Gail S. (agility4me) reviewed Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog on + 58 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 9
I've been a dog trainer for years and currently I'm deep into the dog training world. There's actually a lot of good information in here and I found the stories of the outdoors calming to read even when it referred to hunting. I think he's got a great sense of understanding what goes on in a dog's head and that you can learn from this book while also enjoying it. I told all my "dog friends" that they ought to read it for it's value on socializing dogs and how it works.
Helpful Score: 7
I'm normally some that will finish a book no matter what, but this book is too dry for me. The scientific parts of the book are thrown and go on too long for my taste. Much of it I already knew. As the daughter of a dog trainer much of what he says makes me cringe a bit. I worry that people are going to read this book and think that their dog will act like Merle. I understand that this book is more of a tribute to a dog that he loved than to actual life with a dog. I just hope people aren't reading this as a training how to manual. This is his interpretation of why he thought Merle did the things he did.
Helpful Score: 4
As a dog lover, I enjoyed this book immensely. This book combined the latest research on canine companions and the personal story of Merle, an amazing dog that lived in the Wyoming Grand Tetons National Park with his person, Ted. As an owner of a labrador, it makes me question the suggestions of trainers that humans need to be the alpha dog in the house, because for many dogs, being an equal is desired. Also, it gives insight into the health care provided for dogs. Ted also suggests that dogs need immense mental stimulation and free time off leash every day. This book will touch your heart as it delves into the reason that dogs are the most devoted, loyal companion. My only criticism is that Ted tends to anthropomorphize Merle, who is all too human. Winner Outdoor Book of the Year.
Helpful Score: 3
This was an EXCELLENT read! In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I read it three times and I normally do not read a book more than once! The story is of Ted Kerasote and his found dog, Merle. The ending is extremely sad, of course, because furry little people do not live nearly long enough. Reading of Ted's devotion to Merle in his twilight years was extremely uplifting.
Laura R. (isitfriday) reviewed Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog on + 170 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I liked the book, being a dog-person i enjoy reading about dogs and i appreciated the insight to the mind of Merle, and the history of domesticated dogs was enlightening. I wasnt a huge fan of the author, i felt his approach to being a dog owner was a bit on the lax side, and he was lucky Merle was not hit by a car or attacked by wildlife or shot by a farmer. I was also a bit taken aback by the hunting aspects of the book. The end of the book was very hard to read for me, having lost my golden retriever after 14 and a half years of being by my side- i felt Merle suffered at the end and that made me very sad. All in all it was a good book and I'm glad I read it.
