Category Archives: Training

Practicing in Public

Posted on by

Practicing in Public - Ammo the Dachshund visits Lowes

It’s that time of year when it seems I find myself visiting the hardware store almost every weekend. Mom and Dad are always coming up with projects that need to be done around the house in the Spring. Mom says it’s the perfect place for me to tag along and practice all my “behaving in public” skills, as I inevitably get a little rusty over the winter.

Practicing in Public - Ammo the Dachshund visits Lowes

I beg to differ on the “rusty” part, I mean just look how good my sit/stay is!

Practicing in Public - Ammo the Dachshund visits Lowes

I’ve also got the healing next to the shopping cart down too!

Practicing in Public - Ammo the Dachshund visits Lowes

And my self control (even when I smell critters in the garden center) is pretty good too (well most of the time!).

But the very hardest part for me……trying to keep up with Dad in the hardware store! #ShortLegProblems

Does your dog go on public outings with you? Ammo the Dachshund // Blog Signature // Celebrity

A Wireless Camera to Help Train Your Pet

Posted on by

Disclaimer: this post and giveaway is brought to you by Vimtag. All opinions are my own, and I only share products that I think you and your pets will love.

A Wireless Camera to Help Train your Dog + A Giveaway

A few months ago I did something very bad. I know, it’s so out of character for me seeing as how I’m always on my best behavior (at least that’s what I tell everyone). In my defense though, I didn’t really feel like being left home alone with Trooper at his house.

A Wireless Camera to Help Train your Dog + A Giveaway

I began to regret my unfortunate decision to leave my “mark” on Trooper’s brand-new door when mom announced that I would have to stay in my crate whenever I am left alone at my buddy’s house.

The crate?? But don’t they know how much I HATE being left in that thing!

So thus began the adventure of my mom conditioning me to enjoy (as much as one can) being in my crate at Trooper’s house.

A Wireless Camera to Help Train your Dog + A Giveaway

You may remember a few weeks ago I introduced you to a new Wireless Camera that mom and dad used to keep an eye on me when they were away from home. Well the Vimtag Camera began to play an important role in my crate training as well.

A Wireless Camera to Help Train your Dog + A Giveaway

After setting me up in my crate with a fun toy filled with peanut butter, mom would set up the Vimtag Camera before heading out the door.

A Wireless Camera to Help Train your Dog + A Giveaway

With the ability to view my every move from the Vimtag Wireless App, mom would head out the stable to watch my progress with my buddy Boomerang.

Starting with short sessions to being with, she’d leave me in a crate for 10 – 15 minutes at a time.

A Wireless Camera to Help Train your Dog + A Giveaway

With the ability to not only see what I was doing, but also hear whether I was crying or barking too, mom was able to time coming back into the house to release me from my crate at a moment when I had actually calmed down and relaxed.

Thus the Vimtag Camera made it possible for her to only release me when I was in a calm state, rewarding me for being quiet and patient.

A Wireless Camera to Help Train your Dog + A Giveaway

Thanks to Vimtag, I’m getting more and more comfortable with being in my crate at Trooper’s house. Mom says it’s been invaluable to my training, and made the process go so much quicker!

Make sure you read all about the cool features of the Vimtag Wireless Video Monitoring Camera on my previous post, and you can fetch your own (and still receive it for the holidays with prime shipping!) from Vimtag on Amazon!

And don’t forget…..

A Wireless Camera to Monitor your Pet + A Giveaway

There’s still time to enter my giveaway!!

TWO WINNERS WILL A VIMTAG WIRELESS SECURITY CAMERA!

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 readers 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

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

How to make a Fake Rabbit Hole for your Dog

Posted on by

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.

ammo the dachshund digging

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!

DIY Fake Scent Hole for Hunting Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

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

DIY Fake Scent Hole for Hunting Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

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.

DIY Fake Scent Hole for Hunting Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

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

DIY Fake Scent Hole for Hunting Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

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.

DIY Fake Scent Hole for Hunting Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

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.

DIY Fake Scent Hole for Hunting Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

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

DIY Fake Scent Hole for Hunting Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

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.Ammo the Dachshund

Tips for Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets

Posted on by

Tips on Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets // Ammo the Dachshund For PetsmartThis post is sponsored by PetSmart®, and the BlogPaws Professional Pet Blogger Network. I am being compensated for helping spread the word about Kennels, Crates, and Containment Systems for your pet, but AmmotheDachshund.com only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers. PetSmart is not responsible for the content of this article.

Tips on Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets // Ammo the Dachshund For Petsmart

Ok, full disclosure here, when I was a puppy I failed crate training. Yes, it’s true. I barked and cried and threw out all the stubborn dachshund tricks until my mom and dad caved. That was 6 years ago though, and although I may not be the perfect poster dog for loving my crate, I am learning that it’s not such a bad place to be after all.

Tips on Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets // Ammo the Dachshund For Petsmart

As an adult dog I’ve learned that there are many benefits to crate training and I should learn to be one of the many #CrateHappyPets out there.

Reasons why you might need to put your pet in a crate:

  • Your pet becomes injured and needs to be on crate rest
  • Traveling in a carrier by plane or the need to be crated in a hotel to keep pets out of trouble
  • Great for pets with separation anxiety when you leave home
  • Dog agility events where there is a need to kennel pets between events
  • Pet safety and keeping them out of areas that are hazardous

Yet the number one reason that my mom and dad decided to take the plunge and FINALLY crate train me was to keep me from begging for food at dinner time! I guess my cute puppy dog eyes were becoming too much for them to resist!

Tips on Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets // Ammo the Dachshund For Petsmart

Since I’m probably not the only dog out there that was/is resistant to crate training I’ve decided to share some of my tips on how I learned to love my kennel!

Ammo’s Tips for Crate Training an Adult Dog:

TIP 1: Pad your dog’s crate with something extra soft! If you have to, double up the dog beds, no dog wants to sleep on the hard plastic bottom of a crate. Simply switching out my crate pad for something extra soft made me want to take naps in there instead of anywhere else! For a bonus you can add a pet-safe heating pad, because that’s just icing on the cake!

Tips on Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets // Ammo the Dachshund For Petsmart

TIP 2: Give your dog something extra special when they are in their crate. I love a toy stuffed with peanut butter (and if you freeze it, it lasts even longer – plus there is no risk of choking when mom and dad are gone). In the beginning my mom would let me chew on something tasty inside the crate (while the door was open) to get used to being in there.

Tips on Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets // Ammo the Dachshund For Petsmart

TIP 3: Cover the top of your crate with a blanket or crate cover. Us dogs are den animals, and sometimes being snuggled up in a dark area makes us feel safe and secure.

Tips on Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets // Ammo the Dachshund For Petsmart

TIP 4: Build duration in the crate slowly over time with routine. My parents started me out with the routine of going into my crate every evening at their dinner time. I started out by just being closed in for a minute or 2 a night, and built up to longer lengths over several months.

Tips on Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets // Ammo the Dachshund For Petsmart

TIP 5: Practice your crate training in many different places. You can even play some crate training games with your pup to get them to look forward to going inside.

Tips on Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets // Ammo the Dachshund For Petsmart

So hopefully my crate training tips have you all excited to get started with your pup too, now all you need is a crate!

Great news, my friends over at Petsmart® are having a SALE ON CRATES, KENNELS, CARRIERS, AND ACCESSORIES all this month, and you can grab one for a steal.

Tips on Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets // Ammo the Dachshund For Petsmart

Petsmart carries many great brands like Petmate®, Martha Stewart Pets®, Top Paw®, Kong®, and Grreat Choice®. Personally I’m a big fan of the wire crates like these from Top Paw® – as I have been known to chew through a soft crate or two before I learned to love them!

Not sure what to buy? Check out this helpful Crate Buying Guide from Petsmart.

Tips on Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets // Ammo the Dachshund For Petsmart

So don’t delay, grab a cart and head on over to Petsmart (or you can shop online) – these deals only last until March 31st!

Tips on Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets // Ammo the Dachshund For Petsmart

Before you know it, you’ll have #CrateHappyPets just like me! Ammo the Dachshund

Do you have any crate training tips to share? Post them in the comments below!

 

Train Your Dog to Load in the Car

Posted on by

Disclosure: This post is brought to you by Chewy.com, but all opinions are entirely my own.

Train Your Dog to Get in the Car // Ammo the Dachshund

Now if you own a Dachshund are owned by a Dachshund then this might sound familiar to you. Picture this, you open your front door and your dog darts out after some scent or sound (or perhaps just the thought of all of the above) and no matter how many times you call them they won’t come. Frustrating right? Imagine how us Dachshunds feel with all that nagging!

So it seems the alternative to always worrying that your dog won’t come when called is to keep them safe and secure on a leash at all times. It’s not a bad option, but what happens if you drop the leash, it breaks, or your dog accidentally gets out of the house?

In my mom’s case, she was tired of having to always leash me just to walk out our front door and get into the car to go to work everyday.

Train Your Dog to Get in the Car // Ammo the Dachshund

So instead with a little help from some yummy treats, like these Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats from Chewy.com, mom has trained me to load into the car by myself. Or I guess depending on who you ask, I’ve trained my mom to give me a treat every single day for simply walking to the car (no one ever said dachshunds weren’t smart).

Train Your Dog to Get in the Car // Ammo the Dachshund

The key to the training method my mom has used with me is high value treats. High value just means it’s a treat that your dog LOVES. It has to be something your dog is willing to work for. These Blue Buffalo Wilderness Treats work great because they are nice and soft and meaty yet healthy enough that mom doesn’t feel guilty about giving me one everyday.

Train Your Dog to Get in the Car // Ammo the Dachshund

So in the beginning of my training mom kept me on the leash and put a treat in her hand. She’d lure me to the car every day with the goods and once she lifted me into the car I would get my reward. We did this EVERY SINGLE DAY for several weeks.

Train Your Dog to Get in the Car // Ammo the Dachshund

When I began to look forward to getting my treat in the car every morning (and seemed less interested in exploring the yard) mom removed my leash and continued to lure me to the car.

Train Your Dog to Get in the Car // Ammo the Dachshund

Another few weeks passed and mom stopped walking right next to me and instead went ahead of me to the car and cued me to come load up (and get my treat).

Train Your Dog to Get in the Car // Ammo the Dachshund

A few more weeks later mom stopped carrying the treats in her hand and instead left my Blue Buffalo Wilderness Treats in the car (the handy resealable bag is great for on-the-go-training). She also started allowing me out of the house in front of her.

Train Your Dog to Get in the Car // Ammo the Dachshund

And before she knew it I was running to the car (off leash) each morning and waiting to be lifted into my booster seat.

Now it’s not to say along the training route I didn’t occasionally try to wander off. But when I did mom was quick to retrieve me and return me to the car (without a treat reward for wandering). It didn’t take me long to realize that if I just went directly to the car I’d get a treat every single time.

The key here is routine, consistency, and very very yummy treats.

Train Your Dog to Get in the Car // Ammo the Dachshund

So if you’d like to give this training method a try, or if you simply want a great high-value treat to reward your dog with, I highly recommend the Blue Buffalo Wilderness Treats from Chewy.com.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Treats:

  • Grain-free treats
  • High-quality protein source
  • DHA to help support cognitive development
  • Omega 3 & 6 fatty acids to promote skin and coat health
  • Great for training
  • No corn, wheat or soy
  • Made in the USA

How trustworthy is your dog off leash? 

Disclaimer: My mom is not a professional trainer and theseAmmo the Dachshund are just methods that have worked for me. They may not be suitable for all dogs and always exercise caution when allowing your dog off-leash especially near busy roads or dangerous areas. Happy Training!

Watch This

Posted on by

Watch This // Training Horses Through Mimicking // Ammo the Dachshund

Whenever it’s time to work on training the ponies I’m never too far as I love offering encouraging words to my ponies as they learn new skills and tricks.

Watch This // Training Horses Through Mimicking // Ammo the Dachshund

My buddy Boomerang here is learning how to be more comfortable on a teeter totter.

Watch This // Training Horses Through Mimicking // Ammo the Dachshund

Sometimes though, the ponies learn best by watching someone else do it first. So I offer up my skills, and tell Boomerang to watch this as I plod effortlessly across the teeter totter. In theory, watching someone else do it helps my ponies to realize it’s not as scary as it seems.

Watch This // Training Horses Through Mimicking // Ammo the Dachshund

Although it would also help if Boomerang was actually paying attention instead of sneaking grass behind me! Sigh. Ammo the Dachshund

Updated Trick Box

Posted on by

Spring Doxie Fest 2013 // Ammo the Dachshund performs

If you’ve been following along with my adventures for a while, then you may recall I have a special trick box that I use for performances.

Spring Doxie Fest 2013 // Ammo the Dachshund performs

It’s served me well as I’ve performed at many venues over the years, but it was time for a little change.

Nipomo Imprints Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund - Super Hero

You might also remember that I asked all of you to weigh in how I should use my new decals on my trick box (and maybe even my helmet). Well a long 6 months later I FINALLY got around to giving my trick box a little updating!

Ammo the Dachshund's Trick Box

Ammo the Dachshund's Trick Box

Mom helped me scrape off my old decal, add a fresh coat of paint, and reapply my decal from Nipomo Imprints for a brand-new look!

Ammo the Dachshund's Trick Box

I think it turned out pretty spiffy!

Ammo the Dachshund's Trick Box

Ammo the Dachshund's Trick Box

It’s the perfect box for super hero crime fighting and save the world type adventures, and I can’t wait to bring it along on my next performance!

Ammo the Dachshund's Trick Box

Next though, I think my helmet might be begging for a fresh coat of paint! Super heroes can’t wear dinged up helmets of course! Ammo the Dachshund

Preparing for the Dachshund Races

Posted on by

On Sunday I’m packing a bag and heading to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for their annual Oktoberfest! Not only do I plan to mix and mingle among fans of my german heritage, but mom and dad have also entered me into the Dachshund Races.

It’s been a number of years since I’ve put on my running shoes and raced, but the last time I did I came in as the reserve champ! So I figured it was time to lace up my sneakers again and get to training so that I have an even better chance at winning this time.

Wish me luck! Ammo the Dachshund

Stepping it up on the Agility Course

Posted on by

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?!

My Pickle Pocket – Treat Dispenser for Dogs

Posted on by

Disclaimer: This review contains affiliate links.

Recently mom picked up a new toy for me called the Pickle Pocket; after hearing some rave reviews from some of my dog agility classmates. Designed for treat dispensing, I was eager to give it a try, especially after I’ve mastered and broken many a treat dispensing toys including kongs and my kicker box (which is far too easy for me now).

Pickle Pocket - Treat Dispenser for Dogs - Review // Ammo the Dachshund

My new pickle toy is different from many of the other treat dispensers I’ve tried. This one contains three lengthwise slits across the product which are meant to hold your dog’s favorite snack or kibble.

Pickle Pocket - Treat Dispenser for Dogs - Review // Ammo the Dachshund

Pickle Pocket - Treat Dispenser for Dogs - Review // Ammo the Dachshund

Mom has been experimenting stuffing it with lots of different things like string cheese, peanut butter, cookies, dog food, and even hot dogs.

Pickle Pocket - Treat Dispenser for Dogs - Review // Ammo the Dachshund

I can honestly say that this toy takes a bit of work to get the yummies out. Five cookies takes me about 20 minutes to eat – and I’m an expert at treat dispensing!

Pickle Pocket - Treat Dispenser for Dogs - Review // Ammo the Dachshund

The Pickle Pocket also boasts that it’s virtually indestructible (so far it’s survived my shark-like teeth), FDA approved, floats in water, and is dishwasher safe.

Even though this toys takes a bit of work on my part, I’m not complaining, because a constant flow of cookies is NEVER a problem!

You can fetch the pickle pocket HERE. Links contain affiliates. Ammo the Dachshund