5 Tips for Taking Better Pictures of Your Dog

Posted on August 20, 2015 by Ammo

It’s no secret that I love having my photo taken. It’s been years and years of practice to get these super model moves down pat!

Ammo the Dachshund Studio Photos

And while I’m pretty much a pro infront of the lens, I do have a mom who’s got a few tricks up her sleeve when it comes to capturing adorable shots of yours truly. So I thought it would be fun to pick her brain, and share some tips on how you can capture some great pictures like these of your own pets!

Photographer's Muse // Ammo the Dachshund

5 Tips for Taking Better Pictures of Your Dog:

1. Have Amazing Treats

Ammo the Dachshund - Pony Cookie - Howl Naturale

Until you find that amazing treat (or meat) that makes your dog do back flips, you’re not going to get them to be interested in your photo session. Good treats go a long way, and if your dog is willing to do anything to get them, then you might just get that shot you were looking for.

2. Get Down Low

Winter on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

Dogs aren’t that big (well unless maybe you have a great dane), so getting yourself on the floor and down to the dog’s level is going to give you a better picture every time.

3. Practice “Waiting”

Evel Knievel // Ammo the Dachshund's Halloween Costume

Teaching your dog commands such as “wait” (my term for stay put and don’t move) is only going to help you get that amazing picture. Using positive reinforcement and some yummy treats practice asking your dog to hold still for pictures.

4. Let Your Dog Be a Dog

Barkbox Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

As fun as some of the posed shots are, it’s even more fun for your dog just to play and be themselves. Some of the best shots come from letting your dog do their own thing and being there to capture the moment (or the mess).

5. Prop Up Your Pet

Purple Possum Dachshund Scarf Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Have a squirmy dog that won’t sit still? Prop them up on something high (and safe) so they don’t have room to roam. This will keep you from chasing your dog all over trying to snag a photo.

A Day at the Beach // Ammo the Dachshund

And there you have it, 5 tips to grabbing shots of your pet like a pro! Above all else, make picture time fun for your dog and I’m sure you’ll get that photograph! There’s many more where that came from, if you liked my mom’s tips for photographing pets let me know in the comments below and perhaps I’ll share some more soon!

P.S. if you’re wondering what camera gear my mom uses to photograph me, be sure to check out my gear page!

Friday Fetch: Camp Cloon Canine Equipment

Posted on August 14, 2015 by Ammo

Camp Cloon Canine Equipment totally won me over recently with their awesomely fun and stylish gear for adventurous dogs! Um that’s me! This New Zealand based company ships their products worldwide so all adventurers can enjoy their goods. And after checking out their shop, I totally want to be BFF’s with their super model dog, Clooney the Cavoodle!

Friday Fetch: Camp Cloon Adventure Dog Gear from Ammo the Dachshund

You can fetch these fun goodies and more from Camp Cloon.

Disclaimer: this is not a sponsored post, nor do I own any of these products. Just simply wanted to share the latest thing I’m digging!

P.S. Thanks to one of my favorite blogs, Dog Milk for the awesome find!

Wellness TruFood Review & Giveaway

Posted on August 4, 2015 by Ammo

Disclaimer: This post and giveaway is brought to you by Wellness. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you will love!

Wellness Trufood Review & Giveaway

As you may know I’ve been thinking a lot about what I eat lately. Ok, honestly, I think about what I’m going to be eating ALL THE TIME. Last week I wrote post about how my mom chooses pet food for me to eat in my rotational diet, and I’ve even discussed the portion size I’m eating each day to keep my figure trim. Well today I wanted to share the line of dog food I recently started eating from one of my favorite companies, Wellness.

Wellness Trufood Review & Giveaway

I’ve been eating dry dog food from Wellness since I was just a puppy (and ate their puppy formula), and so has my best friend Trooper. Recently they came out with a brand new line, Wellness TruFood. TruFood uses fresh whole foods from farm, land and sea in their new treats, wet and dry dog and cat food.

Wellness Trufood Review & Giveaway

The TruFood dry dog food is packed with real ingredients and free of grain, wheat, potatoes and artificial preservatives, colors and flavors. They also slow-bake raw, whole-prey meats with grain-free fiber like peas, chickpeas and lentils which gives TruFood up to 70% more protein than similar foods.

Wellness Trufood Review & Giveaway

You can actually see some of the added veggies in Trufood, and because it’s meats are slow-baked, they caramelize, which makes it oh-so-tasty for us pups. I can attest, because mom says I started eating my meals much much faster once we switched over to TruFood.

Wellness Trufood Review & Giveaway

Before I dive into eating anything new, my mom and I always put on our analyzation glasses (we’re both farsighted) to make sure we’re choosing things that not only do I think taste good, but are healthy for me too!

Here’s what’s inside the TruFood Dry Small Breed Formula (click image to enlarge). For more details on what I look for on the labels of my pet food, be sure to check out my recent post on Choosing the Best Dog Food.

Wellness Trufood Review & Giveaway

Trufood also comes in several baked treat formulas, like Protein Bites, and these CocoChia Bakes Cookies that I couldn’t wait to tear into.

Wellness Trufood Review & Giveaway

Wellness TruFood CocoChia treats combine whole-prey protein with antioxidant-rich superfoods, probiotics, coconut oil and chia seeds to deliver a nutritious grain-free treat.

Wellness Trufood Review & Giveaway

Hey mom, since these are so healthy for me it’s fine if I eat the whole box in one sitting right?

Ammo on the Farm

Thanks to Wellness for keeping me healthy, fit, and happy for all these years. I very much look forward to adding TruFood to my diet!

You can fetch the Wellness Trufood brand for cats and dogs from Amazon* as well as your local pet food stores. *affiliate link

And now for the best part….

Wellness Trufood Review & Giveaway

ONE WINNER WILL WIN A TRUFOOD GIFT BASKET! (available for cats or dogs)

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 and CANADA 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).

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read our full Terms & Conditions for this giveaway.

Never want to miss any of the adventures (or giveaways) on my blog? Make sure you sign-up for e-mail updates!

Jones Natural Dog Chews Review & Giveaway

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Ammo

Disclaimer: This post and giveaway is brought to you by Jones Natural Chews Co. All opinions are my own, and I only share products I think you will love!

Jones Natural Dog Chews Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

My tail is wagging, because recently I made some new friends! That’s right, the folks at Jones Natural Chews Co. are my new buddies, because they mailed me MEAT!

Jones Natural Dog Chews Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Not just any meat, a whole frisbee full of meat (their Spring Fling goodie Frisbee to be exact).

And when you get a Frisbee full of 100% USA made meat products, there is really only one thing to do….

Jones Natural Dog Chews Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

….throw on your best party hat and have a Par-Tay!

Jones Natural Dog Chews Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Well, a party of one….but still a party! (I didn’t really want to share with anyone else anyway).

Jones Natural Dog Chews Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Jones Natural Chews only uses raw product sourced from the USA and does not use any artificial ingredients to keep their products natural. If that weren’t enough to get you drooling, they also slowly oven bake their meats to keep the bones at proper moisture levels and to produce bones that are consistent with raw bone density.

Jones Natural Dog Chews Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

Jones Natural Chews also tests all of their bones for splintering. They conduct pressure tests and moisture tests to ensure the best bone strength. But it’s always best to supervise your pet when feeding them. My mom never allows me to have chews or treats when she isn’t there to watch me closely. Safety first!

Jones Natural Dog Chews Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

You can visit the Jones Natural Chews website to find a retailer near you, or shop online for these yummy chews and more! Also be sure to check out the JNC Blog for even more fun!

And now for the best part…

Jones Natural Dog Chews Review & Giveaway // Ammo the Dachshund

ONE WINNER WILL WIN A SPRING FLING FRISBEE FROM JNC!

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)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read our full Terms & Conditions for this giveaway.

Photographer’s Muse

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Ammo

Photographer's Muse // Ammo the Dachshund

For Christmas my mom got some new photography gear – mainly some fun studio lights that we can mess around with.

Photographer's Muse // Ammo the Dachshund

Of course I volunteered my services immediately as super model while she practices getting better at using the lighting. I’m so helpful like that.

Photographer's Muse // Ammo the Dachshund

Only eventually I noticed that I wasn’t the only subject she was photographing (the horror!) as items for mom’s business began to take center stage.

Photographer's Muse // Ammo the Dachshund

Don’t worry though, because I know just how to get the attention back to me!

Photographer's Muse // Ammo the Dachshund

It’s called sad puppy eyes…and you could totally learn a thing or two from me in that department.

Photographer's Muse // Ammo the Dachshund

And when all else fails, flop on the floor and throw a temper tantrum. WORKS LIKE A CHARM.

P.S. want to shop for these fun photo mats and more, check out my mom’s online shop! And sorry, adorable photos of me aren’t included.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Ammo

Happy Valentine's Day // Ammo the Dachshund

I just wanted to pop in today to wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day! Thanks for following along with all of my daily adventures, leaving me lovely comments, and just generally being awesome! It’s enough to make a dog blush!

Happy Valentine's Day // Ammo the Dachshund

So I’m sending virtual puppy dog kisses and happy tail wags your way! I hope you have a fantastic day filled with love…..and maybe a few cookies too!

P.S. if you’re still looking for a sweet little treat for the love of your life (aka your dog) make sure you swing by Barkbox. Today is the last day to snag a subscription for a crazy 14% OFF with code AMMO5 – plus you’ll get an awesome set of FREE BARKTATS! Don’t delay! #sponsored

12 Days of Cheer! Come Celebrate with Ammo!

Posted on December 10, 2014 by Ammo

12 Days of Cheer! // Ammo the Dachshund

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy, it’s one of my favorite times of the year! Starting today it’s my 12 Days of Cheer Celebration! What is the 12 Days of Cheer you ask? Why only the most awesome, spectacular, fantastic celebration of all things Holiday on the internet!

12 Days of Cheer! // Ammo the Dachshund

So grab ahold of your best Santa hat (which it may be helpful if you can at least see with it on) and join me for 12 days (monday through friday) as I celebrate all things Christmas! I’ve got fantastic giveaways, holiday gift guides, Christmas adventures, DIY’s and so much more!

12 Days of Cheer! // Ammo the Dachshund

And be sure to check back often, as I’ll be posting sometimes twice a day! I can’t wait to celebrate the 12 Days of Cheer with you!

November 2013 Monthly Recap

Posted on December 3, 2013 by Ammo

Before we get to the recap of all the exciting adventures I’ve been on in November, I wanted to give a shoutout to my special sponsors! Thanks to them I’m able to bring you exciting posts, so make sure you give them some love and check out what great products they carry!

The Dog Agility Shop is the best shop for all of your dog agility equipment needs. Even if you aren’t a big time competitor, having some DIY’d dog agility equipment in your backyard is a great way to have some fun with your dog and get some exercise too. The Dog Agility Shop supplies all the parts and accessories you need to make your own equipment at a very affordable price! And with FREE US GROUND SHIPPING their prices can’t be beat! Make sure you shop the Dog Agility Shop the next time you are in need of equipment! Makes for a great holiday gift for your favorite dog or dog lover!

Dog Agility Shop // Sponsor

Hot Dog Digital Pet Art is the perfect place to find a holiday gift for your favorite dog lover. Stocked with cute dog prints, handmade stocking stuffers, cards and more, you’re certain to find something fun for the holiday season. You can even have a favorite photo of your pet turned into custom pop art!

Hot Dog Pet Art // Sponsor

If you would like to find out more about my advertising rates, click HERE. And thanks again to all of my wonderful sponsors, I couldn’t do it without you!

And now a look at everything I’ve been up to this past November…

Ammo the Dachshund Studio Photos

I shared my new studio space that mom helped me set up at my house.

Movember // Ammo the Dachshund

I celebrated the month of Movember.

What does the fox say // Ammo the Dachshund // music video

I made my own music video to “What does the Fox Say“.

Trendy Coats to Keep your Dachshund Warm // Noodle & Friends // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared some of the new trendy coats from Noodle and Friends.

That Time I was in Redbook Magazine // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared my most recent press in Redbook Magazine.

Frolicking on the Farm // Ammo the Dachshund

I frolicked on the farm on a rare warm fall day.

Ammo's Annual Vet Visit // Ammo the Dachshund

I got a clean bill of health at my annual vet visit.

Throwback Thursday: Napping Buddies // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared a silly Throwback Thursday with me and my favorite napping buddy, Trooper.

Tips for Keeping your Pet Trim // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared my 5 tips for keeping your pet fit and healthy.

My Bags are Packed // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared my plans to visit South Carolina for Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving // Ammo the Dachshund

I celebrated Thanksgiving with my Family!

What kind of adventures did you go on this November?

In the Studio with Ammo

Posted on November 6, 2013 by Ammo

Ammo the Dachshund Studio Photos

You might have noticed that some of my photos have been looking a little bit different lately.

Ammo the Dachshund Studio Photos

Dare I even say a bit more “professional”?

Ammo the Dachshund Studio Photos

No, I haven’t hired a professional photographer, mom has just been getting a little camera happy after she purchased me some studio backdrops…..fancy right?

Ammo the Dachshund Studio Photos

It’s the perfect excuse to have a little photoshoot! And while we’re still just using natural light to snap my photos, mom hopes maybe someday we’ll add some real studio lighting to the mix for an even more professional look!

Ammo the Dachshund Studio Photos