Merle's Door: Lessons from a Freethinking Dog in Around the World in 80 Books

Nov 18, 2008 AmyAmy rated it it was amazing

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National Bestseller. Merle and Ted found each other in the Utah desert. Merle was about ten months old, surviving on his own, and looking for someone the hang his heart on. Forty-one-year-old Ted was studying animals, particularly wolves. The training went both ways. Merle reshaped Ted’s ideas about the complexity of a dog’s mind by showing him how a dog’s intelligence could be expanded by allowing more decisions. Ted Kerasote takes us on a journey they shared. He explores why the dog-human bond National Bestseller. Merle and Ted found each other in the Utah desert. Merle was about ten months old, surviving on his own, and looking for someone the hang his heart on. Forty-one-year-old Ted was studying animals, particularly wolves. The training went both ways. Merle reshaped Ted’s ideas about the complexity of a dog’s mind by showing him how a dog’s intelligence could be expanded by allowing more decisions. Ted Kerasote takes us on a journey they shared. He explores why the dog-human bond is so intense and how people and dogs communicate. Using his research from study on wolves, he shows how wolves treat maturing pups as partners rather than subordinates, and explains how sharing leadership with your dog, rather than being its alpha, can help to create a healthier more self-reliant and better socialized companion, contrary to popular belief.

For dog lovers everywhere. What I like about this book is that it goes against today's "rage" of thinking, that all dogs must be on a leash at all times, that dogs are constantly trying to be dominant, and that we should always always ALWAYS be "pack leader." I stand in a huge minority when I have never, from when I was a small child, adopted this belief. We SHARE the earth with dogs. I'm sorry, but I don't believe that humans are best. To never let a dog roam and to always leash them is cruel. Dogs (especially bad doggies) sometimes what to rule the household and yes, you should discipline a dog and not allow the dog to be rude, but dogs don't go around thinking "dominant dominant dominant" nor do they test their alpha ability non-stop. I think a more accurate dog mind is something like "I'm hungry... I wanna eat... play... I'm going to sleep... I wanna' eat... ooh, a squirrel-I-can-think-of-nothing-else-right-now... Yay, Daddy's home!"

This book FINALLY (and with a revolution of thought) shows a man who RESPECTS (not dominates) dogs, who wants to share the world with them in more of mutual partnership and respect for another species. Ceaser, love ya', but hey! ...more

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Dec 26, 2010 Stacey rated it really liked it

I loved loved loved this book . . . Until the last few chapters. Kerasote does a wonderful job integrating his discussion of personal experiences with a great dog both with scientific background and his own ethical and lifestyle priorities. I listened to this as an audiobook on a road trip with my husband and our own quirky, wonderful dog, which made it extra fun. I would have given this book five stars hands down were it not for the last few chapters, which amounted to three or so hours of exce ...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Kathie rated it really liked it

Well researched book describing Merle's life with Ted Kerasote. Talks about origins of dogs, the dog-human partnership and how dogs think. Their relationship evolves as Ted allows Merle to exercise choices - become a freer thinker and equal partner in his life. Not sure this would work in metro Detroit with my two small dogs but it was an interesting concept. Ted stated "Dogs with choices exercise their individual tastes. Such behavior destroys the illusion that a dog's love is unconditional but ...more

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Oct 03, 2012 Lori rated it it was amazing

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LOVE LOVE LOVE this story! I felt like Merle and I were family.Anyone with any empathy at all will enjoy this story of love.

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Dec 14, 2013 Mike rated it it was amazing

Wi a strong focus on behavior and personality, i found this exploration into the life of Merle, compelling, fascinating and moving. With the shortness of a dogs life and the ability of the whole to be encompassed by their human partners, it was a story of a life well lived, and well told of. Highly recommended for dog lovers or those thinking they might want to be sometime.

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Dec 27, 2010 AmyAmy rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

I found this book to be fascinating. I love how it challenged the “DOGS MUST BE LEASHED” and “DOGS MUST ALWAYS BE SUBSERVIENT” view that many have, that dog trainers enforce. We humans are a most arrogant race.

If you “slave” another living thing, be it human or not, your return will not be as great as if you love and respect that living thing.

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