Lake Dogs

Posted on August 7, 2014 by Ammo

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

By now you probably know that hanging out at the lake is one of my favorite things to do in the summer. I love it so much that whenever I can I like to bring my dog friends to the lake with me too. You might remember a few summers back when I introduced my gal pal Shilah to the lake when she was just 1 year old.

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

Well it seems my gal pals keep getting younger and younger (*wink*), and this time I brought along my new friend Maya the rescue pup to the lake.

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

It was a bit more of an overcast type of day, and I was a bit worried we might get rained on, but you know what…..when you go to the lake you gotta expect to get wet!

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

This time I decided to rent a double kayak with my mom and dad. Since the water was a little cooler I didn’t feel like getting as wet so a kayak seemed to be the way to go.

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

Maya started out on the kayak too so that she could get her sea legs.

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

And it didn’t take long for her to take the obligatory accidental lake plunge. Don’t worry Maya, we’ve all been there!

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

But Maya didn’t let a little dip in the lake discourage her, she hopped right back on and even tried her paw on the paddleboard too.

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

She even got brave enough to take a purposeful plunge later on in the day (which my camera crew totally missed!)

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

And incase you’re wondering, life guard Ammo was on duty the whole time and I kept a watchful eye on my young puppy friend.

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

Needless to say I was very glad she figured out the whole swimming thing on her own, because I was much too comfortable to perform any daring rescues!

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m pretty sure it’s safe to say that this won’t be Maya’s last time on the lake.

Lake Dogs // Summer // Ammo the Dachshund

After all, how could you not come back with a view like this!

When Dogs Go Stand Up Paddleboarding

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Ammo

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m no stranger to the lake, and one of my favorite warm-weather activities is to go Stand Up Paddleboarding (aka SUP) with my mom and dad. So over the weekend we hit up our favorite lake and boat rental – Marsh Creek Lake.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

I enjoy the paddleboard more than any of the other rentals (kayak, motorized rowboat, sailboat) because the paddleboard puts me the closest to the water – and I do in fact enjoy swimming when the water is just the right temperature.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Most of the time I end up taking a dive into the water when mom and dad drift too far apart. I think I channel my inner herding dog (thanks to my pal Trooper) and I worry a bit when my “pack” gets too far apart. So I’ll dive into the water and swim to dad to make sure he’s still ok.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

When we finally get further out on the lake it’s enjoyable just to lay around on the paddleboards and soak in the sun. After all summer is almost here – and I gotta work on my tan!

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

As much as attention as I tend to draw on the lake – you would think that it’s pretty rare to see dogs out on the water.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your dog // Ammo the Dachshund

But in actuality I tend to see quite a few dogs when I head out, like this pup Kahula, who’s owner has an awesome go-pro setup on their board and posts amazing instagram photos of their paddleboarding adventures.

So if you’re looking for a fun summertime activity to enjoy with your dog I highly recommend paddleboarding. You can check with your local boat rental to see if they allow dogs on their rentals (as I’ve found most do) and even if the paddle board isn’t for you there are lots of other rentable water vessels! Just make sure your pup wear’s it’s life vest! Mine is from my friends at Kurgo.

Stand up Paddleboarding with your Dog

Posted on July 9, 2012 by Ammo

Last week I took a short stay-cation in my hometown of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. While I didn’t actually travel anywhere exotic or new I did get to have a whole bunch of brand-new adventures. I hope you’ll come along for the ride with me this week, as I have lots to share!

One of the first things I did on my vacation was to go stand up paddleboarding (also called SUP or stand up paddle surfing) at the Marsh Creek Boat Rental.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

Visiting the lake isn’t new to me, as I’ve been known to zip around on a motorized row boat with my mom and dad, but SUP was something I have never done before.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

I was so excited when I saw the paddleboard come out that I couldn’t wait to hit the water, especially on this super hot day.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

I did end up swimming A LOT while I was on the water, sometimes by accident because I was standing too close to the edge while some turbulent water knocked me in, and sometimes because I wanted to take a trip over to visit dad in his canoe.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

Luckily I do know how to swim, and my new life vest kept me even more afloat – and made it easy for mom and dad to scoop me back onto the board.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

I’m pretty sure I was the talk of the lake that day and I enjoyed waving at all the other people out enjoying the cool water.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

This may have been my first time paddleboarding, but it certainly won’t be my last! Especially if this heat wave in Pennsylvania keeps up!

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

Tips for Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog

Before visiting a lake rental spot make sure that they allow dogs on their rental boats and boards
Make sure your dog has a properly fitted life vest – keep a leash attached to it so you can quickly grab your dog should they go overboard accidentally
If you have never been on a paddleboard yourself, practice paddling on the lake without your dog first, it will be much harder to maneuver the board with a dog on it too
Allow your dog to get used to the board near the shore first with you standing in the water
Be prepared to get wet – very wet (but that is the point isn’t it?)
Don’t bring a dog paddleboarding that doesn’t know how to swim, it is pretty likely that at some point they will go overboard especially if it is windy out
If your dog has a strong herding instinct it is best to have only one “member of the pack” out on the lake at a time, otherwise your dog will be upset when his “pack” isn’t close together, causing him to jump overboard or panic
Have as much fun as possible!

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

And the icing on my cupcake…..according to Shape Magazine I burned 500 – 700 calories every hour I was out paddleboarding (although mom says she’s pretty sure they mean it’s her that’s burning those calories), but regardless it’s also apparently the new “celebrity trend” – with paddleboarders like Jennifer Aniston and Kate Hudson testing them out too.

Stand Up Paddleboarding with your Dog - via Ammo the Dachshund

So considering I’m probably just as famous as those big celebs (right?) then it must be the super cool new thing to do! Not to mention I look awfully sexy doing it! *wink*

So what do you think? Is your next big adventure going to be paddleboarding with your dog? Or do you just enjoy living vicariously through me? Or better yet – have any suggestions of new adventures I should try?

Make sure you stop by the blog tomorrow to hear all about my adventures on my very first airplane ride!