Birthday Week: DIY Projects for Pets

Every year during Birthday Week I like to come up with some fun diy projects that can be made at home for your pet. While I do have some brand-new projects to share with you this week I thought it would be fun to take a look back at all the previous projects I created for my blog (with a little help from my mom).

So here’s some of my favorite DIY Projects for Pets that you can make at home!

Birthday Week: Easy DIY Paper Bowtie // Ammo the Dachshund

Super Easy DIY Paper Bowtie

DIY Dog Nail Art // Woof // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY String Art

Easy DIY Spray Painted Dog Art // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Spray Painted Dog Art

Valentine's Day DIY Flirt Pole - interactive dog toy // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Flirt Pole

Birthday Week: DIY Dachshund Piñata for your Dog via Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Pet Friendly Piñata

DIY Dachshund Cork Board via Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Dachshund Cork Board

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY 2×2 Agility Weave Poles

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl - Under $5 // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Chalkboard Dog Bowl

5 Minute No Sew DIY Easter Bowtie for your Dog // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY No Sew Bowtie

DIY Ombre Pet Bandana via Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Ombre Pet Bandana

DIY dog toys

DIY Dog Toys

ammo the dachshund diy dog cookies

DIY Birthday Dog Bones

diy dachshund gift wrap

DIY Dachshund Gift Wrap

ammo the dachshund diy dog agility jumps

DIY Dog Agility Jumps

Birthday Week // DIY Pet Birthday Bandana // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY Birthday Pet Bandana

Who would have thought there would be so many things you could make for your dog? Stay tuned tomorrow as I’ll have some fun NEW DIY projects to share with you, and if you want even more inspiration, be sure to check out all my past DIY projectsAmmo the Dachshund // Blog Signature // Celebrity

Happy Birthday Week to me!

Dog Agility on the Farm

It’s been a while since I shared much about my ongoing agility training. The fact is, I actually haven’t been to any training classes since last year, mostly I blame it on my mom because her schedule got too hectic to take me.

Ammo the Dachshund // Agility // Teeter Totter

But even though I may not be taking regular classes, that doesn’t mean that I’m not doing a little training on the side, because….

Real Dogs Have Muscles! via Ammo the Dachshund

Agility is a great way to keep me muscled and fit, plus it’s fun too! Early this Spring my mom decided to move all my agility equipment out to the farm so that we’d have more room to practice. And you know what, I completely forgot to share with you this fun little video of me running the agility course in the horse arena giant sandbox.

Obviously I was a bit rusty, but not too bad! I’ll just have to keep up with even more practicing.

Agility Tunnel with Ammo the Dachshund

If you’d like to find out more about how much fun agility is for you and your dog, you can check out some of my old posts.

What do you do with your dog for exercise?Ammo the Dachshund // Blog Signature // Celebrity

Dog Agility Training – the off days

As you may already know I have been taking agility training classes for a long time now. I have yet to ever compete, and someday I might, but mostly I just enjoy the exercise and mental stimulation.

Ammo the Dachshund // Dog Agility

However, despite my love of running the courses, sometimes I have off days too. For example last week I was a little off my game. Having just been to the vet for a nail trim (sort of stressful for me) and having to wait extra long in my crate for my turn on the course (stressful as well when you aren’t a huge fan of the crate), I had pretty much worn myself out from worrying by the time it was my turn to run the course.

I tried my best, but I was just a bit distracted (hence why I missed a few obstacles and did some very poorly executed weave poles) and much much slower on the course than normal. But hey, we’re all allowed to have off days – perhaps next week at class I’ll have a little more pep in my step! Ammo the Dachshund

 

DIY: Build Your own 2×2 Agility Weave Poles

You might remember that back in November I posted a tutorial on how to build your own agility weave poles with the help of my friends at the Dog Agility Shop.

Well when winter rolled around I had to pack up my poles since it was just too cold to practice outdoors. That was until my dad surprised me for Christmas with a set of homemade 2×2 Weave Poles.

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

I’ve been using my set all winter, and I’m proud to say I can now weave, but I completely forgot to share how they were made with all of you! So better late than never – here’s my tutorial for building your own set of indoor 2×2 Weave Poles!

DIY Dog Agility 2×2 Weave Poles – Set of 6 poles

Supplies Needed:

Step 1: 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. Then you can stripe your poles with colored duct tape to make them more visible.

DIY Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 2: Cut your Steelworks Plated Slotted Flats into three 36″ length pieces and six 9″ length pieces.

Step 3: Drill a hole the same size as your carriage bolts into the bottom of the PVC Plugs.

Step 4: Place the 9″ Slotted Flat pieces on opposite sides and 6 inches from either end of your 36″ length slotted flat pieces. Place your carriage bolts through from underneath to hold them together, with the PVC plugs on top. Add your washers and hex nuts to the inside of the PVC plugs and tighten to hold them together.

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 5: Slip the PVC couplings onto the bottom of your poles and then slide them into the PVC plugs that are attached to the Slotted Flat pieces.

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

Step 6: Lay out the Weave Pole Placer as a guide as to where to place your poles (you can opt to leave it under the poles or remove it after they are placed). Your poles will work best on a carpeted surface.

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

DIY 2x2 Dog Agility Weave Poles // Ammo the Dachshund

For a quick tutorial on how to teach your dog the weave poles using the 2×2 method check out the video HERE. You may want to find a dog agility trainer or class in your area for more detailed instructions.

If you would like to make a set of outdoor weave poles, check out my tutorial HERE. 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

Dog Agility – Practicing the Chute

Every week I attend a dog agility class with mom at the Dog Training Center of Chester County. After several months of classes now I’m really starting to get the hang of things.

Dog Agility - Practicing the Chute // Ammo the Dachshund

Waiting for my turn on the course is one of the hardest things about going to class, it’s just too much fun!

Dog Agility - Practicing the Chute // Ammo the Dachshund

I’m currently working really hard on learning the weave poles, it’s like this crazy mind puzzle that I’m trying to figure out. Any day now I’ll crack it!

Recently I logged some time practicing the chute. I’m a big fan of the chute as you can see….it’s almost like I’m underground burrowing for groundhogs. Total agility heaven for us doxies.

So any of my fans also dog agility stars? Any favorite obstacles? Ammo the Dachshund

 

 

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

 

This post was sponsored by the Dog Agility Shop. They specialize in hard to find agility items at the lowest prices on the internet. From jump cups and pole placers to full package starter sets, they are your one stop shop for all of your agility equipment needs.

Check them out HERE!

DIY Weave Poles with the Dog Agility Shop

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.

 

Beginner Dog Agility Classes

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*