I like to think I’m a pretty fit dog. I mean I exercise regularly, I try to eat a healthy meal (aside from that 1/2 a hoagie I stole off the dining room table the other day….but that hardly counts), and I’m always ready for fun adventures!
So when I recently caught sight of the TV show, American Ninja Warrior, I was totally hooked! I mean I could EASILY get through those tough obstacle courses.
Half the battle is having flair anyway, and I totally have that covered!
Unfortunately American Ninja Warrior doesn’t accept dog submissions. But, that wasn’t going to stop me from having a little fun of my own, because I invented AMERICAN BARN WARRIOR….
Just as challenging, and with equal amounts of flair, American Barn Warrior is going to be the next big thing.
Hay Bale obstacles, trenches, and perhaps a horse or two….it’s not for the faint of heart (or those of you who didn’t eat your wheaties today!).
So what do you think, are you up for the challenge? Do you think you could master my American Barn Warrior Challenge?
It’s been a while since I shared much about my ongoing agility training. The fact is, I actually haven’t been to any training classes since last year, mostly I blame it on my mom because her schedule got too hectic to take me.
But even though I may not be taking regular classes, that doesn’t mean that I’m not doing a little training on the side, because….
Agility is a great way to keep me muscled and fit, plus it’s fun too! Early this Spring my mom decided to move all my agility equipment out to the farm so that we’d have more room to practice. And you know what, I completely forgot to share with you this fun little video of me running the agility course in the horse arenagiant sandbox.
Obviously I was a bit rusty, but not too bad! I’ll just have to keep up with even more practicing.
If you’d like to find out more about how much fun agility is for you and your dog, you can check out some of my old posts.
So I packed up my car with all the tools necessary to put on an awesome performance and headed south 2 hours to help support the dachshunds in need!
I brought along a lot of my fun goodies from my shop, which did you know purchases from also help to support the animal rescues as I donate a portion of my sales every year to my favorite animal rescues?
Mom and Dad managed to get everything set up so nicely for me, despite the fact that they were both fighting nasty colds. But hey, the show must go on!
It turned out to be an unusually hot day (for April) with temperatures reaching into the 80’s. So if you caught me lounging around on Sunday – it’s mostly because I wasn’t quite used to the heat!
But when it came time to perform I pulled it together and drew a fantastic crowd to watch me perform!
I performed my skit from last year’s event, with a few added in tricks that I had learned in the past few weeks. Like my beg!
And also rolling my barrel!
The crowd always seems to enjoy the part where my super self jumps through the death defying hoops!
But I’m pretty sure one of my all-time crowd-favorite tricks will always be playing dead. Don’t worry, I always survive this trick!
Here’s a little video of some of the highlights from my performances:
After my first performance of the day I took a short nap in the car (with my fan on) so that I could have the energy to perform again. Sorry to anyone who was looking for me, but a celebrity needs his beauty sleep!
After I was fully rested I was ready to mix and mingle with all the other fabulous dachshunds that attended the event!
I sniffed a whole lotta butts, and enjoyed meeting the HUGE variety of dachshunds that came. From smooth haired to long haired and every color you can imagine!
I even obliged to take the obligatory fan photos!
There was so much to do at the Spring Doxie Fest that I wished I could have tried it all. From wiener dog races, to a sand pit and there was even a flyball demonstration and an agility course.
I had fun watching a talented doxie run the flyball course, and later I got to run through the agility course myself! Check out the instagram video below:
As you can imagine my 2 hour car ride home from the Spring Doxie Fest looked something like this:
I had a blast and was thrilled to help a good cause. It was great meeting some of my fans and I loved being able to show everyone my tricks!
For those of you that attended, what was your favorite part about the Spring Doxie Fest?
As you may already know I have been taking agility training classes for a long time now. I have yet to ever compete, and someday I might, but mostly I just enjoy the exercise and mental stimulation.
However, despite my love of running the courses, sometimes I have off days too. For example last week I was a little off my game. Having just been to the vet for a nail trim (sort of stressful for me) and having to wait extra long in my crate for my turn on the course (stressful as well when you aren’t a huge fan of the crate), I had pretty much worn myself out from worrying by the time it was my turn to run the course.
I tried my best, but I was just a bit distracted (hence why I missed a few obstacles and did some very poorly executed weave poles) and much much slower on the course than normal. But hey, we’re all allowed to have off days – perhaps next week at class I’ll have a little more pep in my step!
Unknown to me until recently there is this whole world out there of secret dog agility toys. Toys designed to encourage dogs to jump, run, and soar over the agility equipment. Toys that any dog would love – regardless of whether or not they love dog agility too.
So I convinced my mom that since I’m training so hard in my weekly dog agility classes that I MUST have some of these dog agility training toys. So mom purchased me a few goodies from Clean Run.
This jackpot and tug toy is designed to win over even the toughest of critics. I only use this one when I’m training, but it’s mighty mighty fun to “kill”.
These handy toys are called food tubes. Stuff them with a yummy treats (dried hotdogs were my choice) and then you can shake them to get your dogs attention and even toss them. The handy top makes dispensing them super easy (which is totally my kind of toy).
My favorite of the toys is the rip n tug treat dispensing ball. You put your dog’s favorite treats in the center, then velco it closed.
I’ve been having a blast playing fetch with this ball, then ripping it apart to grab my treats.
Now where exactly has this hidden world of dog agility toys been all my life! It’s a magical magical world, and as I’ve already told mom, I think I need to test them all now!
P.S. if you’re interested in dog agility and want to try the fun activity with your dog too, make sure you check out our sponsor The Dog Agility Shop, for great materials to make inexpensive DIY agility equipment for your own backyard.
Disclosure: I was not paid or perked to write about these toys or this company. I purchased these toys with my own monies, and simply wanted to share the goodness with all of you!
Now that I’m back to my regular weekly agility classes (after mom had knee surgery and I had to take a little break) I’ve jumped right back in where I left off and I’m now doing full courses! I’m still a bit of a novice and have plenty to learn, but I’m having loads of fun running the courses!
So what do you think? Does it look like I’m having a blast?!
Well when winter rolled around I had to pack up my poles since it was just too cold to practice outdoors. That was until my dad surprised me for Christmas with a set of homemade 2×2 Weave Poles.
I’ve been using my set all winter, and I’m proud to say I can now weave, but I completely forgot to share how they were made with all of you! So better late than never – here’s my tutorial for building your own set of indoor 2×2 Weave Poles!
Step 1: Cut your 3/4 inch PVC pipe into 6 pieces that are 38 inches in length. Then place the PVC caps on one end of all your poles. Then you can stripe your poles with colored duct tape to make them more visible.
Step 2: Cut your Steelworks Plated Slotted Flats into three 36″ length pieces and six 9″ length pieces.
Step 3: Drill a hole the same size as your carriage bolts into the bottom of the PVC Plugs.
Step 4: Place the 9″ Slotted Flat pieces on opposite sides and 6 inches from either end of your 36″ length slotted flat pieces. Place your carriage bolts through from underneath to hold them together, with the PVC plugs on top. Add your washers and hex nuts to the inside of the PVC plugs and tighten to hold them together.
Step 5: Slip the PVC couplings onto the bottom of your poles and then slide them into the PVC plugs that are attached to the Slotted Flat pieces.
Step 6: Lay out the Weave Pole Placer as a guide as to where to place your poles (you can opt to leave it under the poles or remove it after they are placed). Your poles will work best on a carpeted surface.
For a quick tutorial on how to teach your dog the weave poles using the 2×2 method check out the video HERE. You may want to find a dog agility trainer or class in your area for more detailed instructions.
If you would like to make a set of outdoor weave poles, check out my tutorial HERE.
As you probably know, I’ve been taking weekly agility training classes since last spring. I’ve come pretty far in my training, but I still have lots to learn until I’m ready to compete.
Last week I had a visitor at class…..which means I have video proof that I’m an agility dog! Yay!
This week I decided that the teeter totter was a bit scary – I mean do you really blame me, that thing catapults you into the sky! But mom helped me get through my fears, and hopefully I’ll be back to darting across it at super hero speed just like I had been doing for the past several months.
Anyone else taking dog agility classes? What’s your favorite obstacle? Mine is the A-frame!
Every week I attend a dog agility class with mom at the Dog Training Center of Chester County. After several months of classes now I’m really starting to get the hang of things.
Waiting for my turn on the course is one of the hardest things about going to class, it’s just too much fun!
I’m currently working really hard on learning the weave poles, it’s like this crazy mind puzzle that I’m trying to figure out. Any day now I’ll crack it!
Recently I logged some time practicing the chute. I’m a big fan of the chute as you can see….it’s almost like I’m underground burrowing for groundhogs. Total agility heaven for us doxies.
So any of my fans also dog agility stars? Any favorite obstacles?
This post was sponsored by the Dog Agility Shop. They specialize in hard to find agility items at the lowest prices on the internet. From jump cups and pole placers to full package starter sets, they are your one stop shop for all of your agility equipment needs.
As you probably know, I’ve been taking weekly agility training classes since last spring. I’ve come pretty far in my training, but I still have lots to learn until I’m ready to compete.
