Tag Archives: training

Progress Report on Dog Agility

Posted on by

Ammo practices Dog Agility on his DIY Agility Jumps 2012As you probably know, I’ve been taking weekly agility training classes since last spring. I’ve come pretty far in my training, but I still have lots to learn until I’m ready to compete.

Last week I had a visitor at class…..which means I have video proof that I’m an agility dog! Yay!

This week I decided that the teeter totter was a bit scary – I mean do you really blame me, that thing catapults you into the sky! But mom helped me get through my fears, and hopefully I’ll be back to darting across it at super hero speed just like I had been doing for the past several months.

Anyone else taking dog agility classes? What’s your favorite obstacle? Mine is the A-frame! Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Weave Poles with the Dog Agility Shop

Posted on by

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m at the point in my Dog Agility training that I’m going to start learning how to do weave poles. Learning to do weave poles is one of the most challenging things in Dog Agility, so mom says it’s important that we have our own set at home to practice in between classes.

So when my friends over at the Dog Agility Shop offered up a set of Spikes and Pole Placers, I knew it was time to jump right in and DIY a set of weave poles!

Building your own set of weave poles is super easy and cost effective (about $25) with the help of the Dog Agility Shop. Here’s what you’ll need…..

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles

Supplies Needed:

  • A set of 6 or 12 Spikes from the Dog Agility Shop (I used 6 since I’m a beginner)
  • Weave Pole Placer from the Dog Agility Shop
  • 3/4 inch PVC Pipe (total of 228″)
  • Six 3/4 inch PVC caps
  • PVC cutting tool
  • Duct Tape

Directions:

Once your Spikes and Pole Placer arrive from the Dog Agility Shop you will need to 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 and attach the other end to the Spikes. Then you can stripe your poles with colored duct tape to make them more visible. Once your poles are done, lay out the pole placer, and place your poles into the ground through the grommet holes in the placer. Now you’re ready to learn weave poles!

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

Inexpensive, easy to set-up, easy to transport, and oh so much fun – these weave poles are looking great in my backyard!

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

Sadly there are no super cool photos of me weaving through these poles like a pro (yet), because I’ve only just begun my training.

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

Having these bad boys in my back yard will give me no excuse to not show up everyone in my class when it comes to the weave pole training.

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

My classmates are gonna be sooooo jealous! Ammo the Dachshund

For more agility tutorials check out my post on Building your own Dog Agility Jumps.

Disclosure: I received a set of spikes and pole placer from the dog agility shop for review. However, all opinions are entirely my own.

 

Fun on the Teeter Totter

Posted on by

As many of you may know, I have been taking agility classes since early Spring this year. I’m having so much fun learning how to navigate a course, and one of my very favorite things to do is work on the contact obstacles.

Ammo the Dachshund // Agility // Teeter Totter

Contact obstacles refers to such objects as; the A-frame, teeter-totter, dog walk, and tunnels. They require the upmost concentration and braveness.

Watch as I expertly navigate the teeter totter at class yesterday:

You may notice that when my mom says “mark” as I approach the base of the obstacle I stop and wait until she gives me the ok to move forward. This is so that when I’m racing around at top speed on the course I don’t forget to take all 4 of my feet across the yellow portion of the obstacle – or else it won’t count.

Looks pretty fun doesn’t it! Ammo the Dachshund

Friday Fetch: The Clicker Leash

Posted on by

I don’t talk a lot about the training methods my mom uses with me on the blog (but I should!), but since I was just a wee pup my mom has been using clicker training with me. Clicker training is a positive training method for animals using a clicker or small mechanical noisemaker, as a marker for behavior.

In fact, since my mom knew that us Dachshunds are one of the hardest dogs to house train (it’s true), she began clicker training me from the start to do my business outside. I’m proud to say I am completely house trained now (even if it did take me a little longer than the average pooch) thanks to the clicker. Now had we known about the Clicker Leash from the start, this totally would have been a must have item for me when I was learning the potty basics.

Ammo the Dachshund // Friday Fetch // Clicker Leash

The Clicker Leash puts effective, humane training methods at your fingertips by merging a clicker with an ergonomic, lightweight leash handle. The Clicker Leash makes reward-based training convenient and fun while eliminating juggling and fumbling. Whether you are training your puppy, working on basic life skills with an adult dog or competing in canine sports the Clicker Leash puts your clicker where you need it, when it counts. As long as you have your dog’s leash, your favourite training tool is on hand!

Ammo the Dachshund // Friday Fetch // Clicker Leash

You can fetch your own clicker leash HERE for $30. Ammo the Dachshund

Sponsor Welcome: Dog Agility Shop

Posted on by

I’m super excited to welcome my new blog sponsor, the Dog Agility Shop!

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

The Dog Agility Shop is the perfect place for those of you who want to build your own set of agility equipment at a very reasonable price. From jump cups and pole placers to full package starter sets, they are your one stop shop for all of your agility equipment needs.

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

Not only that, but they ship all over the World – with free shipping to anywhere in the United States!

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

You might remember that I purchased some of their jump cups to use on my own set of DIY Dog Agility Jumps. They’ve worked wonderfully and saved Mom so much money by being able to build the jumps herself.

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

ammo the dachshund diy dog agility jumps

I hope you’ll swing by the Dog Agility Shop and check out their full line of equipment! Make sure you tell them your pal Ammo sent you.Ammo the Dachshund

Practicing Contacts on the A-Frame at Agility Class

Posted on by

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

Ammo the DachshundP.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!

Extra Curricular Activities

Posted on by

Since I have a lot of “jobs” (shop greeter, artist, guard dog, farm dog, sidekick, super hero….) sometimes it’s nice to enjoy a few extra curricular activities at the end of the day. One of my favorites right now is agility class.

I still have a lot of training to do before I’m ready to compete, but right now I’m just having a lot of fun! Just see for yourself….

P.S. I like Tunnels about as much as this boy likes Turtles. 🙂

Friday Fetch: Interactive Dog Toys from Trixie

Posted on by

I like to think I’m a pretty smart guy, so when I came across a line of Interactive Dog Toys from Trixie (sold online only at Petsmart) it had me wondering if they could really stump me.

Designed to test your dog’s intelligence and keep them thinking, these line of Interactive Dog Toys look like so much fun! With levers, nobs and hidden flaps the goal is to find the hidden treats by completing tasks that get your dog thinking. Each toy is rated by difficulty from Level 1 (the easiest) through Level 3. This is one product that is definitely on my wish list!

You can fetch these neat Interactive Dog Toys from Trixie online at Petsmart, they range in price from $15.99 – $35.99.

 

Interactive Dog Toys by Trixie sold at Petsmart

Interactive Dog Toys by Trixie sold at Petsmart

Interactive Dog Toys by Trixie sold at Petsmart

Interactive Dog Toys by Trixie sold at Petsmart

Interactive Dog Toys by Trixie sold at Petsmart

Interactive Dog Toys by Trixie sold at Petsmart

Any of my pals tested out the Trixie line of Dog Toys? Were you stumped? Do tell!

A Case of the Mondays

Posted on by

My Mondays are a bit different than most people’s because I have the day off from work! But just because I don’t have to go into the “office” doesn’t mean I don’t have lots to do.

ammo the dachshund shopping

On this particular Monday after feeding my ponies on the farm I did some shopping with mom.

ammo the dachshund shopping

On my Lowes stop I picked up some things for my garden. Mom let me pick out some plants to grow in my magic horse poop garden – and I can’t wait until they get big enough to eat! Yum.

ammo the dachshund does agility

Then it was off to my agility class with my friends!

ammo the dachshund does agility

I love everything about agility training; running fast, jumping, going through obstacles…

ammo the dachshund does agility

….and don’t get me started on the treats! Mom comes armed with a bag full of string cheese – makes me wish I could go to class everyday!

ammo the dachshund does agility

But as much as I love agility training there is one thing I HATE about going to class.

ammo the dachshund does agility

My crate! I’ve never liked being in a crate, what can I say….this boy needs freedom to roam. So unlucky for me, mom has decided it’s about time I get used to being in one since there might be cases I have to sit in it and wait patiently.

Patiently, huff! I’m totally not above barking and crying until they unlock me from this fortress of doom. Who’s with me? Crate haters unite! 

 

 

Beginner Dog Agility Classes

Posted on by

If you follow me on Facebook, then you probably already know that I’ve been taking a beginner dog agility class. With 5 classes under my belt now my Dad came to watch me at class last night – which also means I now have video proof that I’m a kick-butt agility star. Plus I know you have all been dying to see me hop around the course in my cute yellow jacket. *wink*