Voyagers K9 Product Review & Giveaway

Disclaimer: This review and giveaway is brought to you by Voyagers K9.

Voyagers K9 Apparel is a company that I am already pretty familiar with – having owned two of their custom made coats for several years now. So when I got the chance to test out one of their raincoats, I did a little happy dance (in the rain of course).

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

The unique thing about these coats are that they can be custom made to fit your dog, and not just pure breeds – ANY BREED OF DOG. So I sent in my measurements and pretty soon there was a package waiting at my doorstep with this spiffy new red raincoat that fits me oh-so-perfectly. I mean just look how tailored it fits, which is no easy feat for an oddly shaped dachshund body.

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

Unlike their winter and cold weather coats, this raincoat is light weight with a mesh lining – meaning even though it’s summer I don’t have to worry about getting overheated in it.

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

I love the attached hood as it is the perfect for keeping my little ears dry, but I also have the option to unvelcro the front and fold it over too.

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

The coats from Voyagers K9 Apparel also come with holes to attach a leash to a collar and optional ones to attach to a harness as well.

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

And my final test of my spiffy new raincoat was to see how it faired in the rain – which as luck would have it a storm was rolling in on the farm!

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

I started off slow – testing my new coat inside under the drops of rain that were bouncing into the barn.

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

Each drop beaded up on my coat and kept me perfectly dry underneath, but the true test would be romping in the puddles outside! Check it out for yourself in my instagram videos below:

My new raincoat even kept me dry enough that I wanted to take a potty break outside in the rain – now that’s saying something!

The fact that I didn’t even need a bath afterwards is proof that this is one of the best raincoats out there! And if it’s anything like my winter jackets from Voyagers K9 (which have lasted me for over 3 years now), then you know it will hold up to the rigors of farm life!

So now onto the super awesome news for you!

Voyagers K9 Apparel for Dogs // Product Review // Ammo the Dachshund

ONE Lucky WINNER will WIN a $50 GIFT CERTIFICATE to VOYAGERS K9!
– so you too can get your own custom coat!

Here’s HOW TO WIN:

For this giveaway I will be using, Rafflecopter. We only use the information you provide to contact the winners and we never share it – so not to worry. You’ll also get bonus entries for liking Voyagers K9 on Facebook. You are welcome to leave a comment on this post as well, but comments will not be counted as entries. Winners will be chosen at random and 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 on 7/27/12 12AM EST. Open to US Residents & International Residents! Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I received a raincoat from Voyagers K9 Apparel to review. All opinions are entirely my own. Ammo the Dachshund

Day at the Pool

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

One of the great things about the summer is getting to spend the day at my mom mom & pop pop’s pool.

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

I wouldn’t say that I love to swim or anything, but floating around on a raft in the water is a pretty good time.

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

I’ve become sort of an expert at patrolling the waters, making sure no one drowns and that everyone plays by the rules. I run a tight ship at my pool!

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

Now if only I could get someone to bring me out a tray of hot dogs – I think I might never leave!

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

Day at the Pool // Ammo the Dachshund

Happy Summer everyone! Ammo the Dachshund

Happy 4th!

4th of July // Independence Day // Ammo the Dachshund

Today I’m holding my flag high and celebrating the day of freedom for my home country, the good old US of A!

4th of July // Independence Day // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m proud to live in a country that gives me the freedom to be my greatest dog-gone self!

4th of July // Independence Day // Ammo the Dachshund

4th of July // Independence Day // Ammo the Dachshund

So Happy Fourth of July everyone! Enjoy your backyard cookouts, parades, and fireworks and remember to celebrate being free! Ammo the Dachshund

For the Ladies

Photography // Ammo the Dachshund

After yesterday’s photography studio debacle, I decided I needed to redeem myself. What better way to do so than with some sexy photos for all the ladies out there! I’m sure you’ll agree after seeing all this eye candy….

Photography // Ammo the Dachshund

Photography // Ammo the Dachshund

Photography // Ammo the Dachshund

Why, Hello Ladies! *wink* Ammo the Dachshund

Throwback Thursday: The Head Tilt

It’s Throwback Thursday time! I dug through my old puppy photos and pulled out these gems to share with you today.

Throwback Thursday: The Puppy Head Tilt // Ammo the Dachshund

I was pretty cute, right? Well it’s about to get even cuter – because there is one thing I’m pretty sure none of you can resist…..it’s the elusive puppy head tilt!

Throwback Thursday: The Puppy Head Tilt // Ammo the Dachshund

What’s that you say, you’ve melted into a puddle of goo? Yea, I can have that effect. *wink*Ammo the Dachshund

Valentine’s Day DIY – Dog Collar Heart Accessory

Valentine’s Day is almost here, so with a little help from my mom I whipped up this happy heart DIY to help you spread some love any day of the year!

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY – Dog Collar Heart Accessory

This simple DIY can be made with a few items that you can likely find laying around your house.

What you need:

  • Scissors
  • A few small scraps of fabric
  • Needle and thread
  • Elastic
  • Sharpie
  • Dog Collar
  • Cotton stuffing (don’t have any on hand? you could always use some paper towels or tissues)
  • Embroidery thread (substitute needle and thread if you don’t have any)
  • Metallic paint (optional)
  • Pencil with eraser (optional)

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 1: Using a sharpie draw two small heart shapes onto your fabric. You may want to draw one on a plain piece of printer paper first and cut it out to use as a stencil.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: Cut both hearts out of your fabric.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 3: If you are using a plain piece of fabric then you may want to add a little Bling. By using the eraser end of your pencil you can stamp some dots of gold metallic paint onto your fabric hearts.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 4: Next measure the width of your dog collar, add about an inch, and cut this length out of your elastic. Once your paint is dry on your hearts you will want to sew a piece of looped elastic to the painted side with a needle and thread.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 5: Place your heart cutouts on top of each other (paint side up) and begin to stitch the two together using a piece of embroidery floss (or regular thread if that’s all you have). Stop stitching when you are about 3/4 of the way around.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 6: Stuff your heart with cotton filler (or any other stuffing you would like to use) and then stitch your heart the rest of the way shut.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Your heart collar accessory is now complete, and you can slip it onto your dog’s collar.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

I don’t know about you, but I think it totally says I LOVE YOU!

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

If you decide not to add paint to your happy little heart, you may want to use a fun fabric instead – just like the one my mom made below.

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m totally wearing my heart on my sleeve neck!

Valentine's Day DIY // Heart Collar Accessory for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

If you’re looking for more ways to spread a little love this year, make sure you check out my online SHOP for Valentine’s Day Greetings and more! Ammo the Dachshund

The collars I am wearing in this feature are from the lovely Mattie & Margot, and they have lots of great colors that would look oh so sweet with a happy little heart on them. 

Also you can fetch the id tag I’m wearing above from Blanket ID.

New in Shop! Valentine’s Day Cards

The special day of love is just around the corner on February 14th, have you gotten something for your Valentine yet? Well have no fear, Super Ammo is here, and I have just what you need in my Etsy Shop!

Dachshund Valentine's Day Cards // Flying Hero // Ammo the Dachshund

Dachshund Valentine's Day Cards // Flying Hero // Ammo the Dachshund

Dachshund Valentine's Day Cards // Flying Hero // Ammo the Dachshund

Dachshund Valentine's Day Cards // Flying Hero // Ammo the Dachshund

You can check out my entire line of cards and product in my Etsy Shop, Flying Hero!

Happy Heart Day! Ammo the Dachshund

Progress Report on Dog Agility

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

An Acme Halloween

After much anticipation I’m now ready to reveal my epic Halloween Costume! Many of you took guesses on my facebook page as to what I would be wearing this year – and some of you even guessed right!

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

This year I dressed as the famous Wile E. Coyote from the popular Looney Toons Cartoon!

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

I just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to chase that speedy Roadrunner, not to mention Wile E. Coyote had some pretty cool accessories via the Acme Catalog. The dude knew how to shop!

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

Mom helped me make a coyote hood for my costume out of fabric, wire, velcro, and hot glue – and yes, I am aware that it makes me look irresistibly cute! You’re welcome.

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

My Acme rocket may have not been from the official “Acme Catalog”, but mom did her best to build it’s likeness out of an old soda bottle, some cereal boxes, paint, elastic & rope.

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

So with my outfit complete I was ready to start hunting that roadrunner!

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

I was sooo close, but that darn Acme Rocket malfunctioned and he got away.

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

Drat!

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

I stick my tongue out at the pesky roadrunner.

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

Plan B involves ropes, I’ll let you know how that pans out.

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

Ammo the Dachshund // Halloween // Wile E. Coyote Costume

I hope everyone has a Happy Halloween! Be Spooktacular!

 

Roadrunner image viaAmmo the Dachshund

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

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!

Ammo the DachshundDisclaimer: 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!