Tips for Crate Training Your Adult Dog #CrateHappyPets

Posted on March 23, 2015 by Ammo

This 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!

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 March 19, 2015 by Ammo

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 these 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!

U+ Naturals Dog Paw Butter Review & Giveaway

Posted on March 17, 2015 by Ammo

Disclaimer: This post and giveaway is brought to you by U+ Naturals, and all opinions are my own. I only share products I think you and your dogs will love.

**Update** It appears that this company is unfortunately no longer in business.

U+ Naturals Paw Butter Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

A few weeks ago my new friends over at U+ Naturals sent me some of their Dog Paw Butter to test out.

U+ Naturals Paw Butter Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Just like humans, us dogs get dry and cracked paws too, especially during the harsh winter. My paws were certainly no exception as they take quite a beating on the farm.

U+ Naturals Paw Butter Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Luckily I now have a secret weapon to fight off those dry paws! The U+ Naturals Dog Paw Butter is made with food-grade ingredients and is certified organic by the FDA.

What’s inside:

Organic shea butter
Organic coconut oil
Organic beeswax
Organic olive oil
Hemp seed oil
Vitamin E

U+ Naturals Paw Butter Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

So over the last few weeks I started applying the Paw Butter to my paws at night. The handy chap-stick style dispenser made it easy to put on, and the only challenge my mom found was keeping me from licking it off!

U+ Naturals Paw Butter Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

But the good news is that the ingredients are safe enough that they won’t harm me if I do get a lick or two. My Mom found wrapping me up in a blanket afterwards while I waited for my paws to dry helped deter me from licking it off.

U+ Naturals Paw Butter Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

And you know what, after using it for a little while my paws were already starting to look and feel a lot softer!

U+ Naturals not only makes Dog Paw Butter, but they also sell lotions and bath melts for humans too. So if you want to pick up something fun for you or your dog from U+ Naturals you can use code tinyammo to save 20% off your order!

And now for the best part….

U+ Naturals Paw Butter Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

TWO LUCKY WINNERS WILL WIN A BUTTER SET FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG!
*one dog paw butter, on 8oz Body Butter (for humans) in the scent of your choice, and one set of bath butter rose petal melts (for humans)

Here’s HOW TO WIN:

To enter use the Rafflecopter widget below. Winners will be chosen at random and you will be contacted via e-mail to claim your prize (and don’t worry we don’t share your e-mail with anyone). 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. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: this post is sponsored by U+ Naturals, but all opinions are entirely my own!

Friday Fetch: Good Dog Build-a-Leash

Posted on March 13, 2015 by Ammo

Customization is one of my favorite things. If you want something cool, then you might as well design it yourself! So when I stumbled across Good Dog Leash, I just knew I had to share their customizable leash options.

By choosing a handle and a coil you can piece together many different color combinations and lengths. How fun!

Friday Fetch: Good Dog Leash Customizable Coil Leash // Ammo the Dachshund

As a bonus the Good Dog Leash Company claims that their coil design is much safer to the alternative retractable zip leashes!

You can fetch these leashes and more from Good Dog Leash.

Disclosure: This is not a sponsored post, nor do I own any of these products. Just simply wanted to share my latest find!

Spring Bark and Where I’m Headed Next

Posted on March 12, 2015 by Ammo

I’ve got some exciting news! Recently I found out that I’m a finalist in the BlogPaws Nose-to-Nose Awards for the Best Dog Blog & Best Pet Blog Photo.

Ammo the Dachshund Studio Photos

It’s enough to make me feel like a celebrity!

What makes the Nose-to-Nose awards a little different is that this is the only pet industry awards on which pet bloggers and micro-bloggers are judged on the expertise, performance, and creativity of their blog. Each category is judged by a distinguished panel of professionals, and not by popular vote. So don’t worry I won’t be begging for votes (not that I’ve ever been a fan of that anyway), now begging for cookies, that’s another story!

Ammo the Dachshund Studio Photos

Oh gosh, I can just feel the love!

The best part is that winners will be revealed in an exclusive red carpet ceremony at the BlogPaws Annual Conference in Nashville, Tennessee at the end of May.

My Bags are Packed // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m already excitedly making some plans so I can hopefully take a week-long road trip to attend the event. Which is great news for you too, because that means when I get back from my trip I’ll have a whole SLEW of adventures to share with you! You know, like where the best trees to pee on in Tennessee are, and what kind of squirrels they have in Virginia….the important stuff.

Nashville, Tenessee - Road Trip // Ammo the Dachshund

So if you know of any great dog friendly spots that I can stop and see on my road trip in a couple of months let me know in the comments below! I can’t wait!

AND THAT’S NOT ALL….

Details below are brought to you by Barkbox and contain affiliate links. But don’t worry, all opinions are entirely my own and I wouldn’t be telling you about Barkbox if I didn’t love them as much as I do!

If that weren’t enough good news…..I’ve got even more! Barkbox is having a Spring Bark Celebration this month with some extra goodies just for you! Woohoo #SpringBark2015

Spring Bark! SAVE BIG at Barkbox with code AMMO5 // Ammo the Dachshund

Use code AMMO5 on any new Barkbox subscription from now until March 15th and you’ll receive 1 FREE MONTH + get an additional month FREE FOR A FRIEND! (Because Spring Bark is more fun with friends!).

Spring Bark! SAVE BIG at Barkbox with code AMMO5 // Ammo the Dachshund

And let me tell you, a subscription to Barkbox is enough to give your pup a total #springbarkhangover!

I’ll catch you all later after I recover from my Barkbox hangover!

Rejeneril Review & Giveaway – Helping Dogs Live Longer Healthier Lives

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Ammo

Disclaimer: This post and giveaway is brought to you by My Ultimate Pet & Rejeneril.

The sad truth is that all us pets get older. But the good news is there are supplements out there to help your pet live a longer, healthier life.

rejeneril pet supplement // Ammo the Dachshund

Rejeneril is one such supplement that is clinically proven and veterinarian recommended to boost your dog’s natural energy and reduce joint pain.

My Ultimate Pet - Rejeneril

With multiple benefits to your dog’s health, including:

Improving health and longevity
Helping build a strong immune system
Setting the foundation for a disease-free life
Preventing and clearing skin problems
Treating dry, itchy skin
Reducing arthritis and joint pain
And many more!

Studies and clinical use have proven that Rejeneril® is highly effective, fast-acting, completely safe, and non-toxic.

Canidae Dog Treats Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

As much as I love to think that I’ll be this nimble and quick for years and years to come, it’s nice to know that there are products out there that will get me back to feeling like a pup again when I’m a bit older.

A Day at the Beach // Ammo the Dachshund

Since I’m a little too young to need a supplement like Rejeneril myself I did not actually test out this product (I’ve already got more than enough energy to go around according to my mom!) But you can check out these honest reviews from some real life pups who did:

The general consensus from all these dogs was that it really works – improved skin and with a little more pep in their step, these dogs seemed to really benefit from taking Renjeneril.

Rejeneril is a supplement that you can give to your dog by placing a few drops (amount is dependent on size of dog) into your pet’s food. One small bottle can last a small dog up to 4 months. If you’d like to try Rejeneril for your pet you can fetch it from My Ultimate Pet. Use the code AMMO to get 15% off of your order of Rejeneril.

And now for the best part….

rejeneril pet supplement // Ammo the Dachshund

THREE LUCKY WINNERS WILL WIN A BOTTLE OF REJENERIL!

Here’s HOW TO WIN:

For this giveaway I will be using, Rafflecopter. By entering your e-mail will be added to the Rejeneril e-mail list. Winners will be chosen at random and 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 on 3/17/15 12AM EST. Open to USA and CANADA residents only. Winners must claim their prizes within 48 hours of being notified or prize will be forfeited. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclaimer: this post is sponsored by My Ultimate Pet, but all opinions are entirely my own!

Friday Fetch: Arm the Animals

Posted on March 6, 2015 by Ammo

Online shop, Arm the Animals, has only one mission, to help the animals one shirt at a time. They create T-Shirts that make a statement, raise awareness, and generate funds for small, struggling animal rescues. They donate a portion of all their sales each month to rescues in need. And honestly, considering my name is AMMO, these seemed right up my alley!

Friday Fetch: Arm the Animals // Ammo the Dachshund

So help the animals, and fetch these items and more from Arm the Animals.

Disclosure: this is not a sponsored post, nor do I own any of these products. Just wanted to share my latest find!

February 2015 Monthly Recap

Posted on March 5, 2015 by Ammo

Before we get to the recap of all the exciting adventures I’ve been on in February, I wanted to give a shoutout to my special sponsors! Thanks to them I’m able to bring you exciting posts, so make sure you give them some love and check out what great products they carry!

Rejeneril is the world’s first scientifically-validated, clinically proven, patented and Veterinarian recommended product that will change your dog’s life. This supplement can help with your older dog’s arthritis and joint pain, and even helps them to feel more youthful and energetic. So much so that Rejenerial even backs their product with a 30 day money back guarantee.

Shop now and save 15% off your purchase with code AMMO.

Barkbox is a monthly subscription service for your dog. Starting as low as $19 a month (shipping included) you can get a box of the finest treats and toys sent right to your front door every month! Choose from packages for small, medium, and large dogs and as a bonus 10% of their sales go to supporting rescue groups! You can check out just what goodies your dog could be getting every month by reading my reviews!

Use code AMMO5 for 10% off your Barkbox Subscription.

Ruffwear carries performance dog gear designed to enhance and inspire outdoor adventures for dogs and their human companions. Totally my kind of company that carries anything from dog hiking packs, harnesses, camping essentials and more! You can check out my review of their dog boots (that even work for dachshund’s too) as well as the Ruffwear Swamp Cooler to keep your pup cool in the summer and one of my favorites, the Ruffwear Front Range Harness!

Free Shipping on all orders over $75 at Ruffwear!

If you would like to find out more about advertising with me, click HERE. And thanks again to all of my wonderful sponsors, I couldn’t do it without you!

And now onto my February Adventures…

Paws Jaws Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

I took to the snow in my boots, and tested out a handy tool for the winter called Paws Jawz.

Chase n' Chomp // Tough Toys for Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared my list of 10 tough toys for dogs….for all those pups that have jaws of steel just like me!

Dachshund Life Struggle // The Struggle is Real // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared my new photo series of Dachshund Life Struggles, because being a dachshund can be so hard.

How to Maintain your Dog's Teeth // Ammo the Dachshund // Pet Dental Health Month

I shared some tips on how I maintain my pearly whites.

When Big Dogs Play with Small Dogs // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared my tips for playing with the big dogs.

Happy Valentine's Day // Ammo the Dachshund

I wished everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day.

Earn money for rescue dogs by walking your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared how you can help rescue dogs simply by walking your own dog.

Frozen Lake // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared my adventures on the frozen lake with my family.

Dachshund Gets Stuck Under Shed // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared a throwback thursday to that one time I got stuck under a shed.

Fuji and Friends T-Shirt Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared some fun T-shirts from my pals at Fuji and Friends.

Adventures in the Snow // Ammo the Dachshund

I played in the snow in my backyard.

Eyefi Mobi Wifi SD Card

I shared a comprehensive list of all the products I use and love, including the camera gear my mom uses to take such sweet photos of me!

What fun February has been! What sort of adventures did you go on last month? Any one else looking forward to Spring?

Winter on the Farm

Posted on March 4, 2015 by Ammo