Weekend Update – Big Kitchen Renovation

Posted on August 26, 2015 by Ammo

I know you’re all on the edge of your seats waiting to see how my big kitchen renovation is going….I know I certainly am! Things are moving along at my house. Nothing fast. Nothing overnight. But thus is the reality when your parents DIY 80% of it! It’s a lot of waiting around (on my part at least), and watching crew come and go. I can see the end in sight though, and last week my new cabinets arrived, how exciting! I gotta give a big shout out to my new friend John who did an awesome job making sure my new dog food storage boxes were installed properly. Boy am I gonna be able to fit a ton of dog food in my new kitchen. And when this is all over…..I think I might need a vacation! Until then, enjoy this sneak peek into my life as kitchen renovation inspector! xoxo,

Weekend Kitchen Renovation Update with Ammo the Dachshund

P.S. There may have been a few play time breaks thrown in there for good measure!

How was your weekend?

5 Tips for Taking Better Pictures of Your Dog

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Ammo

It’s no secret that I love having my photo taken. It’s been years and years of practice to get these super model moves down pat!

Ammo the Dachshund Studio Photos

And while I’m pretty much a pro infront of the lens, I do have a mom who’s got a few tricks up her sleeve when it comes to capturing adorable shots of yours truly. So I thought it would be fun to pick her brain, and share some tips on how you can capture some great pictures like these of your own pets!

Photographer's Muse // Ammo the Dachshund

5 Tips for Taking Better Pictures of Your Dog:

1. Have Amazing Treats

Ammo the Dachshund - Pony Cookie - Howl Naturale

Until you find that amazing treat (or meat) that makes your dog do back flips, you’re not going to get them to be interested in your photo session. Good treats go a long way, and if your dog is willing to do anything to get them, then you might just get that shot you were looking for.

2. Get Down Low

Winter on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Dogs aren’t that big (well unless maybe you have a great dane), so getting yourself on the floor and down to the dog’s level is going to give you a better picture every time.

3. Practice “Waiting”

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Teaching your dog commands such as “wait” (my term for stay put and don’t move) is only going to help you get that amazing picture. Using positive reinforcement and some yummy treats practice asking your dog to hold still for pictures.

4. Let Your Dog Be a Dog

Barkbox Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

As fun as some of the posed shots are, it’s even more fun for your dog just to play and be themselves. Some of the best shots come from letting your dog do their own thing and being there to capture the moment (or the mess).

5. Prop Up Your Pet

Purple Possum Dachshund Scarf Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Have a squirmy dog that won’t sit still? Prop them up on something high (and safe) so they don’t have room to roam. This will keep you from chasing your dog all over trying to snag a photo.

A Day at the Beach // Ammo the Dachshund

And there you have it, 5 tips to grabbing shots of your pet like a pro! Above all else, make picture time fun for your dog and I’m sure you’ll get that photograph! There’s many more where that came from, if you liked my mom’s tips for photographing pets let me know in the comments below and perhaps I’ll share some more soon!

P.S. if you’re wondering what camera gear my mom uses to photograph me, be sure to check out my gear page!

Easy Frozen Dog Treats & A Giveaway

Posted on July 28, 2015 by Ammo

Disclaimer: This post and giveaway is brought to you by Happy Lapper. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you will love!

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

Lets face it, Summer is H O T! Which is why my mom helped me come up with a fantastic way to help you and your pup cool off this summer. These super easy DIY Frozen Dog Treats are the perfect way to spend a hot day!

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

Here’s what you’ll need to get started:

Blender*
3 Ripe Bananas
1/2 Cup of Peanut Butter
Silicone cupcake liners (you could also use a cupcake tray, or these plastic cups)*
Spoon
Happy Lapper – Frozen Dog Treat Holder

*contains affiliate links

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

Now before we dive into how to make these frozen treats, I bet you’re wondering what the Happy Lapper is. It’s this super cool frozen dog treat holder designed and created for dogs by a small business owner in my home state of Pennsylvania! It makes eating frozen treats a snap for all the dogs out there, and I’ll show you just how to use it after I share how to make these 2 ingredient frozen treats.

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

I decided to make 2 ingredient treats (all you need is bananas and peanut butter) because most frozen treats for dogs have yogurt in them. While yogurt is super yummy, I actually have a sensitivity to dairy (just like my mom who is lactose intolerant) so I tend to steer clear of the yogurt!

So all you need to get started is your 3 bananas and your 1/2 cup of peanut butter.

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

Simply pop them in the blender and mix those two yummy things up into a fine paste! You’ll notice I was getting my treat making on outside, mostly because if you remember, my kitchen looks like this right now. But the great news is, you don’t even need a functioning kitchen to make these treats!

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

Then simply dish out the mixture evenly into your cupcake liners (or whatever you choose to use) and pop them in the freezer until frozen.

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

While you wait for your treats to freeze, it’s perfectly ok to lick the spoon. You can’t let any of the yumminess go to waste!

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

The Happy Lapper Frozen Treat Holder was going to be a great addition to my upcoming snack. It’s also dishwasher safe and made from 100% non toxic materials.

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

Once your treats are frozen you simply pop them into the Happy Lapper (I decided to leave mine in the cupcake liners, but you can also pop them out if you prefer).

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

Then place the Happy Lapper on the floor for your dog to enjoy! The Happy Lapper has a non-skid base to keep it from moving around while your dog licks it. I can’t tell you how annoying it is to lick a treat and have it slide all around the house (or worse it slides so much you have to make your mom or dad hold it for you!).

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

I’m such a nice guy, that I decided to share my frozen treats with my best pal Trooper.

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

Trooper’s Happy Lapper got placed under the leg of a chair to keep it even more securely in place, and you could even have your mom or dad hold it down with their foot too. Mom thought this was a neat idea for dogs who might like to steal each other’s treats (of course I would NEVER do that), because you could put their treats under the leg of a chair at opposite ends of the house.

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

Smarty pants Trooper also got creative and figured out how to hold his treat down himself. (I could have done that too if I had really wanted….he’s not the only smart one around here!)

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

Trooper and I loved the Happy Lapper, and think it’s a great addition to your summertime frozen pet treats. You can even use it with store-bought treats*, or any homemade ones you might want to make for your pup (Pretty Fluffy has a great DIY E-Book out that has some yummy frozen treat recipes in it).
*affiliate links

You can fetch your own Happy Lapper for $12.50 and $4 flat rate shipping (no matter how many you buy!). These would make a great gift for all your dog friends this summer!

Check out the video of Happy Lapper in action.

And now for the best part…

Easy Frozen Dog Treats with Happy Lapper + A Giveaway

THREE WINNERS WILL WIN A HAPPY LAPPER FROZEN PET TREAT HOLDER!

Here’s HOW TO WIN:

No purchase necessary. To enter use the Rafflecopter widget below. You will be contacted via e-mail to claim your prize. All the winners will also be announced on this blog post once the giveaway ends. Open to USA residents only. Winners must claim their prizes within 48 hours of being notified or prize will be forfeited. By entering you are agreeing to the terms & conditions set forth in the Rafflecopter widget (see below).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read our full Terms & Conditions for this giveaway.

Never want to miss any of the adventures (or giveaways) on my blog? Make sure you sign-up for e-mail updates!

How to make a Fake Rabbit Hole for your Dog

Posted on April 22, 2015 by Ammo

Disclaimer: this is NOT a sponsored post, but it does contain some affiliate links.

It’s no secret that I am OBSESSED with holes. After all, my breed was originally bred to go down holes and hunt down badgers.

And go down holes I do! My mom has had to pull me out of many ground hog holes around the farm over the years, and because of my affinity to go hunting whenever I feel like it I now wear a GPS tracker whenever I’m on the farm. While my tracker gives mom piece of mind, she’d still prefer my escapades kept me a little closer to the barn, which is why she decided to dupe me!

So I decided to share how my mom made me a DIY Fake Rabbit Hole so all you other dogs out there won’t get tricked like I did!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Rabbit Scent (or any other scent your dog might prefer)
Spray Bottle
Water
String (I used bailing twine)
Paper Towel
Shovel or Post Hole Digger

Step 1: Choose a spot to dig a hole about 2 feet deep. Make sure you choose a spot where no one could fall in it (placing a marker when it’s done is helpful too). A spot near a bush or tree makes it more believable to your dog as well.

As you can see just the sight of a hole was enough to get me interested!

Step 2: Mix your Rabbit Scent with some water in a spray bottle and mist it into the hole. You can make it stronger by foregoing the water if your dog doesn’t seem interested.

Step 3: Tie a paper towel to a string and mist with the rabbit scent. Drag the towel to and from the hole to leave a scent trail for your dog to follow.

Trooper and I picked up on the rabbit scent trail right away.

But only one of us really cared…..I’m pretty sure you can guess who!

Well I feel pretty silly getting tricked with a fake hole, but I did have a really good time digging to my hearts content. So fake or not, I don’t regret it one bit. Well except for the fact that it landed me in the bath a few hours later!

Do you think your dog would be tricked by a fake scent hole?

*Be advised that fake animal scents can attract other wild animals as well. So be aware of where you are putting it, and make sure to supervise your dog especially if they are out at night.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs

Posted on December 24, 2014 by Ammo

So, it’s the night before Christmas and you forgot to get a gift for your dog! Not that that would ever really happen right? Well just incase I’ve whipped up this simple DIY for a Christmas Cracker for your Dog that you can make with items from around your house!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

Supplies:

Tissue Paper or Newspaper
String or Ribbon
Toilet Paper Rolls
Small dog treats

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 1: Stuff a few cookies into an empty toilet paper roll.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: Roll up your toilet paper roll in tissue paper and twist off the ends.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 3: Tie with festive string or ribbon.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 4: Let your dog have a blast ripping open their Christmas Cracker!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Cracker for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

Oh what fun it is to play with my new Christmas Cracker today!

*make sure to always supervise your pet and do not allow them to ingest anything they shouldn’t

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Collar Flair

Posted on December 18, 2014 by Ammo

Yippee! It’s almost Christmas! And to get in the holiday spirit, I thought I’d share my fun an easy DIY for some holiday dog collar flair!

Here’s what you’ll need:

Festive Holiday Fabric (smaller patterns and words work best)
Fabric Button Kit
Elastic
Scissors

Following the directions that came with your fabric covered button kit, use your holiday fabric to create a button. For mine I used a 1″ kit.

Choosing a smaller pattern works best and may depend on the size of your button.

Then simply tie a small piece of elastic to the back of the button loop that will securely hold your button to the collar (thin elastic works best).

Then slip it onto your dog’s favorite collar, and you’ve got yourself some holiday flair!

Simple, fun, and oh-so-festive!

They were so easy to make that now I can’t decide which ones to wear….perhaps I should just wear them all!

Make sure to post your dog’s holiday flair on my Facebook page, so we can all join in on the festive fun! Happy Holidays!

12 Days of Cheer! Christmas DIY Projects

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Ammo

I’ve been celebrating the 12 Days of Cheer for several years now, and each year I like to come up with some fun and festive DIY projects that involve your 4-legged friends. And while I still have some fun new ones to share this year, I thought it would be fun to round up some of the ones I’ve done over the years.

So here’s a few of my festive Christmas DIY Dog Projects:

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Easy Prize Ball for your Pet // Ammo the Dachshund

Strapped on time? Make this simple and fun DIY prize ball for your dog with things you have laying around your house!

12 Days of Cheer! Easy DIY Gold Dog Ornaments // Ammo the Dachshund

Need a simple gift for all your dog friends? Check out this Easy DIY Gold Dog Ornament tutorial.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Christmas Eve Outfit for your Dog via Ammo the Dachshund

Having a holiday party? Make this Easy DIY Holiday Outfit for your dog to make him look extra spiffy for all your guests.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Pet Snowglobe via Ammo the Dachshund

Everyone loves a snow globe. Make this DIY Pet Snowglobe so your dog can have one too!

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Pet Garland using Milkbones! via Ammo the Dachshund

It’s always fun to add a little woof to your holiday decorating. Make this DIY Holiday Pet Garland.

12 Days of Cheer! DIY Holiday Dog Cookie Jar via Ammo the Dachshund

Every dog loves dog cookies! Make this fun DIY Holiday Cookie Jar – it makes a great gift!

12 Days of Cheer! Ammo the Dachshund's DIY Holiday Dog Ornaments

Trimming the tree just got way more fun with these DIY Holiday Dog Ornaments!

Stay tuned, because tomorrow I’ve got a brand-new Holiday DIY project that you’re going to love!

Quick and Simple Tug Toy for Dogs

Posted on November 6, 2014 by Ammo

Valentine's Day DIY Flirt Pole - interactive dog toy // Ammo the Dachshund

You might remember that back in February my mom helped me make a Flirt Pole. If you’ve never heard of a Flirt Pole, its basically a cat toy for dogs.

And if you or your dog have never played with one before, let me tell you, it’s seriously the most fun toy EVER! I could play with one of these ALL DAY LONG.

And since I’ve gotten so much use out of my Flirt Pole at home (and still do), mom decided to make me a quick and simple one to use at the shop as well. So after gathering up a few supplies that were laying around the shop I made another easy version of the flirt pole in less than 5 minutes.

Simple and Quick DIY Tug Toy for Dogs

Supplies:

PVC Pipe
Rope
Fleece or Dog Toy
Electric Drill
Scissors

And since this project is so simple, I’ll just let the photos speak for themselves….

Simple and Quick DIY Tug Toy for Dogs

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got some tugging to do!

For more detailed instructions on how to make a Flirt Pole, check out my post from February. DIY not your thing? Check out this fun Flirt Pole from the Bark Shop.

Halloween Adventures with an American Icon

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Ammo

Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by Barkbox.

So seeing as how we’re just a few short days away from Halloween (or Halloweenie as I like to call it), I decided it was time to officially share my costume for this year. As you might already know, I’ve made it my mission each year to come up with a handmade costume (with some help from my mom and dad) – and this year was no exception!

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Of all the super heroes that have graced the pages of Marvel comics, there is only one real life superhero (well aside from me) …… Evel Knievel. And the legend lives on with my Halloween Costume this year!

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Evel Knievel was known as King of the Daredevils as he flew through the air on his motorcycle – over canyons, mountain lions, rattlesnakes, even buses.

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Of course when I chose to be him this Halloween I couldn’t help but envy his costume fashion flare and brave (albeit maybe a bit foolish too) daredevil antics.

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

I’m glad he at least opted to wear a helmet!

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Considering Evel Knievel broke a record 32 bones in his career, which landed him in the Guinness Book of World Records, I knew some precautions had to be taken before I attempted my first daredevil feat.

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

So to prepare, I practiced falling…..gracefully. Well as gracefully as one can when flying through the air on a motorcycle.

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

So after a thorough practice session on “landing” I headed out to the backyard to attempt my first stunt.

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Mom helped me set up some ramps, and I ~~double~~ triple checked them for safety.

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

But seeing as how I was a little short on school buses for my first daredevil stunt, I had to improvise and use ponies instead.

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Also, I had a little trouble coming by a motorcycle, but not to worry – Mom’s vacuum seemed like the perfect thing to carry me through the air.

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Now if you’re particularly nervous about watching a dachshund dressed as Evel Knievel riding a vacuum over several ponies than I suggest you close your eyes for this next part. It’s not for the faint of heart.

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Better yet, I’ll spare you all the scary details and just let you know that I did it! I landed safely on the other side – clearing the ponies, and gently navigating my vacuum to the ground.

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

But you know what, after my hair raising adventure through the air, I decided I’m much safer with all 4 feet on the ground.

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Especially when my October Barkbox showed up at my door!

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Packed full of lots of yummy Halloweenie goodies just for me, it totally got my into the spooky spirit! (As if wearing an Evel Knievel costume wasn’t Halloweenie enough)

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Did you know that Barkbox has a new program called Scout’s Honor – and if you or your pup isn’t completely happy with an item, the BarkHappy team will replace it with something better suited – or issue a credit of equal value to the brand new BarkShop.

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

My favorite this month? This Plush Puppies Invincibles Cat!

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

And now that my Barkbox has arrived, something tells me I won’t be making it to the other side on my next big jump!

If you want to fetch your dog a Barkbox Subscription to be excited about too, make sure you use coupon code AMMO5 for 15% off this month only! Only a few days left!

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

And now, I leave you with an Evel Knievel quote…

“Kids want to be like me, men want to be me, and the women want to be with me” – Evel Knievel

Happy Halloweenie everyone!

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Barkbox, but all opinions are entirely my own!

10 Homemade Costumes for Dogs

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Ammo

Every year my mom and dad make me a homemade halloween costume.

Cowabunga, Dude! Ammo the Dachshunds 2013 Halloween Costume - Raphael the Ninja Turtle

Last year I was a Raphael the Ninja Turtle.

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

And the year before I was Wile E. Coyote. And while this year’s Halloween costume is under wraps for now, I thought it would be fun to round up some of my favorite DIY Halloween costumes for dogs from around the web. Hopefully it will help spark some ideas for your own pup’s costumes!

10 Homemade Costumes For Dogs

10 Handmade Halloween Costumes for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund