Just yesterday mom snapped this photo of me while Dad was working on a project at the shop. Some may be surprised that I was able to nap through a power drill right by my bed, but there is a really good reason as to why this sort of thing doesn’t bother me. See, my mom and dad are artists and DIYers, which means that power tools are pretty much NO BIG WOOF to me anymore.
Halloween is one of my favorite times of year! I love getting to dress up as something I’m not, and each year my parents help me to make a very special homemade costume. Over the years I’ve been some creative characters like….
And while I can’t spoil this years Halloween costume just yet, I did round up some of my favorite DIY Halloween Pet Costumes from around the web to inspire you.
I’m very lucky in that ever since I can remember mom and dad have allowed me to share their big dog bed with them. Everyone has always slept soundly at night with all of us together (some of us snoring louder than others), but still relatively peacefully.
Then suddenly things changed when I found out we had a 4th family member sharing the big dog bed too (my new little sister), and mom decided she could no longer sleep with me digging my paws into her ribs at night.
Thats when this funny looking pillow called a Snoogle* showed up in our bed. Mom said it was supposed to help her sleep, but after about a week I had commandeered the Snoogle all to myself!
*affiliate link
With a combination of pillows, rolled up blankets and the Snoogle I was now corralled into the center of the bed so that everyone could sleep soundly at night again. That is until Mom decided she wanted her pillow back!
So instead of relegating me to the couch at night (I’m much too important to sleep on the couch!), Mom came up with a DIY Solution so that we could all sleep comfortably again.
Mom made me this super cool bumper type pillow to keep me in the center of the bed at night (and from kicking everyone) so that she could take her pillow back. So far it’s been great, and I’m even enjoying having some of my own space at night too!
Since I’m sure there are a lot of dog’s out there that share the giant dog bed with their humans I thought I would share just how my mom made it:
A DIY Solution for Sharing the Bed with Your Dog!
What you need:
Fabric (We bought 3 yards of sweatpant type material which was plenty enough to make the bumper pictured – but since you could make this in any size you want you might have to adjust how much material you buy)
Ribbon
Scissors
Stuffing (we used some old pillows we had laying around the house)
Sewing Machine & Tread
Step 1: Cut your fabric into 12 inch x 8.5 foot strips. This makes the size pillow you see me pictured with, and if your fabric is not long enough for 8 feet you can cut more than one strip and attach them together (which is what we did). My pillow turned out to be a pretty good size, but mom said if she made it again she might make the thickness a little bigger. Also, you can certainly adjust this size for different sized dogs, bigger sides and longer for big dogs, and maybe a shorter length for smaller dogs.
Step 2: Fold your strips of fabric length wise in half with the inside facing out and stitch along the long side to create a “tube” of fabric.
Step 3: Cut two circles out of your fabric 6 inches in diameter. Again this size can be adjusted depending on how big you plan to make your pillow.
Step 4: Cut a slit in the center of each of the circles for your ribbon to slip though and then attach with the sewing machine.
Step 5: Sew one of the circles onto the end of the fabric tube you created. Make sure if it’s still inside out that you sew the correct side onto the end.
Step 6: Flip your tube of fabric right side out and start to fill with stuffing. Since this pillow is over 8 feet long we found it helpful to use a broom handle to push the stuffing down the the bottom of the fabric so that it was tight and compact.
Now suddenly from my perspective you have a new snake buddy! But we’re not done…
Step 7: Now attach the other circle you cut to the end of your tube. Likely you will have to hand-stitch some of this to close it off completely.
Ta-da! You now have a pillow that can be used to corral your dog anywhere you like. The ties at the bottom are super helpful in keeping the pillow together (so I don’t kick my way out at night).
And as a bonus it can also be used to tie up the sides to make the walls of the pillow higher if need be.
I’ve really been enjoying my new “bed nest” and it’s definitely helped give my entire family a great nights sleep. In fact I’ve gotten so used to sleeping in it that when I had to sleepover at the farm the other night without it that I picked a spot at the end of the bed and curled up out of the way of everyone for the duration of the entire night. I guess I’ve just gotten so used to sleeping more independently that it’s what was most comfortable!
Does your dog share the bed with you at night? Do you think you’d co-sleep better with one of these pillows?
Trips to my local hardware store are a pretty common occurrence for me. I’ve come to look forward to perusing the isles for all the special DIY materials mom and dad are looking for for their next big project.
The employees always seem surprised with how well behaved I am and how unfazed I am with all the loud noises going on in the lumber department.
Every year I like to plant a vegetable garden. After last year’s winter my usual veggie spot was looking a bit sad. Nothing a little gardening re-model couldn’t fix though!
My handy Dad got to work right away with a new plan so mom and I don’t have to pull weeds anymore…woohoo! Mom of course had to sit this one out, since apparently heavy lifting is frowned upon when you’re growing a baby.
Eventually (thanks to dad’s hard work) my new garden boxes started to take shape and it was time to get the dirt! (my favorite part)
I tagged along to help mom and dad pick up garden soil so my plants could grow big and strong.
While dad shoveled all the dirt into the garden boxes I stood guard to make sure no critters got in the way of our hard work. It’s pretty much a full time job.
The soil went in and I could hardly wait to get my plants into the ground. I’ve been saving bits of kibble all year to plant my kibble tree!
With soil in the boxes the garden was looking mostly finished….now it was time to plant!
After mom picked up some plant starts at the store I helped put everything into the boxes. Now all we have to do is wait for them to grow big and strong, and keep the critters from eating them! Don’t worry though, I know just the dog for the job!
Does your dog involve themselves in your home projects like I do?
Now you may recall that way back in July of last year I embarked on a big endeavor to help my mom and dad redo our family kitchen. You see, it wasn’t very pretty to look at from the start…
Closed off and cramped, there wasn’t much room for activities in there, so starting in July my family decided to change all that!
Over months of hard work I helped dad work on demo, electrical, plumbing, painting, and drywall, and I even helped to install the brand-new cabinets.
So while I can’t say the kitchen is 100% complete (is a DIY project ever complete?) as we still have a tile back splash to install, and a few last items to hang on the walls…..it’s done enough that I couldn’t wait to share the finished details with you (oh 8 months later!). So without further ado, here’s my brand- new kitchen!
Of course no kitchen would be complete without an ENTIRE CLOSET filled with all your dog’s gear (I’m pretty sure we all know who rules this household!)
So what do you think? Did my dad not do a super job building my brand-new kitchen? With the exception to the cabinets, countertops & new wood flooring everything was DIY’d, and I’m pretty sure with all the trips to Lowes I made over the past few months that I’m basically an expert in construction now!
Now I’ve got to hit the hardware store and pick out some tile for that backsplash! The work of a DIY Dachshund is never done!
Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by Chewy. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you and your dog will love.
Raise of paws, who likes having their nails trimmed? Raise of hands, who likes trimming their pet’s nails? Just as I thought, no one.
It’s a necessary evil though, because having long nails can cause your pet to walk irregularly which can lead to skeletal problems. And we all know that us dachshunds don’t need any more reasons to have back trouble!
Now if your dog has black nails like I do, I’m sure you spend your life in constant fear of cutting them too short and hitting the quick (a soft cuticle rich in blood vessels and nerves that grows in the center of your dog’s nail). If you nick that tiny little quick your dog will scream out in pain, and yes, there may be blood!
My mom used to trim my nails at home, but over the years I got progressively worse at having them trimmed – so she started to take me to the vet to have them done every few months. Then a few months ago she decided it was high time I got better at having my nails done, so she set out to condition me to actually enjoy having them done!
Interestingly, this new nail trimming method was not with the traditional nail clippers, but instead with a dremel!
Over the past 2 months my mom has been working with me to make me more comfortable with the use of the dremel on my nails. While I wouldn’t say I LOVE it, I tolerate it. It saves me from having to make more trips than necessary to the vet or groomer, saves my mom money, and keeps my nails at a healthy length. It’s a win – win!
So since I’m sure you’re all curious just how my mom trained me to be better about having my nails trimmed, here’s how she did it….
Starting with the nail file, mom used it EVERY SINGLE DAY for 3 weeks to get me used to having my feet and nails handled. She started by picking up a foot and gently sanding my nails for just a few seconds at a time.
Each time I didn’t resist she would use the clicker and then reward me with a small (but yummy treat).
The great thing about these chews is that not only do I love the taste, but they’re also helping to clean my teeth while rewarding me for having my nails done at the same time!
After several weeks of practice with the nail file, mom moved onto the dremel. This time she “sanded” my nails without even turning it on. Again, each time I didn’t resist on a nail she would click and reward me. At the end of the session I’d get my jackpot treat, a Natural Balance Dental Chew.
After another week or so it was time to turn on the dremel. Using a low speed to start she’d do just a few of my nails, making sure to reward me quickly for not resisting at all.
Now once you start using the dremel with it on it’s important to note that you can’t just quickly sand your dog’s nails down in one sitting to the desired length, even if they are ok with it. The quick inside grows with your dog’s nail. So my mom likes to only work on sanding my nails once a week to allow time for the quick of my nail to shorten after the last trimming. (see diagram above for more details)
How short should you keep your pet’s nails? According to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation they should be short enough that they don’t touch the ground when your dog is standing on a flat surface, but long enough to aid the dog when climbing up a hill or digging.
Hear that mom? I need them for digging!
While I still have a ways to go to get mine back to the ideal length, I’m happy to say that after weeks of practice I’m now much more tolerant of having my nails done by dremel. While I very much wish I had gotten a video of the “before”, here’s how good I am at it now…
How is your dog about having their nails trimmed? Have you ever trimmed your pet’s nails with a dremel? Do tell!
Handy Tip: If your dog is resistant to even having their feet touched start without the nail fail and just reward them for letting you touch their feet without pulling away. Also, using a treat that your dog goes crazy over helps too, the better the treat, the more willing they will be to try.
Disclaimer: This post is meant to be informative, but please keep in mind, what works for me may not work for your own pet. Please consult an expert if you are unsure about how to train your pet. Use caution when using a dremel around your pet, and we are not responsible for any injuries that may occur.
Birthday Week isn’t over yet my friends! We’re just getting started! Today I’ve got a super fun tutorial for some DIY Art you can make to brighten up your own home.
This DIY Dog Bone Art is easy to make, and so fun and cheerful too!
Step 1: Choose 2 milkbones and spray paint with your favorite color
Step 2: Optionally you may choose to paint your frame the same color as well, or leave it as is.
Step 3: Once your paint is dry, remove the glass from your frame and add either a piece of colored mat board (which is what we used) or some colored paper. If you use colored paper make sure it’s glued down to something stiffer like a piece of cardboard.
Step 4: Using an adhesive, glue your milkbones in place on the frame.
Step 5: Hang and enjoy!
Just remember, even though your milkbones are now painted, they still smell like cookies to us dogs! So don’t display them anywhere your dog could get to them.
Mom has already told me many times I can look, but I can’t eat! (Apparently this art project isn’t interactive).
Despite the fact that this new DIY Dog Bone Art isn’t edible, I have to admit, it does add a little happy to my home!
Do you have any dog inspired art hanging in your home?
Check back later today for some super adorable throwback puppy photos and videos of yours truly. It’s so adorable, you’re not going to be able to stand it!
So it wouldn’t be Birthday Week on my blog without some super fun DIY projects that you can make at home for your dog!
Today I’ve got a fun DIY Dog Toy that you can make with things from around your house. So even if you’re not here to join in on my 7th Birthday fun, you can still play along at home with this simple project!
Here’s what you’ll need to make a DIY Snake Dog Toy:
Cotton Stuffing (or stuffing from some old worn-out dog toys)
Pair of old socks (tube socks or soccer socks work great)
Needle & Thread
Scissors
Step 1: Fill both socks 90% full with cotton stuffing.
Step 2: Overlap the cuffs of the socks together and stitch closed.
Step 3: Give to your dog so they can enjoy!
If you can’t tell by the look on my face, I thoroughly enjoyed my new DIY Snake Dog Toy! (That or I saw a ghost!). Regardless, I guarantee your dog will love playing with their new homemade snake.
Don’t forget, if you make your pup a snake toy, be sure to share a picture of it on my Facebook Page! I’d love to see it!
*Make sure you always supervise your pet during playtime. Your pet should not play with this toy while unsupervised.
There’s still time to enter my BarkBox giveaway on my blog! You can also save 10% off your first order with code AMMO.
Every year during Birthday Week I like to come up with some fun diy projects that can be made at home for your pet. While I do have some brand-new projects to share with you this week I thought it would be fun to take a look back at all the previous projects I created for my blog (with a little help from my mom).
So here’s some of my favorite DIY Projects for Pets that you can make at home!
Who would have thought there would be so many things you could make for your dog? Stay tuned tomorrow as I’ll have some fun NEW DIY projects to share with you, and if you want even more inspiration, be sure to check out all my past DIY projects.
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There’s still time to enter my 
