Ammo the Dachshund

Pet Blog – Adventures in the Life of a Super Dog

Wilderness Trail Treats Review

Posted on October 24, 2012 by Ammo

Last week my friends over at Mr. Chewy were kind enough to send me over a package of Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats in Chicken Jerky to try. Now honestly, who would pass up the opportunity to eat treats….no one I tell you, no one.

Ammo the Dachshund // Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats Review // Mr. Chewy

I must admit, I’m already a fan of the Blue Buffalo brand, in fact I currently eat their small breed dry dog food, but I have never tried their Wilderness Trail Treats.

Ammo the Dachshund // Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats Review // Mr. Chewy

I was certainly intrigued by the “wilderness” part of it, and I pictured myself lurking in the wild in search of my dinner just like the lone wolf on the package. But just to be clear I do not want to be dropped off in the woods to fend for myself – I like my dog bed and heat lamp, and prefer my food to come pre-packaged, just fyi!

Ammo the Dachshund // Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats Review // Mr. Chewy

So after the obligatory “pose with package” photos mom made me take, I was more than ready to test them out.

Ammo the Dachshund // Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats Review // Mr. Chewy

Mmmmm, tastes like chicken!

Ammo the Dachshund // Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats Review // Mr. Chewy

Ammo the Dachshund // Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats Review // Mr. Chewy

Blue Buffalo’s Wilderness Trail Treats are grain free and made with no by-products or artificial anything, which means it’s practically like eating chicken….right off the chicken!

Ammo the Dachshund // Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats Review // Mr. Chewy

As I gnawed on my pieces of chicken jerky I couldn’t help by channel my inner wolf – although in my case I was gnawing on imaginary ground-hog (those sneaky critters).

Ammo the Dachshund // Blue Buffalo Wilderness Trail Treats Review // Mr. Chewy

If you want to channel your inner wolf too you can fetch your own bag of Wilderness Trail Treats from Mr. Chewy!

Disclosure: I received a bag of Wilderness Trail Treats to review from Mr. Chewy, but all opinions are entirely my own.

The Building of a Farmhouse

Posted on October 18, 2012 by Ammo

Ammo the Dachshund // The Building of a Farmhouse

Yesterday I spent the evening exploring around the construction site of Trooper’s new farmhouse.

Ammo the Dachshund // The Building of a Farmhouse

The walls have started to go up and Trooper couldn’t be more excited.

Ammo the Dachshund // The Building of a Farmhouse

Well, that is until we realized that the house had been built on top of Trooper’s favorite bone-burying spot! Gulp!

Ammo the Dachshund // The Building of a Farmhouse

We searched high and low hoping that the construction crew had built a secret trap door so that we could retrieve Trooper’s buried bones.

Ammo the Dachshund // The Building of a Farmhouse

Trooper was mostly concerned that his new house would be haunted – on account of all the bones.

Ammo the Dachshund // The Building of a Farmhouse

Alas, there was no secret trap door – but I told Trooper that the good news was that the construction crew had built him lots and lots of doggie doors!

Ammo the Dachshund // The Building of a Farmhouse

Let’s Get Tricky! Teach your Dog to Play Dead

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Ammo

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

Ammo the Dachshund // Lets Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

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.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lets Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

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.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lets Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

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.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lets Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

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.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lets Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

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.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lets Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

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!

Bubble King

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Ammo

I bet you had no idea that I’m a King. Oh yes, there is royalty around these parts.

Because I am the KING OF BUBBLE WRAP!

Ammo the Dachshund // Bubble Wrap King

Quality control, popping expert, ruler of the bubble mountain – I do it all!

Ammo the Dachshund // Bubble Wrap King

Something about those satisfying little pops that just MAKE – MY – DAY!

Ammo the Dachshund // Bubble Wrap King

I’m currently waiting by the front door of the shop for more packages to arrive – because this King wants to build a FORTRESS of bubble! It will be glorious, and you’re all invited!

Birthday Week: Get to Know Me

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Ammo

I thought it would be fun to dive a little deeper into the true me during Birthday Week, just like I did last year when I answered some of your burning questions. So with a little help from my mom we came up with 10 new questions for me to answer that will help you get to know me a little bit better.

Ammo the Dachshund // Birthday Week // Ammo turns Four

Q What is your all-time favorite thing to do on the weekends?
A This is a tough choice between spending time on the farm, and napping in my sunroom at home. I enjoy being at the farm to hunt for groundhogs and lay in the sun, but being at home has it perks too as my sunroom has an all around view of my yard, and my comfy worn in spot on the sofa.

Ammo the Dachshund // Sunroom napping

Q What is your favorite toy?
A Right now my favorite toy is a Strawberry made by Planet Dog. I love it because it tastes a bit minty, is fun to chew on (but this far indestructible) and mom has been filling it with peanut butter which makes it extra special!

Q Do you have any bad habits?
A Well not any that I care to admit! But if you must know, my mom says I bark a little too much at the critters in my backyard. Personally I do not consider this a bad habit when I’m just doing my job by protecting my fortress from intruders. And I guess if we are being truthful here, I also like to hump pillows – particularly the ones on mom and dad’s bed! I know, I am ashamed.

ammo the dachshund super hero

Q What is the next trick you plan to tackle?
A Well I had started learning how to barrel race like this speedy little dachshund, so perhaps mom will help me finish mastering this one. Although mom says she also wants me to learn to put away my toys at home – which doesn’t sound as thrilling to me.

Q Who is your favorite artist?
A Well besides my talented painting pony friends, I have fallen in love with the paintings made by the talented Kim from Yellow Brick Home after she painted my portrait (and the ponies) earlier this year.

Pet Paintings by Kim @ Yellow Brick Home - via Ammo the Dachshund

Q Where are all your super fun photos taken?
A I experiment with a lot of different places for my styled photoshoots (like work, my backyard, the spare bedroom in my house), but recently I’ve been setting up my backdrops in the sunroom at home. It seems to provide the perfect amount of light which makes me look extra adorable!

Ammo the Dachshund // Birthday Week // Get to Know Me

Q In the past 4 years, what has been your favorite adventure?
A It’s so tough to choose just one adventure, but I really have enjoyed when mom and dad took me to the corn maze (which reminds me, I’m due for a trip soon). I get to use all of my hunting and scenting skills to get us through the maze in the fastest time possible – and I have to say my maze skills have been quite impeccable!

Q What is your favorite blog to read?
A Oh gosh, how do I choose just one? You can check out my sidebar to see a bunch of the pet-related blogs that I love to read, but I guess if I had to choose just one to read I’d have to say I’m drawn to my newest blog find, Love and a Six-Foot Leash. It’s the pretty pretty pictures I tell you!

ammo the dachshund blogging outdoors

Q Do you enjoy being a shop dog?
A I very much love being able to go to work with mom every single day, and meeting lots of new people is one of the highlights of my day. However sometimes I just feel a little cooped up, and I get a little antsy having to spend my day inside all the time. But in the long run it definitely beats being stuck home alone all day, and I wouldn’t give up being a shop dog for anything!

Ammo the Dachshund at work

Q What is your favorite food?
A All of the above. But I guess if I had to choose just one, string cheese would be at the top of my list.

I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know me a little bit better, and if you have anymore questions for me please be sure to leave them in the comment section below!

P.S. I have to make sure I say Happy 4th Wedding Anniversary to my mom and dad today! Kisses from your number one boy, Ammo.

*some links contain affiliate links

Birthday Week: Free Dachshund B-day Desktop Wallpaper

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Ammo

It may be MY BIRTHDAY WEEK, but that doesn’t mean you guys can’t get gifts too! Free to download is my Desktop (or iPhone/ipad) Wallpaper. It’s my gift to you for taking time to visit my blog each day, leave me sweet comments, and friending me on facebook. Cheers to you!

Ammo the Dachshund // Birthday Week // Free Download // Desktop Wallpaper

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Birthday Week: B-day Photoshoot – Sneak Peek

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Ammo

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!

Birthday Week // Ammo the Dachshund // B-day Photos Sneak Peek

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.

Birthday Week // Ammo the Dachshund // B-day Photos Sneak Peek

Birthday Week // Ammo the Dachshund // B-day Photos Sneak Peek

The good news is – only 2 more days until I’m 4!

Friends Forever

Posted on September 27, 2012 by Ammo

When your legs just aren’t long enough you’re allowed to use the coffee table to play tug of war with your best friend. It’s in the official rules.

Lately I’ve been reminiscing about all the years I’ve spent playing with my best friend Trooper – mostly because next week is my Birthday, my 4th Birthday!

Ammo the Dachshund // Friends Forever

Since we met (when I was all of 8 weeks old), not much has changed. And yes, I won our wrestling matches back then too.

Ammo the Dachshund // Friends Forever

But despite the fact that I can easily out wrestle my poor buddy, we share a very special bond.

ammo's birthday

Even if he did steal my party hat and try eat me last year on my Birthday!

Stay tuned, because next week is BIRTHDAY WEEK! Eeeek! I’m so excited, we’re going to have so much fun!

Let’s Get Tricky! Teach your Dog to High-Five

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Ammo

I decided it was high time I started a new feature on the blog, and what better thing to write about than trick training! I thought by sharing with you how I have learned some of my amazing tricks over the years (and attempting to master new ones too) it would inspire me to keep up with my training as well. 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. (contains affiliate link)

Ammo the Dachshund // Let's Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to High-Five

Teach your Dog to High-Five

A small twist on the standard one paw high-five, my method is doubly awesome with a two-pawed high-five. (mostly because us dachshunds have stubby little legs and it’s way easier to high-five with two paws).

What you need: A handful of small training treats, clicker (affiliate links)

Step one: Place a treat in the palm of your hand and close it into a fist. Let you dog sniff your hand with the treat in it so he will know that it’s there.

Ammo the Dachshund // Let's Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to High-Five

Step two: Put your closed fist with the treat in it directly in front of your dog but slightly above their head and high enough that they cannot reach it with all 4 paws on the ground.

Step three: Your dog will likely begin to sniff at the treat, but pay close attention to their paws, and as soon as they lift both paws or one off the ground be ready to click and reward once they touch a paw to your hand (do not give them the treat in your hand, but a different one). Continue clicking and rewarding for a paw(s) touching your fist until it is consistent.

Ammo the Dachshund // Let's Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to High-Five

Step four: Once your dog is consistently touching a paw(s) to your fist, then remove the treat inside your hand and begin placing an open palm directly in front of your dog above their head. Click and reward for your dog touching a paw(s) to your hand.

Step five: When your dog is consistently touching a paw(s) to your open hand you may add a verbal cue to it, such as High-Five. Say “High-Five” then place your open palm in front of your dog to touch – then click and reward.

Ammo the Dachshund // Let's Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to High-Five

If your dog has mastered this trick with one paw (sometimes easier for larger dogs) but you would like them to high-five with two, give your verbal cue, put your open palm out and do not reward the dog for touching it with one paw, simply wait until they offer another behavior (placing two paws) then click and reward. If your dog needs a little help you can place one paw on your palm then pick up and place their second paw on your hand. Immediately reward with a jackpot of treats (one treat after another in a rapid succession). The more excited and animated you are when your dog gets it right, the faster they will learn!

Ammo the Dachshund // Let's Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to High-Five

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.

Apple of my Eye

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Ammo

Every year when Autumn rolls around I take the obligatory trip to Highland Orchards, home of the cider donut, pumpkin picking, fresh apples, canned preserves and goats!

Ammo the Dachshund // Highland Orchards

Ammo the Dachshund // Highland Orchards

Ammo the Dachshund // Highland Orchards

Ammo the Dachshund // Highland Orchards

Ammo the Dachshund // Highland Orchards

Like most of the children there I humored my parents with having my photo taken in the fall cutouts.

Ammo the Dachshund // Highland Orchards

Ammo the Dachshund // Highland Orchards

But we all know there is really only one reason to take a trip to Highland Orchards (besides a bite of cider doughnut)…

Ammo the Dachshund // Highland Orchards

…the goats!! Now last year the goats gave me the stink eye, so I was careful to be a bit weary the second time around.

Ammo the Dachshund // Highland Orchards

I have to admit those fellows are starting to grow on me, even with their sharp pointy horns.

Ammo the Dachshund // Highland Orchards

Although I was still somewhat relieved that there was a fence between me and them, after all I was sorely outnumbered.

Ammo the Dachshund // Highland Orchards

I plan to visit the Highland Orchard goats again, if only to get on their good side, because Mom says we may be getting goats on the farm in the near future. Yikes!