Imagination Hat

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Ammo

Today is the day that mom and my pal Minnow the Painting Pony left for Chincoteague Island, Virginia for a week. I’m very sad not to be going on this adventure with them – as it’s been an entire year since I’ve been away from my mom for more than a day.

Ammo the Dachshund - Imagination Hat

Last year when Mom and Minnow left for pony penning week I killed the time by building a super awesome fort in my basement.

This year I decided to try a little something different – since just because I’m stuck home alone all day while Dad is at work doesn’t mean I can’t still go on some adventures of my own.

Ammo the Dachshund - Imagination Hat

Enter my imagination hat! Hand-made by my pal Baxter’s Mom, I just know my imagination hat is going to take me on tons of adventures this week. (you can fetch your own imagination hat here)

Ammo the Dachshund - Imagination Hat

I hope you’ll come along with me for the ride, because imagination adventures are always more fun when you have friends.

Ammo the Dachshund - Imagination Hat

Hopefully by the time Minnow returns from pony penning I’ll have just as many adventures to share with him as he does with me!

Ammo the Movie Star is Here!

Posted on July 18, 2012 by Ammo

Ok, so maybe I won’t really be seeing my name on a star in Hollywood (a dog can dream) – but in the World of Magical Painting Ponies, I am a movie star! (and technically I have been on National Television before via Animal Planet – check it out here)

Last week my Uncle Taylor came to visit from his home in North Carolina. Taylor is an uber talented videographer and editor – shooting weddings, commercials, documentaries, training videos, and much much more. And guess what…..he brought his video equipment with him!

The name of the game was filming some brand new videos for Painting Pony.

And although my pony friends did make a shining appearance on these new videos – we all know who the real star is…

…me!

I had some big important roles, and don’t worry, I totally gave it 110%.

I even got to do some serious action shots – with multiple takes!

I also got to perform on the video with my bestest buddy Trooper.

It was aaaaamazing!

And, incase you are wondering – yes I did my own stunts!

I can hardly wait to see the finished product, and as soon as it’s done I’ll be sure to let everyone know! And if you are counting down the days to see yours truly on DVD, you can check out The Trick Ponies of Chincoteague DVD which has my happy little face on it too.

And if you’re looking for some video work make sure you check out Envision Event Media and Depthink Productions!

Practicing Contacts on the A-Frame at Agility Class

Posted on July 12, 2012 by Ammo

Last week I had my regularly scheduled dog agility classes at DTCCC, only this time was special because my dad was home from work so he got to come watch me!

Ammo the Dachshund at Agility class

Of course I was super excited to show dad all the things I’ve been learning in class – and I went so fast that he could barely capture it on camera!

Ammo the Dachshund at Agility class

One of the things I have been learning at class is my agility contacts. Contacts in dog agility refer to a specific contact zone at the base of an object (like the A-frame, teeter, dog walk) that you must place a paw in during competition in order for it to count. Most of these contact zones are marked by a yellow strip at the base of an obstacle.

Being that I’m a small dog it is much easier for me to not miss a contact (because I’m not big enough to soar over it), but it is still best to learn how to do each object properly by entering and exiting it at the very base.

Below is a short video from class that dad took of me working on my contacts with the a-frame. You’ll see that I have a verbal cue (“mark”) that mom gives me as I approach the base of the a-frame, this cues me to pause at the bottom of the board until I get the ok to move forward. As I progress in my training my “mark” won’t be as obvious as I race around the course.

Looks pretty fun right?

Here’s some pervious posts from my adventures in agility training incase you missed it:

Extra Curriular Activities

Tuesday Night Agility

Beginner Dog Agility Classes

DIY: Build your own Agility Jumps

Agility with Cows

P.S. Don’t forget to vote for me in the 2012 Petties! I’m nominated for best blog design, and winning will earn $1,000 to one of my favorite pet charities!

Super Heroes Unite – Chincoteague Pony Minnow gets ready for Pony Penning

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Ammo

My stay-cation last week may have you thinking that all I did was go paddleboarding and flying, but this super dog never gets to relax completely – and I had to mix in a little bit of work too (if you can call it that).

My bestest pony friend Minnow the Painting Pony and I got our photoshoot on and took some promotional photos for this year’s Chincoteague Pony Penning held at the end of July.

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

Each year my friend Minnow (aka Super Minnow) travels to Chincoteague Island, Virginia to perform for a week during the annual Chincoteague Pony Swim and Auction.

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

Not only does he paint original art during his stay on the island, but he also gets to show off some of his amazing tricks by performing a skit during the nightly shows at the Chincoteague Pony Centre.

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

Mom and I work very hard for months in advance to help Minnow learn a new performance each year before pony penning – and I think this year’s performance is one of the best yet!

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

This year Minnow is going to Super Hero Bootcamp – and as you can see by his rolly polly belly that he certainly was in need of a bootcamp!

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

The only way to see Minnow’s new performance is to visit him on the island at the end of July, but since I knew not everyone would make it I talked mom into having a new DVD made of the performance that will be available for purchase hopefully next month. (meanwhile you can check out Minnow’s other DVD featuring yours truly HERE).

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

I’m a bit jealous that I won’t be able to watch Minnow’s performance live either, as dogs aren’t allowed many places on the island and I have to stay home with Dad, so I’ll just have to wish him luck from afar.

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

It’s a shame really, because what’s a Super Hero without his sidekick?

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

I’m sure Minnow knows I’m his biggest fan though, and I’ll be cheering him on from home! Go Minnow!

To see more photos of Minnow during our Super Hero Photoshoot make sure you check out the Painting Pony Blog.

Therapy Dog Harness

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Ammo

One of the rules when taking your Therapy Dog Test through TDI is that dogs must be tested on a plain buckle collar or harness. Training collars, training harnesses, halties, or any other corrective training devices are not permitted during testing or visiting as a TDI-registered Therapy Dog. And on their website they make note that Therapy Dogs don’t wear vests, so as not to be confused with service dogs, and also for the fact that they cut down on the area where people can pet you.

ammo the dachshund therapy dog harness from arja's art

Even though I ended up taking my test in a plain buckle collar, mom knew that were I to become an official Therapy Dog I would need to wear a different harness when I was making visits.

ammo the dachshund therapy dog harness from arja's art

Mom ended up ordering me a custom made harness from Arja’s Art all the way in Finland!

ammo the dachshund therapy dog harness from arja's art

These harnesses come in a variety of colors that all include reflective piping with each one being handmade to your own dog’s measurements. Designed to fit any breed, they are especially great for dachshunds as they put less stress on our sensitive necks and chest.

I chose the grey color in super soft sheep napa and mom helped me get my measurements sent over to Arja.

ammo the dachshund therapy dog harness from arja's art

When my new harness arrived from Finland a couple weeks later Arja had even included a sweet little gift for me in the package. While I personally don’t have a use for a coin purse (being that I’m a dog and also I am not a girl) it was a super sweet gesture – and mom was happy to keep it for herself.

ammo the dachshund therapy dog harness from arja's art

I suggested storing cookies inside the coin purse, but mom didn’t seem too thrilled by that.

ammo the dachshund therapy dog harness from arja's art

After a week of wearing my harness out and about I’m loving it. It’s great to for the hot summer weather too as it gives me a little more breathability. I still love my custom made harnesses from Kalyxcornucopia (that I wear with my Super Hero capes), but they just won’t work as well for my therapy dog work.

If you are interested in ordering a harness from Arja, you can check out the website and Facebook page – and they are available to ship to the US.

Good Boy Treats

Posted on June 19, 2012 by Ammo

I was such a good boy at my Canine Good Citizen and Therapy Dog Test on Sunday that Mom made me an extra special treat when I got home.

Ammo the Dachshund DIY sweet potato treats

You might remember the Polka Dog Bakery DIY Sweet Potato Dog Cookie Recipe I posted about a few weeks ago – well Mom decided to make me some as a reward for all my hard work!

Ammo the Dachshund DIY sweet potato treats

First Mom sliced up some sweet potatoes for me.

Ammo the Dachshund DIY sweet potato treats

Then we let them soak in a bowl of chicken broth for about 1/2 hour.

Ammo the Dachshund DIY sweet potato treats

While they soaked I sat on my bed in the kitchen just counting the minutes until they would be ready. It was a whole lot of minutes.

Ammo the Dachshund DIY sweet potato treats

Then after baking them for 15 minutes at 400 Degrees I had to wait a whole bunch more minutes for them to cool.

Ammo the Dachshund DIY sweet potato treats

Finally my good dog treats were ready for their taste test!

Ammo the Dachshund DIY sweet potato treats

Of course wouldn’t you know that mom made me practice my leave it command before I was allowed to eat them!

Ammo the Dachshund DIY sweet potato treats

In the end it was worth the wait, because they were yum! Perhaps I should be a good boy all the time.

You can find the entire recipe for DIY Healthy Sweet Potato Dog Cookies HERE.

Blogging in the Great Outdoors

Posted on June 12, 2012 by Ammo

On the weekends when I’m at home I like to spend a lot of my time outdoors, especially in the summer.

In the past it had always been a real drag when I had to come inside to do my facebooking and blogging though.

But with the addition of my new outdoor sofa, I now have everything I need to get some work done in the great outdoors.

I can survey my yard AND update my Facebook page at the same time! How glorious!

I can’t help but smile to myself when writing about all the adventures I had over the past week.

I even chuckle at all the things I have done in the past, like when Trooper and I had an Epic Jedi Battle, or when I dug a Super Weenie Hideout Cave, or even when I trained Trooper to be a Super Dog. Oh what wonderful adventures I have had!

Don’t worry though, I foresee many many more adventures in my future – coming right at you from the comfort of my sofa in the great outdoors!

Graduation Day

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Ammo

Ammo the dachshund memorial day weekend

You might think that during my 3-day weekend for memorial day that most of my time would be spend lounging around and relaxing. But if you are a regular reader of my blog, then you know that this is simply not going to fly around my house – and you better believe that I packed as many adventures in as I could! By the end of the weekend I was so tired I even slept through dinner!

Ammo the dachshund university of delaware graduation

I kicked off the weekend by celebrating my Aunt Laurel’s graduation from the University of Delaware.

Ammo the dachshund university of delaware graduation

Even though I physically didn’t get to attend Laurel’s graduation as a certified Athletic Trainer I was there in spirit as mom texted me photos from the event so I could watch from home.

Ammo the dachshund university of delaware graduation party

But I did get to wear my blue and gold proudly for the graduation party held at the farm the next day.

Ammo the dachshund university of delaware graduation party