Tag Archives: practice

Practicing in Public

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Practicing in Public - Ammo the Dachshund visits Lowes

It’s that time of year when it seems I find myself visiting the hardware store almost every weekend. Mom and Dad are always coming up with projects that need to be done around the house in the Spring. Mom says it’s the perfect place for me to tag along and practice all my “behaving in public” skills, as I inevitably get a little rusty over the winter.

Practicing in Public - Ammo the Dachshund visits Lowes

I beg to differ on the “rusty” part, I mean just look how good my sit/stay is!

Practicing in Public - Ammo the Dachshund visits Lowes

I’ve also got the healing next to the shopping cart down too!

Practicing in Public - Ammo the Dachshund visits Lowes

And my self control (even when I smell critters in the garden center) is pretty good too (well most of the time!).

But the very hardest part for me……trying to keep up with Dad in the hardware store! #ShortLegProblems

Does your dog go on public outings with you? Ammo the Dachshund // Blog Signature // Celebrity

Dog Agility on the Farm

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It’s been a while since I shared much about my ongoing agility training. The fact is, I actually haven’t been to any training classes since last year, mostly I blame it on my mom because her schedule got too hectic to take me.

Ammo the Dachshund // Agility // Teeter Totter

But even though I may not be taking regular classes, that doesn’t mean that I’m not doing a little training on the side, because….

Real Dogs Have Muscles! via Ammo the Dachshund

Agility is a great way to keep me muscled and fit, plus it’s fun too! Early this Spring my mom decided to move all my agility equipment out to the farm so that we’d have more room to practice. And you know what, I completely forgot to share with you this fun little video of me running the agility course in the horse arena giant sandbox.

Obviously I was a bit rusty, but not too bad! I’ll just have to keep up with even more practicing.

Agility Tunnel with Ammo the Dachshund

If you’d like to find out more about how much fun agility is for you and your dog, you can check out some of my old posts.

What do you do with your dog for exercise?Ammo the Dachshund // Blog Signature // Celebrity

Throwback Thursday: Training Day

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

To become as skilled as I have in performing and learning tricks there is also a lot of behind the scenes training that goes on. Since I was just 8 weeks old mom has been helping me learn cues and tricks. Consistency is key, and also having a pocket full of treats!

Check out my Throwback Thursday video of one of my short training sessions at the farm in 2010:

Does your dog love to learn as much as I do? Ammo the Dachshund

Dog Agility Training – the off days

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As you may already know I have been taking agility training classes for a long time now. I have yet to ever compete, and someday I might, but mostly I just enjoy the exercise and mental stimulation.

Ammo the Dachshund // Dog Agility

However, despite my love of running the courses, sometimes I have off days too. For example last week I was a little off my game. Having just been to the vet for a nail trim (sort of stressful for me) and having to wait extra long in my crate for my turn on the course (stressful as well when you aren’t a huge fan of the crate), I had pretty much worn myself out from worrying by the time it was my turn to run the course.

I tried my best, but I was just a bit distracted (hence why I missed a few obstacles and did some very poorly executed weave poles) and much much slower on the course than normal. But hey, we’re all allowed to have off days – perhaps next week at class I’ll have a little more pep in my step! Ammo the Dachshund

 

Playing Golf with Dad

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Playing Golf with Dad // Ammo the Dachshund

My Dad loves to go golfing, he says it’s one of his most favorite things to do. So you can imagine my disappointment that dad hasn’t invited me along on any of his golf outings yet. But all that is about to change, because I’ve been practicing….

See, I’m off to find the holes!Ammo the Dachshund

I went on a Barn Hunt

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Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

On Mother’s Day I got to go on a very special adventure with my mom (dad came too). We packed up the car and headed south to New Jersey for a Barn Hunt Practice!

Barn Hunts were created to honor the traditional role of “ratcatchers” in ridding barns and properties of vermin. Barn Hunts are open to any dog, of (almost) any size, type or breed. In a Barn Hunt competition you can earn titles and placements at various levels and degrees of difficulty.

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

At this Barn Hunt I met up with my Philadelphian gal pal Liebe, and we were both pretty excited to hunt for some rats! (Especially Liebe who is a city dog – and doesn’t get as many chances as me to hunt for vermin)

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

At a Barn Hunt you are required to go through straw bale tunnels and climb over several bales to earn a qualifying mark – all while in pursuit of a rat.

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

In the lower levels you are then met with various tubes, some of which contain rat bedding and one that contains an actual rat. Your goal as rat hunter extraordinare is to locate the rat and alert your mom or dad that you have found the correct tube containing it. Once found your mom/dad is responsible for telling the judge you have found the rat – in which case the time will stop (as long as you have completed the necessary requirements of completing tunnels and climbing straw bales too).

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

As the day progressed I got better and better at finding my rats. I even began digging at the tubes and making lots of noise once I found the tubes that contained a rat.

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

Mom said in the higher level classes I would even have to find multiple rats in one run – making sure to find them fast enough to not run over the time limit, many of which that are hidden under straw and in crevices. Sounds like a blast!

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

Liebe (who is just over a year old) even had fun locating the rats and as she gets older I’m sure she’s going to be one ferocious rat hunter just like me!

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

I had so much fun looking for my rats, that sitting on the sidelines while the other dogs had a turn was so hard!

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

I can’t wait to return again and actually compete in this fun new sport – it’s totally my kind of competition!

You can learn more about the rules of Barn Hunt and find competitions and practices local to you HERE. Ammo the Dachshund

DIY: Build Your own 2×2 Agility Weave Poles

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You might remember that back in November I posted a tutorial on how to build your own agility weave poles with the help of my friends at the Dog Agility Shop.

Well when winter rolled around I had to pack up my poles since it was just too cold to practice outdoors. That was until my dad surprised me for Christmas with a set of homemade 2×2 Weave Poles.

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

I’ve been using my set all winter, and I’m proud to say I can now weave, but I completely forgot to share how they were made with all of you! So better late than never – here’s my tutorial for building your own set of indoor 2×2 Weave Poles!

DIY Dog Agility 2×2 Weave Poles – Set of 6 poles

Supplies Needed:

Step 1: Cut your 3/4 inch PVC pipe into 6 pieces that are 38 inches in length. Then place the PVC caps on one end of all your poles. Then you can stripe your poles with colored duct tape to make them more visible.

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: Cut your Steelworks Plated Slotted Flats into three 36″ length pieces and six 9″ length pieces.

Step 3: Drill a hole the same size as your carriage bolts into the bottom of the PVC Plugs.

Step 4: Place the 9″ Slotted Flat pieces on opposite sides and 6 inches from either end of your 36″ length slotted flat pieces. Place your carriage bolts through from underneath to hold them together, with the PVC plugs on top. Add your washers and hex nuts to the inside of the PVC plugs and tighten to hold them together.

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 5: Slip the PVC couplings onto the bottom of your poles and then slide them into the PVC plugs that are attached to the Slotted Flat pieces.

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 6: Lay out the Weave Pole Placer as a guide as to where to place your poles (you can opt to leave it under the poles or remove it after they are placed). Your poles will work best on a carpeted surface.

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

For a quick tutorial on how to teach your dog the weave poles using the 2×2 method check out the video HERE. You may want to find a dog agility trainer or class in your area for more detailed instructions.

If you would like to make a set of outdoor weave poles, check out my tutorial HERE. Ammo the Dachshund

Adventures at Tractor Supply

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Adventures at Tractor Supply - Ammo the Dachshund

Tractor Supply Company, only the holy mecca for farm boys like me! And lucky me, I got to go on a Tractor Supply adventure over the weekend.

Adventures at Tractor Supply - Ammo the Dachshund

Adventures at Tractor Supply - Ammo the Dachshund

Adventures at Tractor Supply - Ammo the Dachshund

TSC has everything, from clothing, to dog food, hardware supplies and more – it’s hard to not find something that you need at a place like this.

Adventures at Tractor Supply - Ammo the Dachshund

Adventures at Tractor Supply - Ammo the Dachshund

Adventures at Tractor Supply - Ammo the Dachshund

I enjoyed moseying up and down the isle in search of something to add to my cart, mostly I was eyeballing the isles of dog toys and treats – but somehow we missed that one completely and I ended up only coming home with a bag of horse treats. I’m not sure how I got the short end of that stick.

Adventures at Tractor Supply - Ammo the Dachshund

My moseying was extra slow on this adventure, because just when I thought we were done with the crutches in my house (after mom’s knee surgery) my dad decided he wanted to give them a whirl too. So I’m back to playing nurse Ammo as dad spends a few weeks on crutches due to a high ankle sprain and some torn ligaments from playing soccer. I’m starting to think I’m missing out on something by not having my own pair to crutch around on!

Adventures at Tractor Supply - Ammo the Dachshund

Mom says it’s important for me to go on outings in new places as much as possible – it’s what makes me a good therapy dog. I only wish all stores were as dog friendly as TSC, because I’d certainly volunteer to practice my therapies in a butcher shop or maybe the Wine and CHEESE shop!

But until that day comes I’m happy to take my outings any place that keeps cookies behind the counter.

Adventures at Tractor Supply - Ammo the Dachshund

I’m here for my cookies please! Ammo the Dachshund

Tunnel Time!

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Mom had a Birthday last week, and like any spoiled well loved pooch, I got presents too!

Agility Tunnel with Ammo the Dachshund

Welcome to my new dog agility tunnel, won’t you come inside?

 

 

Super fun right? Ammo the Dachshund

If you’d like to find out more about my dog agility tunnel check it out Here

Dog Agility – Practicing the Chute

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Every week I attend a dog agility class with mom at the Dog Training Center of Chester County. After several months of classes now I’m really starting to get the hang of things.

Dog Agility - Practicing the Chute // Ammo the Dachshund

Waiting for my turn on the course is one of the hardest things about going to class, it’s just too much fun!

Dog Agility - Practicing the Chute // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m currently working really hard on learning the weave poles, it’s like this crazy mind puzzle that I’m trying to figure out. Any day now I’ll crack it!

Recently I logged some time practicing the chute. I’m a big fan of the chute as you can see….it’s almost like I’m underground burrowing for groundhogs. Total agility heaven for us doxies.

So any of my fans also dog agility stars? Any favorite obstacles? Ammo the Dachshund

 

 

Dog Agility Shop // DIY Agility Equipment Supplies // Ammo the Dachshund

 

This post was sponsored by the Dog Agility Shop. They specialize in hard to find agility items at the lowest prices on the internet. From jump cups and pole placers to full package starter sets, they are your one stop shop for all of your agility equipment needs.

Check them out HERE!