One of the most common questions we get is “where did you get ______?”. So I’ve decided to compile a list of the must-have items that we have tested, love, and use regularly. Some are products we used with Ammo for years and years before his passing in 2024 (and we still love), while others we have discovered with our new puppy, Flip.

Disclaimer: Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I use all of the products listed and recommend them because they are companies that I know and love.

Updated: January 12, 2025

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Daily Gear:

Ruffwear Front Range Harness – Ammo’s used this daily as a walking harness and in the car. If fit him great and wass easy to put on, plus the extra padding in the front is a great feature to have. It even has a spot in the back for id tags and identification! You can check out a past review we did of the Ruffwear Frontrange Harness.

Ruffwear Slackline Leash – Ammo’s daily leash that was used for walks and leaving the house. I love that it can extend or shorten to two different lengths, can easily be used to tether dogs if need be, and even has a handy loop for holding poop bags. It’s our favorite go-to leash for everyday use and has lasted many years with no wear and tear. Read our review on the Ruffwear Slackline Leash.

Ruffwear Roamer Leash – This is our go-to leash for extended walks and hiking. I love that it stretches to give more walking distance, and is much safer than a zip leash. As a bonus it can be worn around the waist for easy hands free walking and has a super strong “claw” clasp. You can check out our review of the Ruffwear Roamer Leash.

Lounge Collars – Our favorite type of collar are these slip on leather collars. They are thin and allow us to always keep an ID tag on without too much bulk. You can still add a wider collar on-top to “accessorize” if you really want.

Glow Collar – these light-up led glow collars are a staple at our house, made by a company called Glowdoggie. Unfortunately the company has since gone out of business – and honestly they are still our favorite of all time. While we still own several that are still working – we have since used a back-up brand that we do like too. The only drawback is they have to be recharged (but do last a long time). So once our battery operated Glowdoggie collars finally die we will eventually convert to these from Amazon.

GPS Tracker – After our favorite tracker went out of business, we switched over to Tractive. This GPS tracker easily attaches to your dog’s collar and is a total life saver. Ammo wore it wear when he was on the farm and with a handy app that works on your phone you can track exactly where your pet is at any given time.

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Food:

Farmer’s Dog – Ammo ate the Farmer’s Dog food for the last several years of his life exclusively. It comes in frozen packs that you can store in your freezer and thaw when ready to feed. Their meals are prepared in human food facilities, where each recipe is gently cooked at low temperatures according to human-grade standards.  Their freshly made, nutritionally-balanced food is great for dogs of all ages.

Dr. Harvey’s – Our new puppy, Flip, came to us eating a strictly kibble diet at 9 weeks old. We quickly switched him over to Dr. Harvey’s Canine Health base mix and home cook all of his protein for him. We also use Dr. Harvey’s oil, and add in the recommended cottage cheese and greek yogurt for puppies. He has been growing wonderfully and anxiously awaits mealtime everyday.

Plato Organic Chicken Treat – Ammo was first introduced to these in one of his Barkbox subscriptions boxes and they have been a favorite ever since. We once pulled them out at one of Ammo’s dog agility classes and he flew around the course at top speed to get his paws on one of these treats! We highly recommend them for training sessions, and love that they are made from great ingredients.

Antlers – As most dogs do, sometimes they need something to occupy them during the day. These split antlers from Amazon are not as hard on the teeth – since they are softer in the middle than the outside, and provide entertainment for busy pups throughout the day.

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Winter:

Voyagers K9 Apparel – Ammo’s yellow jacket that he wore on the farm is the most popular one people want to know about. Ammo had it for years and years and it holds up great to the rigors of farm life. We also own a raincoat and fleece from the same company that we love as well. It’s the toughest jacket our dogs own, and we are hoping it will last for many more years to come so that Flip can get use out of it too.

Ruffwear Climate Changer – We love this fleece as it is one of the warmest fleeces Ammo wore, and as a bonus it zips up instead of using velcro. At 20lbs Ammo wore a size XS. We did have to do a slight modification to it by shortening the legs (we just cut the leg holes shorter with a pair of scissors), but it did fit his body great in the length and chest. It’s great for indoor or outdoor use and we frequently layered it under other clothing.

Noodle and Friends – Ammo owned several winter jackets (and even a fleece) from Noodle and Friends. These are designed to fit dachshund shaped bodies and their styles are oh so fun. We also love that they have a built-in D-ring so there is no need to wear a harness. Many of them are reversible and even come with handy pockets for carrying small items. Check out the ones we own: The Executive, The Blizzard Parka, and The Reversible Pea Coat.

My Canine Kids Fleece – This fleece is great because not only did it cover Ammo’s chest and belly, but it also has adjustable straps that can fit a variety of sized dogs. It did sit a little shorter on Ammo’s back than some of the specifically designed dachshund coats, but it’s still extra warm. Ammo liked to wear this one in the fall or underneath a heavier coat while on the farm.

Lime Green Sweater – Ammo’s hand-knit lime green sweater is one of the staples in his wardrobe. He loved to wear it in the fall as it adds just a little extra warmth for those chilly fall days. It is a little too delicate to wear on the farm, and does not include a harness hole. Handmade for Ammo by the Etsy Shop, By Chance Designs, and can be knit to fit a variety of dogs in many different colors.

Pawz Boots – These boots stay on fantastic and are reusable and also disposable. They help to protect dog’s paws in the winter and our dogs tend to wear them when they’ll be out for extended periods of time in the snow or will be walking where there is a lot of salt. You can check out a review we did of a handy tool called, Paws Jawz, to put these on your dog easier.

Hurtta Summit Parka – After winning a contest Ammo won one of these lovely winter coats from Hurtta. Even though it’s not specifically made for dachshunds it’s got a lot of adjustable features that make them great for fitting any sized dog. It’s extra thick and warm and we love that it protects dog’s underbelly from the cold. Ammo loved wearing this coat on the farm to keep warm in the winter.

Heat Lamp – Ammo lived a pretty pampered life. And in the winter months he loved nothing more than to be warm. So instead of freezing his buns off he loved to relax under a heat lamp that we set up over his dog bed.

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At Home:

Slow Feeder Dog Bowls – Slow feeder dog bowls are all the rage right now, as there are great benefits to getting your pups to eat slower. These are our favorite colorful and fun slow feeder bowls. We like that they are not made of plastic, but instead ceramic and are durable and dishwasher safe.

Molly Mutt Dog Bed & Crate Covers – We use these for dog beds around the house, as well as their crate covers. They come in fun patterns and are also eco-friendly because you provide the filling by stuffing it with old blankets, pillows & towels.

Dog Crate – We have used the same pet crate since Ammo was a puppy. While he never really took to sleeping in it, our new pup, Flip loves it and sleeps in it every night. It has held up well for over 16+ years and we foresee it being with us for many more years to come. Our dogs use the 25″ x 18″ size.

 X-Pen – We have had this x-pen for years, even when Ammo was young. It’s great to keep your dog out of certain areas, or keep them penned up when you leave home. When our new puppy Flip came we used it outside as a designated pee spot which really helped to speed up house training. We have the 30″ height, but a shorter height would work great for smaller dogs as it’s easier to lean or step over.

Re-useable Pee Pads – We used these washable and reusable pee pads inside our puppy Flip’s x-pen while house training him. They were great for the occasional accidents and easily washable to be used again.

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Toys:

Cheerble Dog Ball– A gift for Ammo to try years ago, their balls have become a favorite around the house. Some bounce, roll, and wiggle all on their own – and are so much fun to play with. Flip especially loves wrestling and playing fetch with it. Definitely a toy to be monitored so your pup doesn’t destroy it.

Pickle Pocket – The pickle pocket is a tough rubber toy (in a pickle shape) that has slots for stuffing treats into. It’s durable and great for keeping your dog occupied. It’s a definite must toy for those tough chewers out there and is even safe in the dishwasher. We love that it makes stuffing with standard cookies quick and easy. Read our review of the Pickle Pocket on the blog.

Barkbox – While not technically a toy, this monthly subscription box of goodies is one of our favorite things that arrives at our door each month. Always filled with healthy treats and toys, you can’t go wrong. They come in a variety of sizes for any dog, and you can even customize for dogs with allergies. (Use code AMMO for 10% off your order)

Flirt Pole – this is actually a home-made toy that Ammo LOVED! It’s essentially a dog toy tied to a pole that use to play with the dogs. It was one of Ammo’s favorites and really kicked in his prey drive. You can read the tutorial we created and make one for your dog, or purchase one online if you aren’t the do it yourself type. Either way your dog is going to love it!

Bouncing Squirrel Tail – This fun vibrating, bouncing, and noise making toy entered Ammo’s life during Christmas 2015. It quickly became one of his very favorite toys as it bounced it’s way into his heart! Check out the video of Ammo having a blast with his new toy.

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Travel:

Booster Seat– Ammo loved this booster seat because it gave him a great view out the car window and even has an added heater in the seat to keep it warm in the winter months. But the real reason he rode in one is because it has a seat belt attachment to keep your dog safe in the event of an accident. We did upgrade the original seatbelt tether it came with to this one, but it still works great! Read our review of the K&H Bucket Booster Seat.

Sleepypod Yummy Bowl – We love this travel bowl and keep it with us in the car all the time. It’s great for bringing along a meal on the go as well as your water too. It comes in handy for lots of travel situations and even has a special feature to keep ants out of your dog’s food when camping. The bowls are also dishwasher safe and can even be frozen! Read our full review of the Yummy Bowl on the blog.

Ruffwear Life Vest
We always make sure to have our dogs wear a life vest in and around the water in the summer. The Ruffwear Float Coat is the best fitted floatation device we have ever found for the hard to fit dachshund shape. It has handy attachments for leashes & even a safety light. Check out our full review on the blog.

Portable Fan – During the summer months we always keep this portable fan in the car. It’s great to turn on if need to run a quick errand and your dog is hanging in the car. Always be aware of hot temperatures though, and never leave your dog unattended in the car on too hot of a day.

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Saw us using something you don’t see on this list? Just shoot us an email at info@ammothedachshund.com and ask!