Summer is going to be here before you know it, and I want to be totally ready with my summer bod. Which is why I’m not letting a little cold weather keep me from getting my muscles back…..
What do you think? Am I going to be ready once summer rolls round? 
Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by Pod Trackers. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you and your dog(s) will love.
So I’m the first to admit that I’m no stranger to couch snoozing. I know where to find the perfect spot at anytime, and I have no problems sinking myself into one whenever I feel like it.
As cute and cuddly as I look (I know, I’m just so stinkin’ adorable), it got me thinking….when is too much napping too much? (as if that’s a thing!)
Well my friends, after a little googling (on the couch no less), I discovered that according to an article I found on PetMD the average dog should be getting about 30 minutes of rigorous exercise (or play) along with 1-2 hours of daily activity.
So how am I supposed to tell if my romps on the farm are enough?
Well, as luck would have it, my friends at Pod Tracker have a kickstarter going for their Pod 3 – the customizable GPS tracker for everything in your life, including your dog!
Now I know what you’re thinking, how is a GPS tracker going to tell me how much exercise I’m getting? Well, one of the super cool features of the Pod is that it also has an Activity Monitor. That’s right, you can monitor your dogs activity or set up sensor alerts and even detect unusual activity right from your smart phone.
So not only is your pet’s activity being monitored, but you can also set up geofences to be notified if your pet leaves a specific area, and you can even record and share your pets adventures.
Their Kickstarter campaign for the new Pod 3 is already fully funded, but there are still a few days left for you to jump on board and get your pet one of the newest models at an introductory price. The cool thing about the new Pod 3 is it now has various add-ons such as sound, light, ultrasonic speaker (hello bark control), XL battery and permanent power dock. You can head on over to their campaign to find out more details on their new upgrades!
So just how did I do with my activity levels for my first day of tracking it? Well as you can see by bedtime I had exceeded my walking goal (what can I say, I’m an active guy), and I was pretty close to my rest goal (we all need naps). But 9 minutes of play? That’s sad. Really sad.
Well, there’s really only one thing to do about that.
Tug-of-war ALL DAY LONG tomorrow!
So do you think your dog gets enough exercise? If you’re curious to find out for sure, be sure to check out the Pod 3 Kickstarter campaign!
As dogs, we’re designed to be meat eaters, but did you know that adding vegetables to your dog’s diet can help them in many ways?
My mom’s favorite pet nutritionist, Rodney Habib, has lots of great information on why it’s important to add fresh vegetables to your dog’s daily diet. With the simple addition of veggies to your pet’s food, you could help prevent cancer! Now that’s pretty cool.
Lucky for me, I’m actually a vegetable lover, but many dogs out there hate them.
Not to worry, today I’m going to share with you one of my mom’s favorite recipes for getting picky dogs (like my pal Trooper) to eat their vegetables.
*this is not a sponsored post, but does contain some affiliate links
Here’s what you’ll need:
Add a small amount of The Honest Kitchen to a bowl and add water as per the specifications on the package. The sample packs are great for making about 3 – 4 stuffed toys.
Add some fresh vegetables to the bowl, broccoli is great diced up into smaller pieces.
Then stuff a few mini carrots into your toys. These are great at making it harder for your dog to get the treats out quickly.
Fill the rest of the toy with your vegetable mixture until nearly full.
Finish off with a dab of peanut butter to really get your dog interested.
You can then either feed these veggie treats immediately to your dog, or even stick them in the freezer to give to them later (no need to thaw first).
Every night when my parent’s eat dinner I get my own special vegetable treat inside my crate. My parents are happy knowing I’m getting a healthy dose of veggies, and I’m happy because it tastes oh-so-good!
Not sure what vegetables to feed your dog? Check out this handy list for some ideas.
Do you feed your pet fresh vegetables on a daily basis?
Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by Chewy.com and does contain some affiliate links. All opinions are my own and I received a product in exchange for my honest review. I only share products that I think you and your dogs will love.
Since February is the month dedicated to dental care for pets I thought it would be fun to check out all the ways I’ve kept up with my oral health over the years. #NationalPetOralHealthCareMonth
The Emmi-Pet is an electric dental tooth brush designed for pets that cleans teeth without the need of vibration. While I found this to be a great tool, I sort of fell off the wagon when it came to keeping up with brushing regularly (I know, shame on me). Fetch the Emmi-Pet Toothbrush.
I tried the Tropiclean Teeth Gel for a time, it’s a great way to add some cleaning power to your dog’s teeth without the need to use a toothbrush. You can even spread it onto your dog’s chew toys. I did thoroughly enjoy this cleaning method, but again I wasn’t great about keeping up with a routine. Fetch the Tropiclean Teeth Gel.
Mom even used a pet dental scraper on me. This is a great way to remove plaque buildup, and something I still have done on occasion when my plaque buildup gets noticeable. Fetch a Pet Dental Scraper.
Dental Chews are another great way to fight plaque if your dog likes to chew on them. I tend to be really interested in them at first, but eventually loose interest in the toys after a few weeks. One of my favorite chew toys that I have remained in is the Benebone which encourages me to chew on a regular basis (and I use it almost every night). Fetch a Benebone Dental Chew.
My absolute favorite way to keep my teeth looking sparkly is with dental chews. Lately I’ve been snacking on these Zuke’s Z-Bones Dental Chews from Chewy.com. Seriously what’s better than cleaning your teeth by eating something delicious!
Key Benefits of Zuke’s Z-Bones in Clean Berry Crisp
My mom’s favorite part about these chews is that not only do they help clean my teeth and freshen my breath, but they also contain Turmeric. You may have heard me mention this ingredient before, but it’s been studied for its antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties and can help prevent cancer in your pet. That’s a big plus in my book!
So while I’ll continue to do my best in keeping my teeth healthy and clean, I most certainly won’t give up my daily dental chews…..it’s my favorite part of the day!
Grab some Zuke’s Z-Bones from my friends at Chewy.com! #ChewyInfluencer
What is the dental regime for your pet?
Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by The Honest Kitchen and does contain affiliate links. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you and your dog will love.
My friends over at The Honest Kitchen recently came out with a warm broth for dogs that’s just the thing to heat up your pup this winter season!
Their Bone Broth can be mixed with warm water to make a nourishing, and irresistibly mouthwatering drink, that’s got a few health-promoting properties, too. It’s like a warm treat for your pet with lots of added health benefits too.
The Honest Kitchen Bone Broth is also made with Turmeric. Turmeric has been studied for its antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties and is great for both dogs and cats.
One of my mom’s favorite pet nutrition bloggers, Rodney Habib, has some great information on how Turmeric can be beneficial to your pets. Not only will it help prevent your pet from getting cancer, but it will also aid in the following:
Anti-Inflammatory
Detoxifier
Treatment of epilepsy
Relieves allergies
Prevents the formation of cataracts
Treats depression
Kills parasites
Heals stomach ailments, aids in digestive disorders, and reduces gas and bloating
Fat metabolism and weight management
High in fiber and rich in vitamins and minerals
So I don’t know about you, but I’m all for helping to prevent Cancer (among other ailments), and if it tastes as good as The Honest Kitchen’s Bone Broth, then count me in!
You can combine 1 tablespoon of Bone Broth with 1 cup of warm water to serve to your pet as a healthy treat.
Or you can do what my mom did and pour it onto your pet’s food at mealtime. Mom found that for the amount of food I eat, that half that amount seemed to work fine.
Since I had some dry dog food I’m using up, it was great to pour on top to add a special treat to my meals. I’d never say no to warm broth on my food, especially as the weather starts to get chilly here.
I’m looking forward to using it to re-hydrate my Honest Kitchen dehydrated raw food (Marvel) as well. It’s going to taste so yummy when I come in from playing in the snow this winter!
You can fetch your pet some Bone Broth this season from The Honest Kitchen. I noticed because it’s so popular that it’s currently out of stock, but you can pre-order some on Amazon and they’ll deliver it when it’s back in stock! #tryTHK
Grab a FREE SAMPLE BUNDLE + Coupon (A $10 Value) for $1 shipping with code AMBBGKD6100 from the Honest Kitchen!
This post is sponsored by Glandex and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about how Glandex – Natural Supplement for Anal Glands but AmmotheDachshund.com only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. Glandex is not responsible for the content of this article.
I’m sure this image looks familiar, you suddenly look up from whatever you were doing to catch your dog dragging their bum on the carpet (and in my mom’s case, the nice WHITE carpet!).
Embarrassing, yes. But do you know why us dogs do this?
Dogs have two small internal glands on either side of their bum that typically release a few drops of scent marking fluid whenever your pet defecates. (It’s also why us dogs can tell a lot about each other by sniffing butts). In order for your dog’s anal glands to empty properly they need large firm stools to create pressure during defecation to allow them to empty naturally. (TMI right?)
But when they aren’t functioning properly, Anal gland issues arise and they become over-filled, blocked, or irritated. This is when you’ll typically catch your dog rubbing their butt across the carpet or licking.
Thanks to my friends at Glandex® there is a product that may be able to help!
Glandex is the only product that addresses all of the underlying causes of anal gland problems and works from the inside out to help maintain healthy anal glands.
Using a unique fiber blend, this anal gland supplement helps to create firm and bulky stools which help the anal glands empty naturally every time your pet defecates. Glandex also contains natural anti-inflammatories to help support healthy anal glands as well as probiotics and digestive enzymes to support a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
Glandex comes in two formulas, powder that can be added to your pet’s daily meal….
…and this soft chew formula with peanut butter flavor.
I opted to test out the chewables this time around, and I found them to be super tasty. Mom started giving me one every day at breakfast in late September.
Before I dive into the specifics on what I noticed while taking Glandex it’s important to note that anal gland issues are much more common in small dogs. Because of this I have always needed to have mine emptied manually by my veterinarian every 1 – 2 months roughly, which basically means mine are not emptying properly on their own.
Sometimes you may notice a horrid smell (like the worst of the worst) coming from your dog, this means that your dog just emptied their anal glands (hopefully not one your white carpet). My buddy Trooper used to do it all the time when he got really scared of something (sorry Trooper, had to spill the beans).
So starting in late September mom started giving me Glandex daily to see if it helped. Prior to this the last time I had had mine expressed by my vet was August 21st. Click on the image above to see a detailed report on my daily business.
General notes – while on Glandex my stools became much firmer, larger, and more regular. And by very late October I started to scoot on the carpet again, but seeing as I was due for my annual vet exam mom decided to have my anal glands expressed at the visit. They ended up being very full (as they normally are).
I did learn while at my vet that some dogs have glands that don’t sit as close to the edge of the bum, and no matter what they will never be able to express them on their own. Some dogs may be able to get some help expressing them with this fiber supplement for dogs from Glandex.
In my case I felt like Glandex definitely did what it said it would, firmed up my stool to help naturally empty my glands, and it seemed to prolong my visits to have them expressed manually. I also noticed I had less gas (unless I eat jerky….that always does it to me!) I’ll probably forever be the type of dog that has to have them manually done, but with Glandex at least I can help avoid those visits a little bit longer.
So if you notice your dog having an anal glad issue, don’t wait to add a fiber supplement such as Glandex to their diet. The alternative to not taking care of the issue can be costly surgeries, and if the anal glands are blocked or overfilled they may not be able to empty on their own, thus requiring expressing by a veterinarian.
To pick up your pet’s anal gland treatment visit Glandex, and help them Boot The Scoot!
Have you noticed your pet scooting on the carpet? Have you ever tried a fiber supplement? Share your stories with us on social media and the hashtag #BootTheScoot or leave a comment below.
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….
The Best Method for Trimming Your Dog’s Nails
Here’s what you’ll need:
This method requires a basic knowledge of clicker training. If you’d like a little introduction you can check out this website or buy an introduction kit to clicker training.*
*contains affiliate links
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).
After each session, which started out short (maybe 30 seconds tops) she’d give me a big reward. For me that reward has been Natural Balance’s Dental Chews, with Pumpkin & Chicken Meal and Papaya.
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!
Key Benefits of Natural Balance Dental Chews
You can fetch your pet a bag from our friends at Chewy.com for about $14.
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!
For more information on avoiding the quick check out this article.
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.
Just like many dachshunds (or really any dog) I love the feeling of laying in a patch of warm sun. If you own are owned by a dachshund, then you know what I’m talking about.
I’m sure this scene is all too familiar, your dog parks themselves in front of a big patch of sun laying there until they are visibly panting and hot to the touch. As much as I enjoy getting all toasty in the sun, my mom started to worry about what the sun might be doing to my skin. Is skin cancer something us dogs should be worried about, and if so how can we prevent it?
Well instead of just wondering, my mom decided to find out. So she did a little research, and even took a trip to my vet to find out more.
See in the beginning of the summer a new (black) mole popped up on my chest. And seeing as how I have the very common dachshund pattern baldness on my belly, mom worried my exposure to the sun on a daily basis was starting to catch up to me.
So away we went to the vet to find out if in fact dogs can get skin cancer, what we should be looking for, and how we can prevent it.
First, the good news is I didn’t have any moles or bumps that look pre-cancerous (at least not yet), so phew! But, the risk of skin cancer in dogs is just the same as it would be for humans, especially in areas where your dog may not have as much hair and for dogs that have lighter colored fur.
My vet informed me that although I do have the occasional mole, discoloration, or skin growth pop up, that this can also be a sign of aging skin and will happen as the years pass. Documenting your dog’s skin abnormalities can be a great way to make sure there isn’t anything out of the ordinary happening that might require a biopsy or further investigation.
Tips for Preventing Skin Cancer in Dogs:
*contains affiliate links
We found this helpful chart online (source unknown) that can be useful if any of your dog’s moles might warrant a trip to the vet. The same characteristics in moles can be seen on humans and are also a sign of pre-cancerous areas.
While preventing me from “sunning” probably isn’t going to happen (sorry, I just enjoy my sun naps way too much), mom has been making me wear pet sunscreen when it looks like I’ll be napping for a while. She also plans to add a UV film to the window at the shop where I like to sun myself a lot during the day.
Has your dog had any skin cancer scares? Do you routinely check your pet for moles and skin abnormalities?
Disclaimer: I am not a veterinarian, just an owner who cares an awful lot about my pet’s health. Please be sure to consult your own vet if you think your pet may have some abnormal skin issues. This post is not meant to replace veterinarian care, just simply a reference for the information we have learned in our own studies.
Disclaimer: this post is brought to you by the honest kitchen. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you and your dogs will love.
While Trooper and I may look hot in this picture, the truth is the warm summer weather will be leaving us soon. With it we’ll have to say goodbye to our lush veggie gardens and the summertime harvests that have been so abundant this year.
Eating healthy, fresh ingredients isn’t just important for the humans, it’s important for us dogs too. While mom can’t grow everything Trooper and I need to maintain a healthy diet, I want to share with you the newest addition to my healthy diet that’s available all year round!
My friends at the Honest Kitchen are makers of all natural, human grade dehydrated dog and cat food. Their foods are produced in the USA from non-GMO produce and hormone-free meats.
One of the newest addition to their healthy food line is called BRAVE. This limited ingredient diet contains only six ingredients: MSC certified pollock, organic coconut, chickpea, celery, pumpkin, spinach, plus vitamins and minerals – which is perfect for dogs that may have allergies, or prefer a more simplified food.
Brave had a great fishy smell, which I picked up even before mom opened the shipping box it came in! And all you have to do is add water to this food to get it to puff up to a full (and filling) meal. I look forward to scarfing it down at mealtime.
While neither Trooper nor I have any food related allergies, we can certainly appreciate a simplified diet with only the healthiest of ingredients.
Just like all the yummy home grown veggies in mom’s garden!
There’s lots I want to share with you about how I’ve added dehydrated food from the Honest Kitchen into my rotational diet – so to find out even more you’ll just have to stop by my blog on Tuesday next week – as a bonus I’ve got some great products from the Honest Kitchen to giveaway too!
You can fetch BRAVE and other limited ingredient foods from the Honest Kitchen. And as a BONUS, if you’d like to try some Honest Kitchen with your pets you can use my special promo code for a FREE SAMPLE BUNDLE + Honest Kitchen Coupon ($10 Total Value) for just $1 in shipping. (discount will be automatically applied at checkout)
And that’s not all, The Honest Kitchen is also having a fun Calendar Contest you can enter to win a Free trip to San Diego for you and your pet + Honest Kitchen Goodies! If you’d like you can check out my entry, and see the “honest confession” that I’m telling the world. I’d love it if you could give me a vote too! 😉
Grab a FREE SAMPLE BUNDLE + Coupon (A $10 Value) for $1 shipping with code AMBBGKD6100 from the Honest Kitchen!
Don’t forget to check back next week for a fun giveaway with the Honest Kitchen!
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Choosing the right dog food for your dog can be an overwhelming process. There are so many choices these days, from grain free, to de-hydrated, to raw – how the heck are you supposed to pick one?
While my mom claims to be no pet food nutrition expert, she thought it would be helpful if we gave you some handy tips as to how she chooses pet foods for me.
For starters I’ve been on a rotational diet since I was just a wee pup. What this means is that each time I get to the end of a bag of dog food, mom switches me to a different brand of food. Who wants to eat the same food every day of their life? Not me! Plus mom believes that different foods have different nutritional benefits, so rotating foods makes sure I get the best of all of them (at least thats the theory). This rotational diet may not work for all dogs, especially ones that may have sensitivities to certain things, or are on special dietary restrictions due to health reasons. So it’s best to know what might work for your own dog and your own situation.
Now while many people might defer to their veterinarian for feeding recommendations, I’ve found that while vets are schooled in medical issues, most of them are not trained in pet nutrition. Many of them just recommend what’s suggested within their industry, and while that’s not to say it’s always a bad suggestion, my mom feels that doing her own research will provide me with the best choice in food.
So before I dive into what my mom looks for in a pet food, lets talk about the different types of dog foods:
Dry: The “kibble” most people are familiar with. It travels and stores well, but is considered a more processed food because the ingredients aren’t fresh.
Wet: What many people might call “canned food”, this food is kept moist and easy for most dogs to ingest. It is much more perishable because of this.
De-Hydrated: This is essentially raw foods that have been dehydrated to lock in the nutrients. It’s less processed than dry food, but can take time to prepare as it typically needs water to “plump up”.
Raw: Fresh whole foods in their purest form. Typically you have to buy meats frequently to maintain freshness, and ingredients have to be handled properly to prevent illnesses to your dog.
Homemade: Fresh ingredients that are selected by the owner, and made to their own specifications. You have to have a thorough knowledge of what your dog can eat and may need, and it does take a good bit of dedication to make.
I have never eaten Raw or Homemade dog food, mostly because mom doesn’t know a ton about feeding these types, and more importantly because of my lifestyle. I sometimes eat dinner at home, other times on the farm, and frequently at work – so these types would not travel well or keep as fresh in these situations.
I’ve tried Wet food before (when I was a puppy), but I wasn’t a super big fan of it, not to mention it also doesn’t travel well either. My pal Trooper eats a scoop of it everyday in all his meals and loves it, so it may depend on your own dog.
What I do eat is Dry (which is what I have eaten since I was a puppy), and more recently I am testing out De-Hydrated food as well. In the coming weeks I will be reviewing some of my picks for both types of food, so stay tuned for that!
So since I’m most familiar with Dry & De-Hydrated Pet Foods, lets talk about what my mom looks for when choosing a brand for me to eat.
What to look for when choosing a pet food:
Can you spot which of these foods my mom wouldn’t feed me based on the ingredients?…. (click on the images to view them larger)
Without naming names, the second label pictured is a much better choice, and one of the brands I eat myself. You’ll notice with the yellow label the very first ingredient was Corn, followed by “meat and bone meal” (which doesn’t even specify what kind of meat it is), and also included a lot of dyes that weren’t healthy. Definitely a product I would be steering clear of personally.
Following these guidelines for choosing foods, my mom also does the same for any treats or cookies she feeds me.
While my search for great pet foods never really ends, here’s the current list of foods that I have been rotating through my diet:
Stay tuned for a few reviews coming up soon on my blog with some of these foods, I’ll also be giving away some pet food to some lucky readers too! *contains affiliate links
For recommendations on how to keep your dog looking trim, you might want to check to check out one of my past posts on 5 tips for keeping your pet trim. Which also includes how much food I actually eat on a daily basis!
What brands and type of food do you feed your dog? Any recommendations you suggest and think I will love? Do tell!
Thanks to Reviews.com and the PetsMart Food Center for helping me with some great information for this post!
Disclaimer: this post is meant to be a general guide for choosing dog foods. Ammo nor his parents are pet nutrition experts, and if you are unsure about what to feed you should always consult a vet or pet nutrition expert first. What works for Ammo may not work for all dogs, and feeding what we feed may not be recommended for all dogs and all situations. We are not responsible for any issues or illnesses that may result from feeding what we feed our own dog.
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