Camp Merricks

04/30/2026

It's been a while since we posted Happy Campers! Today is beautiful, and the dogs are loving it.

04/27/2026

Welcome, Frannie to Camp!

Frannie is ready to meet you and show you how amazing she is! At just a year old, Frannie is full of life and vigor. She loves racing around the yard playing with other dogs. She jumps high, runs fast, and tries to engage every dog in the yard in play. If they don't play with her, she barks at them to change their mind. For this reason, Frannie truly needs a suitable playmate in her new home. It can be a larger dog, but has to be one with the energy and play drive Frannie craves.

Frannie won't be happy with leash walks or ball tosses alone. She needs a friend, and a big fenced yard to keep her happy and healthy. She loves to play with toys and will chase after them when you throw them. A flirt pole is excellent fun for this girl's terrier instincts. Frannie is a muscular 15 lbs. She's capable of all types of physical activities and would probably enjoy hiking and rock climbing. Dog sports? Check! See Frannie's play style in this video: https://youtube.com/shorts/tAmcv572g4U?feature=share

Frannie does well with other dogs but can be obnoxious in her attempts to engage them in play. Older dogs or smaller dogs are probably not a great match for her, as she will constantly pester for them to play. Small children will need to be monitored with Frannie as she will most likely see them as play mates as well and could scratch or nibble them.

Frannie is house trained and crate trained. She hasn't quite picked up the dog door yet but is "almost" there. Frannie is available for adoption from New Rattitude Rat Terrier Rescue & Adoption

04/27/2026

Say hello to Petey! This six and a half year old Rat/Chi mix is ready for his next home. Petey found himself in New Rattitude's care after his owner passed away. We expect Petey was the only pet in the home because he craves time next to a person. He is very happy napping on the couch with a person. Petey doesn't really like to share his space and attention with other dogs, so an adopter without other dogs would be ideal. If his new family has other dogs, they will need to be sure to manage Petey's desire to keep things to himself.

Petey is a great size at 15 lbs. He is still active enough for daily walks, but chill enough he doesn't need a big yard to run around in. He enjoys toys and will chew on a bone quietly. Petey is ready to go: fully house trained, dog door trained, and crate trained.

Petey is available for adoption from New Rattitude Rat Terrier Rescue & Adoption

04/07/2026

When I opened Camp Merricks, I specifically did NOT want to train dogs. Why not?

Because the majority of training dogs is actually getting the people involved to understand what they need to do differently to affect change in the dog's behavior. People don't like to hear they are the problem, and we are not very good at changing OUR behavior.

Then add the inflexible ideology of "Positive Only/Force Free" training that makes owners feel like they are destroying the relationship with their dogs if they give a good correction or use a certain tool and it can be frustrating.

Come to Camp and watch how the dogs relate to me. Watch my own dogs. I don't tolerate poor behaviors and will give corrections when they are needed, at whatever level they are needed. The dogs follow me everywhere. They are happy to see me.

I have worked with shelter dogs and client dogs who were failed by positive only training. These dogs ended up on drugs, were returned multiple times or were seen by multiple trainers. Their problems only got worse. Why?

One simple idea: reward what you want, correct what you don't.

I believe in using the training method and tools that fit the dog and human coming to me for help. That starts with positive reinforcement of wanted behavior and corrections of unwanted behaviors. Sometimes dogs need to be uncomfortable and stressed to learn they can do something or they can cope through something. That isn't abuse. It's teaching resilience and problem solving.

I use all tools, including prong collars and e-collars. Does every dog need those tools? No. But for those that do, it's life-changing.

There are still days that I wonder why I continue to offer training. And then a dog and human have a breakthrough that improves their relationship because of the work we do, and I know it's still worth it.

When looking for a trainer, do some research into ALL types of training. Meet trainers and talk to their previous clients if you can. Find someone who you are comfortable with, and that your dog responds to well. Most importantly, understand the dog/human relationship is tens of thousands of years old and that relationship was largely a working one until recently. Dogs are far tougher and more resilient than modern minds would have you think.

This is a good article with another trainer's perspective.

No. They wouldn’t. Dexter had become one of the millions of dogs relinquished to shelters across the country each year. He could have easily been one of the two million dogs to never leave. He was already on strike two, you see, and he was only ten months old.

04/02/2026

Almost Home: Nelson Co SPCA needs kitten fosters! They provide everything. You just provide a safe, quiet place for them to grow and get strong.

They even provide a cage to keep them in. Reach out at 434-263-7722.

Guess what? It's kitten season!

We have mommas with babies and a soon-to-be momma who need a safe place to raise their babies until at least 8 weeks old. We are in need of fosters for these three and more to come. Join the foster team and apply to foster at nelsonspca.org. Having kittens in a foster home is much healthier. Help make the beginning of their life a success! If you have any questions, please call 434-263-7722 or email [email protected].

04/02/2026

Here at Camp, we require you get a f***l check done EVERY SIX MONTHS. A f***l check is a test of your dog's p**p to make sure they are free of internal parasites.

- Hookworm
- Roundworm
- Whipworm
- Tapeworm

All of these parasites can live in your dog's GI tract and can be passed on to other dogs through their p**p. Even if your dog is on monthly preventives with dewormer included, there are resistant strains of parasites that are not knocked out by the low doses of those preventives.

We regularly have clients who notify us their dog's f***l checks came back positive. Worms are easily picked up anywhere outside your dog may go... dog parks, hiking trails, down by the river, your friend's back yard. And if your dog likes eating p**p (their own or another animals') the risk increases substantially.

Your dog will not be allowed at Camp if they do not have an updated f***l. We want this to be a reminder that we need those f***l tests every 6 months to ensure everyone is safe and healthy.

Thank you!

03/28/2026

So I did a thing at the Virginia Federation of Humane Societies conference this week. Tried to win the shelter some spay/neuter funds, but didn't. That's okay. It was a great team-building experience.

This is my very first attempt at Karaoke, btw. Next year I'm gonna nail it. ;-)

03/28/2026

Happy Adoption, Mei Mei!

Mei Mei went to her new home on Monday. You may recall she came to us after she and her sister had progressively worsening aggression from Littermate Syndrome.

We found Mei Mei a new home with John. This is the report I got from him yesterday when I checked in to see how things were going:

"Amazing , seamless transition . Very hard to imagine a better match. She ran for about 45 minutes this AM on the back 40 of the community park ( nothing but open fields ) and seemed to be pleasantly tired. Sincerely thank you again for making the match happen as well as all that you and team do at the farm and in the county . John"

The day John picked Mei Mei up they toured Poplar Forest and he said she now had "an interest in Thomas Jefferson and the founding of our country."

And reports from Mei Mei's former family are that the other dog is doing exceptionally well and the household is far more calm and happy.

We do our best to help families find the RIGHT dog for them, but also to help families who genuinely want to do the right thing for their dogs, but for whatever reason (wrong fit, health, expense, moving, etc.) cannot. It does no one any good to demonize responsible pet owners who know they need help to rehome their pets.

I am so happy for everyone involved in this case. A very difficult decision has led to TWO happy families.

03/24/2026

Bear and Raven are really nice dogs. If you would like to meet them, we can facilitate that. They have been through Camp training and daycare.

They are Schnauzer/Chow mixes and about 50 -55 lbs.

COURTSEY LISTING BEAR AND RAVEN ARE NOT IN OUR SHELTER

Meet Bear and Raven. These two sweethearts are looking for a new home where they can play and chill. They do not have to be adopted together. If you are interested, please use the contact information below. THEY ARE NOT IN OUR SHELTER!

03/19/2026

Jill went out on a training appointment and photo shoot at the Blue Ridge Rail Trail today. She is a beautiful dog with excellent manners. She walks on leash and has done very well training. She rides in the car without a problem.

Where are all the people who want a good looking, well-mannered, house-trained, female dog? We've had people ask if she is a lab/hound mix, and honestly she sure could be! Jill is good with other dogs her size, but not small dogs or cats.

She was great with kids at the Sheriff's Office Chili Cook-off this past weekend.

Jill is available from Almost Home: Nelson Co SPCA. See adoption information here: https://nelsonspca.org/adopt/adoption-process.

03/16/2026

Happy Adoption Day, Yogi!

Yogi was with us for several weeks, learning confidence and basic manners. He is a quick study and went to his new home and family yesterday. We will continue to support him and his family with training if needed.

03/16/2026

Mei Mei (May May) is staying with us while we find her a new home. She is available for adoption from Almost Home: Nelson Co SPCA

Mei Mei is a 10 month old English Springer Spaniel who was owner surrendered after her family had to make the heartbreaking decision to separate her from her littermate. We try hard to educate people to NOT get littermates, or even two puppies at the same time. Littermate Syndrome is real, and it can cause a host of issues including aggression between the siblings. This is what happened to Mei Mei and her sister. Her family did the RIGHT thing and asked us for help. Both dogs are doing so much better now that they are separated.

Mei Mei is well behaved with other dogs her size or larger. However, small dogs are not a good match for her. She is house trained and underground fence trained. Mei Mei knows basic obedience and walks well on a leash. We do not know how she is with cats, but controlled introductions should make the difference in whether or not she gets along with them.

Mei Mei was born with some weakness in her right hip. While fostering at Camp Merricks she has gotten plenty of exercise, running in the large yards. This has strengthened the muscles in her hips. When Mei Mei does not get adequate exercise (maintaining muscle mass) she starts to limp and gets soreness in that hip. It is possible as she ages she may need additional veterinary care (perhaps including surgery). At this point, maintaining a healthy weight, getting plenty of exercise, and keeping her on supplements is working well.

For this reason, a fenced yard or jogging partner where Mei Mei can run daily is necessary.