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!
I like to think I’m a pretty fit dog. I mean I exercise regularly, I try to eat a healthy meal (aside from that 1/2 a hoagie I stole off the dining room table the other day….but that hardly counts), and I’m always ready for fun adventures!
So when I recently caught sight of the TV show, American Ninja Warrior, I was totally hooked! I mean I could EASILY get through those tough obstacle courses.
Half the battle is having flair anyway, and I totally have that covered!
Unfortunately American Ninja Warrior doesn’t accept dog submissions. But, that wasn’t going to stop me from having a little fun of my own, because I invented AMERICAN BARN WARRIOR….
Just as challenging, and with equal amounts of flair, American Barn Warrior is going to be the next big thing.
Hay Bale obstacles, trenches, and perhaps a horse or two….it’s not for the faint of heart (or those of you who didn’t eat your wheaties today!).
So what do you think, are you up for the challenge? Do you think you could master my American Barn Warrior Challenge?
Disclosure: This post and giveaway is brought to you by the Dog Agility Shop. All opinions are my own and I only share products I think you and your dog will love!
Us dogs are powerful, muscled beasts (well when we’re in proper shape), and I’ve always been one to believe that the greatest service you can do for your dog is to help them keep in shape! As hard as it is to “feel the burn”, I’ve always believed that being the ideal weight will help keep us dogs from getting injuries, health problems, and even back issues (especially important for us dachshunds). Which is also why I’m so excited to tell you about a product to help keep your pup well muscled from my friends at the Dog Agility Shop.
Introducing the Wobble Board! The Wobble Board from the Dog Agility Shop is a 22″ wide board that sits about 3.5″ off the ground.
The attached wooden ball to the underside keeps the board “wobbly”. It’s even painted with silica (sand) on the surface for added traction.
The Wobble Board has lots of great benefits for your dog:
With Trooper as my coach, mom used some yummy treats to lure me onto the Wobble Board.
Once I was confident enough to put all 4 paws on, she used the treat to lure me around on the board to get my core really working! But to really get the full effect of how the Wobble Board works, you’ll have to watch me in action…
I’ve actually been using the Wobble Board a couple time a week, and it’s going to be great in the winter months especially when it’s a little too cold to run around on the farm. I’ll use this to keep fit indoors!
You can fetch your own Wobble Board from the Dog Agility Shop in two fun colors, Purple or Blue for $49!
And now for the best part….
TWO WINNERS WILL WIN A WOBBLE BOARD! ($49 value!)
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).
Read our full Terms & Conditions for this giveaway.
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What if I told you that by simply taking your dog for a daily walk you could be helping rescue animals? You’d probably say I was crazy right? Well guess what my friend, the future is here!
It’s super simple with an app for iPhone & Android called Walk for a Dog by WoofTrax. All you have to do is download the free app, choose the rescue group you want to walk for, and start the app every time you take your dog for a walk.
Walk for a Dog also keeps track of the distance, speed, and duration your walks are, but the best part is no matter how long or short your walk is – you can still earn money for your rescue group of choice!
Walk for a Dog’s donations to animal organizations are funded by sponsorship, advertising, and investors, and they send donations to active shelters and rescues about twice per year.
I love that no matter whether I’m on my daily walk to work……
….or off on a monstrous hike with my doggie friends, I can still be helping rescue animals at the same time.
So before you head off on your next walk with your dog, make sure you download the Walk for a Dog App!
First three images via WoofTrax Instagram Page.
A few months ago I shared a collection of fall sweaters that were designed to fit my fellow dachshund friends. Well now that the colder weather has set in I thought it would be fun to share my recommendations for winter coats too!
So here is my collection of 10 Winter Coats that Fit Dachshunds – some of which I’ve tried and tested, and a few that seem to fit the bill for all those short legged/long backed doxies out there!
1. Voyagers K9 Apparel Winter Dog Coat
One of my go-to coats every winter is my Voyagers K9 Winter Coat. I’ve owned this coat since 2011 – and it’s held up fabulously over the years. It’s great on the farm, and the added hood is fabulous at keeping my ears warm. Not to mention I look oh-so-stylish when wearing it! You can fetch your own from Voyagers K9.
Over the years I’ve owned many Noodle and Friends Coats. Designed with the long bodied dogs in mind they also feature extra chest protection (great for when you’re low to the ground) and one of my favorite features – a built in d-ring so you don’t have to wear a harness too! Check out the entire line of dog coats from Noodle and Friends.
3. Teckelklub
While I’ve never had the chance to try one of these TeckelKlub Coats, they do look exceptionally warm! These coats come in a variety of sizes to fit many dogs, and have a variety of lengths to accommodate the dachshund’s long bodies! You can even get them embroidered with your dog’s name! I’ve heard from several of my fans that this company makes some great coats. You can fetch one of these coats from TeckelKlub.
4. Hurtta
After winning a photo contest I got the chance to test out one of these Hurtta Summit Parka’s, and it’s an awesome winter coat that’s exceptionally warm. I love that they have openings for harnesses, and the added draw strings on the back makes it so you can adjust them to fit any length dog, even dachshunds! Fetch your own from Hurtta.
5. Ruffwear
I’ve owned the Ruffwear Climate Changer for quite some time now. And I have to say it is one of the warmest coats I’ve ever owned. Now while it’s not specifically designed for dachshunds, these coats are actually very long in the body and seem to fit my unique build like a glove. The only issue I had with the Climate Changer is that sometimes my legs got caught inside the sleeves (since they are a little extra long) – but mom fixed this issue for me by hemming them up some. But Ruffwear does make several winter coat designs that don’t have sleeves, which would likely be a little more conducive to short legged dachshunds without the need to do some hemming. You can fetch this coat and more from Ruffwear (*contains affiliate links)
These horse blanket style dachshund coats are designed to fit the shorter leg breeds. While I haven’t tried this brand personally, I did used to own a blanket style coat when I was a puppy that fit me very well. You can fetch the Foggy Mountain Dachshund Coat from True Fit Dog Coats.
These handmade fleece coats from Lupo & Olimp are exceptionally soft and warm. They are by far the thickest and warmest fleece jackets I have ever warm, and are great for layering on really cold days on the farm. The best part is they are handmade to fit your own dog! You can fetch them in a variety of colors from Lupo & Olimp Co. on Etsy.
The folks at Pepper Pet Wear make a variety of winter coats – all of which can be custom made to fit your dog – dachshunds included! I’m always a big fan of coats that have added protection under the belly, and these definitely do that! Read my full review on the Pepper Pet Wear Coats. You can check out these custom pet coats from Pepper Pet Wear on Etsy.
While I’ve never warm one, Dachshund Delights makes a whole line of custom coats for Dachshunds. From fleece, to hardier winter wear they have it all, including coats with built in harnesses. You can fetch one of these winter coats from Dachshund Delights.
10. DJANGO Reversible Puffer Vest*
(*Ammo received compensation from DJANGO in exchange for an honest review of their Puffer Reversible Dog Coat)
Ok seriously, every dog needs a puffer vest – it’s just so stylish! My friends at DJANGO sent me this one in sage green, and I totally love that it’s reversible to a fun red plaid color. They come in a variety of sizes and I love that they fit us deep chested dogs perfectly. They also have the much coveted (in my opinion) hole in the back for a leash attachment. You can fetch one from DJANGO.* Use Discount code AMMO15 for 15% off DJANGO’s Puffer Reversible Dog Coat (1 use per customer)
To see a list of all the dog gear I’ve tested and love make sure you check out my favorite dog gear list!
So there you have it, my fun collection of winter coats designed to keep your Dachshund warm! Have any to add? Post your suggestions in the comments below!
After my vet gave me a thumbs up last week for keeping myself in tip top shape I thought it would be the perfect time to share some of my tips for keeping trim. And just in time for Thanksgiving too!
The ideal weight for a dog can be determined by being able to feel the ribs slightly, having an abdomen that is tucked when viewed from the side, and a visible waist behind the ribs when viewed from the top.
My ideal weight for my size is around 18 pounds, and at my most recent check-up my vet could feel my ribs and I have a visible waist as seen from the photo above. It’s not easy keeping weight down (especially when you love to eat like I do), but hopefully with some of my tips you’ll be on your way to keeping your pet at a healthy weight for them!
Tip 1: Keep Active
Now I’m the first to admit that I don’t actually go on a daily walk everyday, but that doesn’t mean I’m not active!
I visit the family farm about 4 days a week – where I run my heart out! I enjoy running from groundhog hole to groundhog hole and I’m never in one place for very long. This sort of mental and physical stimulation help keeps me in shape.
5 days a week I work at mom’s shop, and while it may not be an intense workout, just being active and greeting customers helps keep me on the move. I’m a strong believer that mental stimulation is just as important as physical stimulation to keep your pet fit.
On the weekends I tend to go on one or two adventures, whether it’s a trip to lowes or a walk on the trail it’s a great way to keep me active.
Tip 2: Feed the Right Amount
Currently I eat two brands of food, Wellness Small Breed
Now you’ll notice that on the back of all dog food bags they list recommended feeding amounts:
Based on my ideal weight of 18 lbs both bags recommend that I eat about 1 – 1 1/2 cups of food per day. But you will also notice that both bags note that dogs are individuals and these are just recommendations, and what you should feed your dog might vary from the chart.
In actuality I eat 1/3 a cup twice a day, which is much less than the recommended amount for my weight.
My mom has chosen this amount for me over the years by monitoring my weight and cutting my food back slowly until she found an appropriate amount that was able to keep me at a healthy weight. She watches my waist line closely and always cuts my food back if it starts to look a little less trim.
This amount of food might not look like enough to you, but you have to remember that us dogs keep food in our bellies for a long time. (Evident by the fact that hours upon hours after eating we can still throw up some pretty undigested food….yuck!)
When in doubt about how much you should feed your dog, you should always consult your veterinarian.
Tip 3: Take a Class
Typically once a week I take a dog agility class at my local training center. This helps keep me fit and keeps me thinking and learning too!
Taking any sort of class, even just a basic obedience class, is a great way to keep your dog active. Not just for puppies, any dog, any age, can benefit from training classes!
Tip 4: Use Treats Sparingly
I review a lot of treats on the blog, but that doesn’t mean that I’m allowed to have them whenever I want. Mom keeps a tight watch on the cookie jar and I’m only allowed to have small treats when we are training.
I also try to keep most of the treats I eat on the healthy end of the scale, like eating sweet potato treats.
Tip 5: Limit Table Scraps
As a general rule I’m not allowed to have table scraps (although that doesn’t stop me from trying). The only exception to this rule is when mom will let me have bits of apple and carrots when she’s cutting them up. But for the most part it’s best for me just to eat the food that was designed for dogs.
So I hope you enjoyed my tips for keeping your pet fit and trim! Here’s to hoping we all live long and healthy lives!
Disclosure: This is supposed to be a general guide on how I keep myself fit, but you may need to consult your veterinarian as to what and how much to feed & exercise your own pet. Each pet is different!