Ammo the Dachshund

Pet Blog – Adventures in the Life of a Super Dog

Throwback Thursday: Athletic Ammo

Posted on February 21, 2013 by Ammo

Since I’ve been laying a little low lately (while mom’s recovering from knee surgery), I decided it would be fun to share some of my adorably cute photos from my puppy years. I didn’t have a blog back then, so these photos haven’t seen the light of day in quite some time. But have no fear, it’s Throwback Thursday time, and I’ve dug through my archives and found some super sweet puppy pictures to brighten your day!

Throwback Thursday: Ammo the Dachshund's Puppy Years

Throwback Thursday: Ammo the Dachshund's Puppy Years

Throwback Thursday: Ammo the Dachshund's Puppy Years

Throwback Thursday: Ammo the Dachshund's Puppy Years

As you can see, even at a couple months old I was quite the athletic guy! It’s no wonder my muscles are huge now. And check out my spots! I bet you didn’t know that I’m actually a red dapple, and at certain times of the year (when the sun hits me just right) my spots are much more visible.

I hope you enjoyed my #throwbackthursday – perhaps I’ll have to make this a regular feature on the blog!

Let’s Get Tricky! Teach your Dog to Army Crawl

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Ammo

Being a super hero I need to have certain tricks up my sleeves and on my tool belt. Tricks that can get me out of sticky situations, help me combat evil, and well, make me quicker and more agile when shimmying down groundhog holes! It’s because of this that I have learned to army crawl!

Let's Get Tricky! Teach your Dog to Army Crawl with Ammo the Dachshund

Teach Your Dog to Army Crawl

Learn to be stealth, agile and quick on your feet! Most importantly, fit down those groundhog holes with ease.

What you need: A handful of training treats, clicker

Let's Get Tricky! Teach your Dog to Army Crawl with Ammo the Dachshund

Step 1: Place a high value treat (something your dog really loves) in the palm of your hand, making sure that he knows it is there.

Let's Get Tricky! Teach your Dog to Army Crawl with Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: Ask your dog to lay down by placing your hand on the ground in front of him.

Let's Get Tricky! Teach your Dog to Army Crawl with Ammo the Dachshund

Step 3: Slowly inch your hand away from your dog, encouraging him to shimmy across the ground after the treat. As soon as he moves closer to your hand (without lifting his front legs out of the lay down position) click and reward. If your dog pops up out of his lay down, ask him to lay again, and repeat the process until he does it properly.

Let's Get Tricky! Teach your Dog to Army Crawl with Ammo the Dachshund

Step 4: Continue asking your dog to inch along the ground until he understands what is wanted, you can then begin adding a verbal cue, such as the word “crawl”, and asking him to shimmy across the ground several times before getting his reward.

Let's Get Tricky! Teach your Dog to Army Crawl with Ammo the Dachshund

Congratulations, your dog can now army crawl. Now meet me at the groundhog holes, we’ve got some shimmying to do!

Disclaimer: The Let’s Get Tricky blog feature is designed to provide general information, instruction, and techniques that may not be suitable for everyone. Please note that we are not liable for any of your activities while attempting to teach your dog the techniques listed on this blog. Please train responsibly.

Spring Doxiefest

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Ammo

We still have the winter to get through first, but I’m anxiously awaiting the arrival of Spring. Especially this year, because it marks the 3rd Annual Spring Doxiefest in Bel Air, Maryland!

ammo the dachshund with painting pony

This year I will be attending this event on Sunday, April 21, 2013 from 11am – 3pm to be hosted by the Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue.

Flying Hero Etsy Shop via Ammo the Dachshund

I have been invited to paint and perform during the Doxiefest and I’ll also be bringing along some of my cards and dachshund merchandise.

Ammo the Dachshund performance at the Keystone Dachshund Races

I’ve already begun working on a new performance, which I hope to have ready for this event.

ammo the dachshund and painting pony at point to point races

So mark your calendars, prepare your dachshunds, and be ready for a day of doxie fun this Spring! I hope to see you there!

More details on this event can be found HERE.

2013 New Year Goals

Posted on December 31, 2012 by Ammo

In keeping up with my yearly tradition I’ve decided to take a look back over the goals I made for myself last year to see how I did! I’ve also come up with a new list of goals for 2013 that will hopefully keep me on my toes!

My 2012 Goals:

1. Learn a new trick with my favorite pony, Minnow.

Ok, so I can’t recall a SPECIFIC trick I learned with Minnow this past year, but I did star in our brand-new Painting Pony DVD with him. And I had a super fun super hero shoot with Minnow this summer.

2. Compete in my first agility trial or take an agility class with a new club.

While I’m not quite ready for my first agility trial just yet, I have been taking agility classes since the spring. I’m hoping I might be ready for a trial sometime next year.

3. Make more home movies, featuring me!

I’m happy to report that I’ve created lots of new video footage this year (over 50 videos on my youtube channel!), and I even landed on two national television spots at the end of this year (which I’ll be sharing all the details on the blog soon). And if you want to catch my biggest performance of the year you can check out my new DVD HERE!

4. Get more creative with my costumes.

I’m happy to say I’ve dressed up more this year than any other year! You might recall my pilot’s outfit when I went flying, my super cool Halloween costume as Wile E. Coyote, and even my dapper Holiday outfit for this year.

5. Master some new tricks and share them on the blog.

I started a new feature on the blog this year called Let’s Get Tricky! I also added a few new tricks to my repertoire and I’m hoping to continue the trend in 2013.

6. Take pictures every month for my 2013 Calendar!

So I may not have specifically set out to take photos for my calendar every month, I did rack up quite a lot of space on Mom’s hard-drive with my thousands of photos from this year.

7. Make more DIY projects.

I definitely got my DIY on this year! I came up with over 10 great DIY projects this year, including my Birthday Bandana, a Dipped Yellow Chair, and even a Pet First Aid Kit.

8. Paint more.

Painting may have taken a bit of a backseat this year, but that didn’t stop me from getting created. I opened up my very own Etsy Shop, Flying Hero, to sell my greeting cards, calendars and more – many of which have helped raise money for animal rescues!

9. Dig more holes in the backyard.

You know I got this one covered!

10. Smile everyday!

How can you not smile when you’re having this much fun!

So moving on to the upcoming year, I can’t wait to start 2013 off with a bang!

2013 Goals:

Create some more greeting card designs for my Flying Hero Etsy Shop
Master the weave poles for my agility classes
Compete in an agility trial
Learn a performance that I can perform on my own at events
Make every day count!

So what about you? What are your goals for 2013?

Don’t forget to start 2013 off right, check out my Calendar available for purchase HERE! Hurry, because I only have a few copies left!

Super Pony DVD Release!

Posted on December 12, 2012 by Ammo

The day has finally come! It’s time to announce the official release of the brand-new Super Pony DVD, staring the talented Minnow from Painting Pony…..and ME!

Ammo the Dachshund Super Hero and his Super Hero Pony

Thanks to my talented Uncle Taylor and Depthink Productions, we began filming for the DVD this past summer, and I’m so excited that it’s finally ready to share with everyone!

Super Pony DVD Release! via Ammo the Dachshund and Painting Pony

Check out the DVD Trailer:

ON THIS DVD

Trainer, Kyley DiLuigi, introduces us to Super Pony, the alter ego of the talented Chincoteague Pony, Minnow! Watch as he shows us some of his favorite trick performances, many of which have been performed at expos, fairs, schools, and even the Annual Chincoteague Pony Penning. Several performances also include Minnow’s lovable sidekick, Ammo the Dachshund, as well as other members of the Painting Pony crew. In addition to 5 featured videos, this DVD also contains 2 bonus videos: a visit to Iron Horse Farm, home to the Painting Ponies; and a talk given by Kyley about everyone’s favorite Chincoteague Pony, Misty of Chincoteague.

PAINTING PONY

In 2007, Painting Pony was founded when Kyley DiLuigi decided to bring her paints from art school out to the farm where she kept her 14-year-old pony, Minnow. That cold winter day Minnow became the World’s First Painting Chincoteague Pony as he created his very first masterpiece. As it became evident that Minnow had a gift that he truly loved, the paintings he created began to pile higher and higher. Feeling the need to share Minnow’s art with the world, Kyley started PaintingPony.com and the rest is history!

Super Pony DVD Release! via Ammo the Dachshund and Painting Pony

The Super Pony DVD is approx. 20 minutes and is available for purchase at $12 on PaintingPony.com

You’ll get to see performances by me and Minnow as well as me and my buddy Trooper. You even get to see me paint!

There is still plenty of time to order your copy for Holiday Gifts!
As a special gift to all my followers, enter code FREESHIP at checkout to receive free shipping on your entire order! (domestic orders only).

Snag your copy HERE.

Let’s Get Tricky! Teach your Dog to Play Dead

Posted on October 17, 2012 by Ammo

One of my most popular tricks is the Play Dead trick. Guaranteed to make children giggle and adults oooh and ahhh – it’s a favorite that’s sure to win them over!

Most all of my tricks are taught and mastered with the help of clicker training, so before beginning you might want to read up on how to introduce your dog to a clicker*.

*Disclaimer: this post does contain some affiliate links

Ammo the Dachshund // Lets Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

Every great dog should know how to play dead – if only to be used as an ice breaker at parties, to scare the ground hogs in the backyard, and to generally just make you look totally awesome.

What you need: A handful of small training treats*, clicker

Step 1: To start your dog should already know how to lay down on command. Place a few treats in a fist and place your hand on the ground in front of your dog as you ask them to lay down.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lets Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

Step 2: As your dog sniffs the treat tilt your fist up and over the top of your dog’s head, encouraging them to lay on their side. You may need to gently push your hand into your dog to entice them to lay on their side. Click and Reward your dog as soon as their side touches the ground.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lets Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

Step 3: Continue asking your dog to lay on their side with treats in the fist of your hand until you can ask them to lay on their side with just an open palm (treats removed) – then click and reward.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lets Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

Step 4: Once your dog is laying on their side consistently you can begin to add a verbal and visual command to it. Point your finger at your dog and say Bang, Bang – if your dog doesn’t immediately flop on their side you can then use the open palm of your hand to remind them what to do, click and reward. Slowly begin waiting longer and longer to show them what to do with the flat of your hand until they offer laying on their side on their own. Jackpot treat your dog when they get it right.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lets Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

Step 5: When your dog is consistent in laying on their side when you ask you will need to add a release word. Part of the appeal of a play dead trick is that your dog will “remain dead” until you tell them to come back alive. So after asking your dog to play dead, wait a few seconds and say OK (before your dog gets up on their own) to release them and then click and reward. The key is to time this right before your dog gets up on their own. Gradually begin asking them to stay on their side longer and longer until you are certain they will not get up until you give them the verbal OK.

Ammo the Dachshund // Lets Get Tricky // Teach Your Dog to Play Dead

Congratulations! Your dog can now play dead! You can now bring laughter and smiles to everyone!

Disclaimer: The Let’s Get Tricky blog feature is designed to provide general information, instruction, and techniques that may not be suitable for everyone. Please note that we are not liable for any of your activities while attempting to teach your dog the techniques listed on this blog. Please train responsibly.

Learn how to teach your dog to high-five!

Birthday Week: Get to Know Me

Posted on October 4, 2012 by Ammo

I thought it would be fun to dive a little deeper into the true me during Birthday Week, just like I did last year when I answered some of your burning questions. So with a little help from my mom we came up with 10 new questions for me to answer that will help you get to know me a little bit better.

Ammo the Dachshund // Birthday Week // Ammo turns Four

Q What is your all-time favorite thing to do on the weekends?
A This is a tough choice between spending time on the farm, and napping in my sunroom at home. I enjoy being at the farm to hunt for groundhogs and lay in the sun, but being at home has it perks too as my sunroom has an all around view of my yard, and my comfy worn in spot on the sofa.

Ammo the Dachshund // Sunroom napping

Q What is your favorite toy?
A Right now my favorite toy is a Strawberry made by Planet Dog. I love it because it tastes a bit minty, is fun to chew on (but this far indestructible) and mom has been filling it with peanut butter which makes it extra special!

Q Do you have any bad habits?
A Well not any that I care to admit! But if you must know, my mom says I bark a little too much at the critters in my backyard. Personally I do not consider this a bad habit when I’m just doing my job by protecting my fortress from intruders. And I guess if we are being truthful here, I also like to hump pillows – particularly the ones on mom and dad’s bed! I know, I am ashamed.

ammo the dachshund super hero

Q What is the next trick you plan to tackle?
A Well I had started learning how to barrel race like this speedy little dachshund, so perhaps mom will help me finish mastering this one. Although mom says she also wants me to learn to put away my toys at home – which doesn’t sound as thrilling to me.

Q Who is your favorite artist?
A Well besides my talented painting pony friends, I have fallen in love with the paintings made by the talented Kim from Yellow Brick Home after she painted my portrait (and the ponies) earlier this year.

Pet Paintings by Kim @ Yellow Brick Home - via Ammo the Dachshund

Q Where are all your super fun photos taken?
A I experiment with a lot of different places for my styled photoshoots (like work, my backyard, the spare bedroom in my house), but recently I’ve been setting up my backdrops in the sunroom at home. It seems to provide the perfect amount of light which makes me look extra adorable!

Ammo the Dachshund // Birthday Week // Get to Know Me

Q In the past 4 years, what has been your favorite adventure?
A It’s so tough to choose just one adventure, but I really have enjoyed when mom and dad took me to the corn maze (which reminds me, I’m due for a trip soon). I get to use all of my hunting and scenting skills to get us through the maze in the fastest time possible – and I have to say my maze skills have been quite impeccable!

Q What is your favorite blog to read?
A Oh gosh, how do I choose just one? You can check out my sidebar to see a bunch of the pet-related blogs that I love to read, but I guess if I had to choose just one to read I’d have to say I’m drawn to my newest blog find, Love and a Six-Foot Leash. It’s the pretty pretty pictures I tell you!

ammo the dachshund blogging outdoors

Q Do you enjoy being a shop dog?
A I very much love being able to go to work with mom every single day, and meeting lots of new people is one of the highlights of my day. However sometimes I just feel a little cooped up, and I get a little antsy having to spend my day inside all the time. But in the long run it definitely beats being stuck home alone all day, and I wouldn’t give up being a shop dog for anything!

Ammo the Dachshund at work

Q What is your favorite food?
A All of the above. But I guess if I had to choose just one, string cheese would be at the top of my list.

I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know me a little bit better, and if you have anymore questions for me please be sure to leave them in the comment section below!

P.S. I have to make sure I say Happy 4th Wedding Anniversary to my mom and dad today! Kisses from your number one boy, Ammo.

*some links contain affiliate links

Let’s Get Tricky! Teach your Dog to High-Five

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Ammo

I decided it was high time I started a new feature on the blog, and what better thing to write about than trick training! I thought by sharing with you how I have learned some of my amazing tricks over the years (and attempting to master new ones too) it would inspire me to keep up with my training as well. Most all of my tricks are taught and mastered with the help of clicker training, so before beginning you might want to read up on how to introduce your dog to a clicker. (contains affiliate link)

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

Teach your Dog to High-Five

A small twist on the standard one paw high-five, my method is doubly awesome with a two-pawed high-five. (mostly because us dachshunds have stubby little legs and it’s way easier to high-five with two paws).

What you need: A handful of small training treats, clicker (affiliate links)

Step one: Place a treat in the palm of your hand and close it into a fist. Let you dog sniff your hand with the treat in it so he will know that it’s there.

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

Step two: Put your closed fist with the treat in it directly in front of your dog but slightly above their head and high enough that they cannot reach it with all 4 paws on the ground.

Step three: Your dog will likely begin to sniff at the treat, but pay close attention to their paws, and as soon as they lift both paws or one off the ground be ready to click and reward once they touch a paw to your hand (do not give them the treat in your hand, but a different one). Continue clicking and rewarding for a paw(s) touching your fist until it is consistent.

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

Step four: Once your dog is consistently touching a paw(s) to your fist, then remove the treat inside your hand and begin placing an open palm directly in front of your dog above their head. Click and reward for your dog touching a paw(s) to your hand.

Step five: When your dog is consistently touching a paw(s) to your open hand you may add a verbal cue to it, such as High-Five. Say “High-Five” then place your open palm in front of your dog to touch – then click and reward.

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

If your dog has mastered this trick with one paw (sometimes easier for larger dogs) but you would like them to high-five with two, give your verbal cue, put your open palm out and do not reward the dog for touching it with one paw, simply wait until they offer another behavior (placing two paws) then click and reward. If your dog needs a little help you can place one paw on your palm then pick up and place their second paw on your hand. Immediately reward with a jackpot of treats (one treat after another in a rapid succession). The more excited and animated you are when your dog gets it right, the faster they will learn!

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

Disclaimer: The Let’s Get Tricky blog feature is designed to provide general information, instruction, and techniques that may not be suitable for everyone. Please note that we are not liable for any of your activities while attempting to teach your dog the techniques listed on this blog. Please train responsibly.

The Mutt Room

Posted on September 17, 2012 by Ammo

On Saturday I took a trip to the Devon Horse Show Grounds for the Fall Classic Jumper Show.

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

The Devon Show Grounds are known to be an uber friendly dog place, meaning dogs are allowed in the shops (many of which carry items for pets), we can sit in the stands with our humans, and we even have our very own water fountains.

Now I’m no stranger to Devon, however during this particular trip I did something a little unexpected and different.

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

I took a trip to The Mutt Room! The Mutt Room is a mini portrait studio run by Brenda Carpenter (the official photographer for Devon events), and is designed so that your 4 legged friend can get a personal portrait session. Now seeing that I can never pass up the opportunity to get my picture taken, I just had to see what it was like to be in a professional studio.

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

Inside the studio it was filled with super fun dog portraits and there were treats and toys everywhere! This was totally my kind of adventure.

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

Ammo the Dachshund // Devon Fall Classic // The Mutt Room

Brenda said I was a natural behind the camera as I showed her all of my amazing poses. I can hardly contain my excitement to see the results of my photoshoot – I’m sure my photos will make all the ladies swoon!

And now that I’m officially a pro behind the camera, I may just have to get an agent and start booking magazine shoots. I have no doubt you’ll see me on the cover of Vogue and Sports Illustrated someday soon!

P.S. Brenda does personal portraits of your pets! Check out her website to see how to book!

Sponsor Welcome: Dog Agility Shop

Posted on September 5, 2012 by Ammo

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.