Did you hear that? It’s the sound of cheering!
Cheering because we’re ringing in the New Year! It’s now 2013!
I had a great 2012, but I’m really looking forward to kicking off 2013 with a bang!
I can’t wait for all the fun adventures that 2013 will hold, and I hope you’ll stick around for the ride!
xoxo, 
Every year I put on my best holiday gear and get ready for the Downingtown Christmas Parade in town.
This year was no exception!
Being that I have a 9-5 job working as official shop greeter at mom’s shop in town, parade time I have to work extra hard to invite parade goers into the shop for free hot cider & cookies!
Luckily I’m pretty cute, so my job usually isn’t that hard. *wink*
After working hard at the shop all morning I was excited to hear that the parade was about to start. I made sure I got a front row seat for all the action!
The parade was just as fabulous as always, but the most exciting part is always SANTA!
And MRS. CLAUS too!
Hey Santa! I hope you got my Christmas List! See you again in a few days!
DIY and Cookies, what’s more to love? Today I have a very special holiday diy to share with you, it’s simple, it’s easy, and it involves cookies!
DIY Holiday Dog Cookie Jar
Supplies:
Step 1: Lay out your painters tape on a cuttable surface (self-healing mats work great) and trace around your dog bone shaped cookie cutter (or any stencil you would like to use).
Step 2: Cut the shape out with an exacto knife.
Step 3: Position your cut-out shape on the mason jar where-ever you would like it.
Step 4: Spray paint the jar in any color you would like.
Step 5: When the jar is dry remove the painters tape and fill with your favorite cookies!
I filled my jar with some peanut butter cookies from the Three Dog Bakery, but if you are looking for some recipes you might want to check out this E-book from Pretty Fluffy.
My new DIY Holiday Dog Cookie Jar would make the perfect gift this holiday to give to my best friend Trooper, however my tummy might have the final ruling on this one. I’m sure Trooper won’t mind if I eat just a few!
Last week mom and dad took me to Waterloo Gardens to see Santa. I was so excited because I couldn’t wait to tell him all of the lovely gifts I wanted him to pack on his sleigh for me.
Mom and dad snapped lots of photos of me, and I made sure to pack my reindeer antlers….just in case Santa was in need of one more reindeer for his sleigh!
Sadly Santa saw right though my cardboard antlers, but he made me feel much better with a great big Christmas hug! Best day ever!
Little did I know, later in the week I’d get to see Santa again, this time at the Animal Clinic at Thorndale. This trip to Santa gave me a chance to donate money to the fund for Hurricane Sandy Disaster Relief. Yay for helping the animals!
I’ll have to wait a bit longer to see the professional photos from Clocks for Seeing Photography, but mom and dad were able to snap this shot of me on Santa’s lap.
Yes, I’ll admit – I was a bit frightened. But when Santa sets up shop in your vet’s office…..you can’t help but worry that his Christmas gift to you is bound to be a round of shots. Luckily he had mercy on me this year. Thanks Santa.
Now I only have 12 more days until I get to see Santa again – when he slides down my chimney on Christmas Eve! Yippee!
Starting today I’m going to be celebrating the 12 Days of Cheer! What is the 12 Days of Cheer you ask? Why only the most awesome, spectacular, fantastic celebration of all things Holiday on the internet!
For 12 days (monday through friday) I’ll be bringing you awesome holiday DIY’s, cheerful Christmas photos, holiday freebies, dog friendly gifts and so much more. It’s going to be so much fun!
I hope you’ll join me in celebrating the 12 Days of Cheer, because it wouldn’t be as much fun without you!
As many of you may know, I have been taking agility classes since early Spring this year. I’m having so much fun learning how to navigate a course, and one of my very favorite things to do is work on the contact obstacles.
Contact obstacles refers to such objects as; the A-frame, teeter-totter, dog walk, and tunnels. They require the upmost concentration and braveness.
Watch as I expertly navigate the teeter totter at class yesterday:
You may notice that when my mom says “mark” as I approach the base of the obstacle I stop and wait until she gives me the ok to move forward. This is so that when I’m racing around at top speed on the course I don’t forget to take all 4 of my feet across the yellow portion of the obstacle – or else it won’t count.
Looks pretty fun doesn’t it!
One of my most popular tricks is the Play Dead trick. Guaranteed to make children giggle and adults oooh and ahhh – it’s a favorite that’s sure to win them over!
Most all of my tricks are taught and mastered with the help of clicker training, so before beginning you might want to read up on how to introduce your dog to a clicker*.
*Disclaimer: this post does contain some affiliate links
Teach Your Dog to Play Dead
Every great dog should know how to play dead – if only to be used as an ice breaker at parties, to scare the ground hogs in the backyard, and to generally just make you look totally awesome.
What you need: A handful of small training treats*, clicker
Step 1: To start your dog should already know how to lay down on command. Place a few treats in a fist and place your hand on the ground in front of your dog as you ask them to lay down.
Step 2: As your dog sniffs the treat tilt your fist up and over the top of your dog’s head, encouraging them to lay on their side. You may need to gently push your hand into your dog to entice them to lay on their side. Click and Reward your dog as soon as their side touches the ground.
Step 3: Continue asking your dog to lay on their side with treats in the fist of your hand until you can ask them to lay on their side with just an open palm (treats removed) – then click and reward.
Step 4: Once your dog is laying on their side consistently you can begin to add a verbal and visual command to it. Point your finger at your dog and say Bang, Bang – if your dog doesn’t immediately flop on their side you can then use the open palm of your hand to remind them what to do, click and reward. Slowly begin waiting longer and longer to show them what to do with the flat of your hand until they offer laying on their side on their own. Jackpot treat your dog when they get it right.
Step 5: When your dog is consistent in laying on their side when you ask you will need to add a release word. Part of the appeal of a play dead trick is that your dog will “remain dead” until you tell them to come back alive. So after asking your dog to play dead, wait a few seconds and say OK (before your dog gets up on their own) to release them and then click and reward. The key is to time this right before your dog gets up on their own. Gradually begin asking them to stay on their side longer and longer until you are certain they will not get up until you give them the verbal OK.
Congratulations! Your dog can now play dead! You can now bring laughter and smiles to everyone!
Disclaimer: The Let’s Get Tricky blog feature is designed to provide general information, instruction, and techniques that may not be suitable for everyone. Please note that we are not liable for any of your activities while attempting to teach your dog the techniques listed on this blog. Please train responsibly.
Learn how to teach your dog to high-five!
It’s becoming a yearly tradition now to take “Birthday Themed” photos of me during the week of my Birthday. And while I can hardly wait to show you how my photo shoot turned out this year, I figure if I have to wait a few more days to open my presents – then you should have to wait to see my photos!
Torturous I know, but it will all be worth it when you can see me in my spiffy party hat made by my pal Baxter’s mom.
The good news is – only 2 more days until I’m 4!
Have you heard of the new (gone viral) website called Dog Shamming? Essentially it’s a quirky little website dedicated to embarrassing and humiliating canines by putting our “shame” on blast for the World to see. Cruel right?
I must admit though, I did have a good chuckle at the expense of a few of these doxies….
I was having such a good time laughing my head off at these poor saps, that is until Mom reminded me that I have a few things I should be shameful of too. Who me? Yea right?
Dang. Who knew there was photo documentation of all my shameful deeds. Don’t judge me.
I was playing with my next door neighbor, Harley the Rottweiler, when I happened to mention that I’m a Super Hero. She laughed and said “That’s silly Ammo, you don’t even have a Super Hero outfit”.
So I quickly bounded inside to show her that yes, in fact I do have a Super Hero outfit, and it is so awesome she won’t believe her eyes!
Behold the awesome-ness that is Super Ammo, protecter of canines and hunter of groundhogs.
I can burrow down a groundhog hole as fast and lightning and my paws are like rocket-powered shovels.
I visit the elderly and make children giggle.
I also like unicorns and believe in magic fairy dust….
…and on occasion I roll in dead worms.
Harley is sooooo jealous!