Camp Merricks

08/27/2025

Today's adoptable dogs from Humane Society of Amherst County!

Oakley, Mackey, and Tyson enjoying the beautiful day at Camp.

All three of these boys are super nice and available for adoption.

Oakley (5 year old Shepherd mix)Mickey (2 year old Bully Mix)Tyson (3year old Bully/Shepherd Mix)

08/17/2025

Sunday FUNday at Camp!

08/16/2025

Training Update on Amber!

If you were following our page last week you saw that training dog, Amber, jumped our fences and went on a walkabout. Thankfully she came back a couple hours later and went home safely. Amber came to Camp for training to build confidence and help her overcome fear reactivity.

A little background: Amber is just a year old. She was adopted from a Humane Society (not one we work directly with) after being transferred in from another area and weaning a litter of puppies. When her Mom first met her, Amber was very timid. The staff at the shelter told Mom with "love, patience, and time" Amber would come around. While that sounds great, unfortunately, that isn't really how fear reactivity is overcome.

After two months together, with Amber getting more and more reactive to dogs, people, bikes... pretty much anything that wasn't her Mom, in her home... Mom contacted us.

Over the course of three weeks, we trained with Amber and her Mom, teaching them how to build a better relationship based on Mom's leadership and Amber's trust. This didn't happen with affection, treats, redirection and patience. It happened by creating clear boundaries, structure, and defined consequences for unwanted behavior.

We determined what motivators work best for Amber.
We taught her to stop and observe and trust we would keep her safe.

We introduced Amber to sound dogs that gave her better experiences.

We tried different tools and found the one that focused her attention and got the best results.

Then we taught her Mom how to do what we do.

Amber's Mom deserves so much credit for recognizing she didn't know what to do and finding the right help. She told us she was so overwhelmed at times by Amber's reactivity that she wondered if she'd made a mistake. So many people just give up and return the dog. Not Amber’s Mom. She worked, even though it was hard, and there was a lot to learn. She kept working. There is still more to learn, but SO MUCH PROGRESS has been made!
In our session this morning, we were able to walk the Piney River trail with dozens of runners, bicyclists, cows, wildlife and a dog Amber didn't know without Amber barking, lunging, twirling, and acting crazy. She walked calmly and smartly right with her Mom, ignoring all those former triggers.

We will continue to work together to improve their relationship. Amber may always have an underlying personality of fear towards the unknown, but now, Amber has learned to look to her Mom for cues. And her Mom has learned how to give her guidance and be her LEADER. We are so proud of how far they’ve come!

08/16/2025

Stop by our shelter this weekend from 11:00 to 6:00! They are open and happy to see you.

08/15/2025

Just a few Happy Campers to start your weekend!

08/14/2025

Let's talk GROOMING!

This is a pretty long post, and a long video. But the video is so good, we had to share. This groomer does a GREAT job of hitting all the important points about owning coated dogs.

We regularly talk to our clients with coated dogs, particularly puppy clients, about the importance of early and regular grooming. Any dog that has a double coat, a long coat, a silky coat, or a poodle or poodle mix coat, is going to need some kind of grooming during its life. In many cases that grooming will most likely need to be done by a professional. Many coat types are not sufficiently cared for with just brushing. And you can brush them wrong – causing discomfort and not actually removing the hair or preventing mats.

A lot of people don't understand the necessary grooming requirements of the dogs they bring into their families. In our rescue work we’ve seen terrible conditions of dogs with matted coats. This video showcases a husky whose genetics have been manipulated over several generations to create this massive, long, coat that MUST be properly groomed. The condition it is in is not from a long time of neglect. The dog has been regularly groomed previously.
All double coated dogs will shed profusely and need to be properly brushed or blown out. German Shepherds, Huskies, and Great Pyrenees are super popular and need regularly brushing or blow outs.

Poodles and poodle mixes may not "shed" in your house, but they absolutely shed hair just like any other dog. You just don't see it because it's held close to their skin and creates mats that can become heavy, painful, and infected if not properly cared for.

Shih tzus, Pomeranians, Havanese, Yorkies... ALL of the long-haired toy breeds need proper grooming. Without it you end up with BIG issues including:

- Matting that pulls and tears the skin and creates infections.
- Hair and wax buildup in ears that impact hearing and cause infections.
- Hair, dirt and f***l matter buildup in paws that impact the dog’s ability to walk and cause infections. Do your dog's feet smell like corn chips? That's a yeast infection.
- Lack of hygiene tidy grooms result in f***l matter and urine becoming stuck to hair and fur. Left long enough, the dogs have difficulty defecating because their a**s is impacted with f***l matter. We have had to clean these dogs on numerous occasions, and that's no fun for anyone.

Bottom line: If you want a dog that has anything but a slick, single coat, be prepared for some kind of grooming tasks or expenses. And the more hair they have, the more grooming they will probably need. It can be expensive, but more importantly, it is a health concern. And finding a good groomer is getting challenging.

Before you get your next dog, consider the grooming needs of that dog and if you truly can take care of them or afford to pay a groomer. If you can't, move on to a dog that doesn't require that kind of care. You AND the dog will be thankful!

08/05/2025

AMBER CAME BACK!!! Thank you!

Piney River, Nelson County Community! We need your help!

Amber is a training client that jumped our six foot fence. She is a year old, Aussie mix who is VERY skittish. She is afraid of most people and dogs. Her Mom is here trying to help get her back, but we need help if anyone has seen her.

PLEASE DO NOT CHASE HER. She may get in a car if the door is left open.

We appreciate our community's help! If you see her, text or call us at 434-981-7538.

07/31/2025

Little Dude has been adopted! We are so happy. Now we need to get Tyson adopted. He's darn near perfect.

07/24/2025

Some of today's Happy Campers! Sunshine, fresh water, and green grass has everyone smiling!

07/24/2025

Going to be hot again. Be sure to check on neighbors and keep your animals safe with plenty of shade and water, or inside whenever possible.

HEAT WAVE, THEN…

…Computer models are suggesting a strongish cold front (by summer standards) pushing southward from Canada during early August.

A big cool down for the Northern Plains, Great Lakes and Northeast would result. Right now, I’m uncertain how much cool air reaches Virginia, but the pattern change is probably the most exciting part of this forecast!

But first:

• THURSDAY could be the most comfortable day for the rest of July. Cool morning, then reaching 85 to 90 during afternoon. Light wind.

• FRIDAY: I’ve added a chance for a stray afternoon shower. HOT and humid. Heat index nears 100.

• SATURDAY-SUNDAY: Both days are hot and humid. Sunday is more breezy. Watching for afternoon t-storms to develop, but the rain coverage is low. Many locations avoid the rain.

• NEXT WEEK: 90s for highs. Uncomfortable Heat Index.

• EARLY AUGUST: Awaiting a cold front. It’s a mystery right now how much we’ll cool off and which day the cold front arrives, but check back for updates.

- George

07/23/2025

Some of the Humane Society of Amherst County adoptable dogs enjoying Camp.