity.
January 15, 2016
Though I did not care for the author as a person, I did enjoy this book very much. A cairn terrier named Flint is the main star, but there were also many other dogs and even a few cats that added to the story.
Besides being an unfaithful cheater,[which IMO his editor should have told him to leave that info out of the book], this guy is so weird that it almost threw me off reading anymore, but I was just having too much fun reading about the 4 legged characters to stop! I read in one sitting, because I couldn't put it down.
I think all dog lovers would enjoy this book.
Besides being an unfaithful cheater,[which IMO his editor should have told him to leave that info out of the book], this guy is so weird that it almost threw me off reading anymore, but I was just having too much fun reading about the 4 legged characters to stop! I read in one sitting, because I couldn't put it down.
I think all dog lovers would enjoy this book.
August 23, 2023
it's a fantastic book for dog lovers. it's like a book made in Heaven for dog lovers. the book is all dogs, more dogs, more dogs, dog stuff, dog everyday life incidents, heart warming moments with dogs. all dogs. then come the main character Flint (who is also on the cover). some would say Flint didn't arrive till 1/3 of the book but that's ok. you need to know Coren's background in order to fully appreciate Flint's paw print in his heart. since Coren is a dog behavioural expert (i.e. psychologist) there are excepts in the book talking about dog behaviours and how to teach your dog stuff in a sequence that your dog will understand. those excepts literally are like from PSY101 textbooks but they are welcomed (to me at least).
my only word of caution is with dogs, you form relationships. with relationships there are beginnings and ends. it can be just separation, it can also be the rainbow bridge. you will come across them every now and then in the book (my record was tearing up at page 6). and the last chapter is difficult.
other than that, enjoy the book. if you have a dog, give your furry kid a hug after each chapter. and enjoy the time you can spend with him/her/them.
my only word of caution is with dogs, you form relationships. with relationships there are beginnings and ends. it can be just separation, it can also be the rainbow bridge. you will come across them every now and then in the book (my record was tearing up at page 6). and the last chapter is difficult.
other than that, enjoy the book. if you have a dog, give your furry kid a hug after each chapter. and enjoy the time you can spend with him/her/them.
April 13, 2018
É uma pena que a primeira metade do livro seja desperdiçada a descrever um correpio de cães, que entraram e sairam da vida do autor, a um ritmo que eu acho completamente fora do normal. Mais desiludida fiquei ao constatar o que acabou por suceder ao cão da família, aquando o divórcio do autor, com a primeira mulher. Custa-me aceitar que este senhor tenha conseguido a proeza de ter 2 mulheres detestáveis na sua vida, já que Joan, a segunda esposa, basicamente odiou Flint durante toda a sua vida. Eu jamais conseguiria conviver com uma pessoa assim.
Em contrapartida, quando realmente Flint nos é apresentado, embarcamos numa viagem muito divertida, através de todos os treinos, truques, ensinamentos e tropelias deste menino.
Gostava de ter lido este livro mais cedo, já que também tenho um terrier. Fez-se muita luz na minha cabeça, a cada página que lia.
Nesse ponto de vista, aconselho a leitura.
Em contrapartida, quando realmente Flint nos é apresentado, embarcamos numa viagem muito divertida, através de todos os treinos, truques, ensinamentos e tropelias deste menino.
Gostava de ter lido este livro mais cedo, já que também tenho um terrier. Fez-se muita luz na minha cabeça, a cada página que lia.
Nesse ponto de vista, aconselho a leitura.
May 10, 2018
An excellent book about a cairn terrier. Of course we now have our third cairn so I might be a bit prejudiced! But I have read other books by Dr. Stanley Coren and have always found them to be interesting and good sources of information. If you want to read good books about dogs, read any books by this author. If you want to laugh and cry and read a real feel-good book, start with Born to Bark.
January 23, 2021
Beautiful memoir. The description is misleading because it implies that this book is about Stan’s relationship with Flint. It’s not. If you’ve watched Marley and me then you probably only remember how Marley ruined everything and eventually died. You don’t remember the nuances of Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston’s relationship. This book is the opposite. I don’t really remember much about Flint but I remember the anecdotes from Stans life.
November 5, 2023
#RunAwayTbrNovembro23#N.E.W.T.S#NotaACareofMagicalCreatures
Não foi o meu livro de animais preferido mas tinha-o há muitos anos na minha estante e não me lembrava se o tinha lido antes mas como precisava de um livro com um animal na capa, para os NEWTS, preferi optar por este em vez de abrir mais um livro no portátil que só possa ler em casa.
Ainda assim emocionei-me, ri e vibrei com este pequeno cão e a sua familia.
Não foi o meu livro de animais preferido mas tinha-o há muitos anos na minha estante e não me lembrava se o tinha lido antes mas como precisava de um livro com um animal na capa, para os NEWTS, preferi optar por este em vez de abrir mais um livro no portátil que só possa ler em casa.
Ainda assim emocionei-me, ri e vibrei com este pequeno cão e a sua familia.
May 10, 2022
Stanley Coren's autobiography may well be his best book. Many accounts of the man-dog relationship make for shallow and uninteresting reads. This book is not one of them. Even if it doesn't become your favourite, it will most definitely remain in your memory for long, as it perfectly captures the true feeling of appreciation toward the unique connection we share with canines.
November 25, 2022
I liked the parts about the dog but found the author to be rather condescending and patronizing, frequently towards women. The way he describes his wife and her relationship to the dog the book is about makes you wonder why he stayed married to someone so unpleasant. Not really a very enjoyable book.
October 11, 2020
This book is a memoir of Stanley's life. His focus is on the period where Flint is coming to his life. It's a very well written book that gives insides and explains his love an future dedication to dog's psychology.
April 4, 2018
Entertaining
April 6, 2018
Wonderful and funny.
March 25, 2020
4.5*, very sweet book from someone who truly loves dogs-a little too much detail on some of the training (for me), otherwise a good book!
June 19, 2020
I loved reading this book as a child, it really made a lasting impression on me and probably was the first book that i ever cried for.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews