October 2013 Monthly Recap

Before we get to the recap of all the exciting adventures I’ve been on in October, I wanted to give a shoutout to my special sponsors! Without them I wouldn’t be able to keep my website up and running.

dogagilityshop-250x250The Dog Agility Shop is one of my favorite shops for all of your dog agility equipment needs. Even if you aren’t a big time competitor, having some DIY’d dog agility equipment in your backyard is a great way to have some fun with your dog and get some exercise too. The Dog Agility Shop supplies all the parts and accessories you need to make your own equipment at a very affordable price! And with FREE US GROUND SHIPPING their prices can’t be beat! Make sure you shop the Dog Agility Shop the next time you are in need of equipment!

If you would like to find out more about my advertising rates, click HEREAnd thanks again to all of my wonderful sponsors, I couldn’t do it without you!

And now a look at everything I’ve been up to this past October…

Birthday Week: Ammo's Birthday Wish List // Ammo the Dachshund

October kicked off my Birthday Week Celebration, and I started off by sharing my Birthday Wish List.

Birthday Week: Ammo turns 5 // Reader Survey // Ammo the Dachshund

I created a little Birthday week survey for everyone, and even answered some of your burning questions.

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

I shared a tutorial on how to create a DIY Piñata for your dog!

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I created a free desktop wallpaper so you can smile all day long!

Birthday Week: Ammo the Dachshund turns 5!

I turned 5 years young on October 5th!

Birthday Presents and Homemade Cookies // Ammo the Dachshund

My mom helped me bake Birthday Cookies!

keystone dachshund races

I started training for the Dachshund Races.

Ammo's 2014 Wall Calendar // Flying Hero Etsy Shop

I announced the release of my 2014 Calendar!

Yeungling Oktoberfest Dachshund Races // Ammo the Dachshund

I recapped my adventures at the Oktoberfest Dachshund Races.

Clean Run Toys // Ammo the Dachshund

I introduced everyone into the world of dog agility toys.

Adventure Awaits // Ammo the Dachshund Button

I introduced my new Ammo Buttons!

Fair Hill International with Ammo the Dachshund

I went to the Fair Hill International Event with my pal Trooper.

Shilah the Husky in Pink with Glowdoggie // Ammo the Dachshund

I had a photoshoot with my pal Shilah and her new pink Glowdoggie collar.

Bump in the Night // Happy Halloween // Ammo the Dachshund

Things got spooky around my house as I prepared for Halloween.

Cowabunga, Dude! Ammo the Dachshunds 2013 Halloween Costume - Raphael the Ninja Turtle

I shared my 2013 Halloween costume, and my new found love of pizza.

Halloween Party // Ammo the Dachshund

I shared my halloween party adventures with everyone.

What kind of fun did you have this October? Ammo the Dachshund

Happy Birthday Ammo the Dachshund!

Today is my Birthday! I’m officially 5!

Birthday Week: Ammo the Dachshund turns 5!

Even though I’m five I don’t feel a day over 2! I’m looking forward to many more years of adventures and I wanted to thank all of you for joining me for Birthday Week as well as all of my journeys! I enjoy making all of you smile and I appreciate you leaving me comments on my blog and facebook page. I’m lucky to have friends like you!

Birthday Week: Ammo the Dachshund turns 5!

And now I bet you are all wondering what exactly I got for my Birthday! So lets take a look inside my gift box!

Birthday Week: Ammo the Dachshund turns 5!

Oh lucky day, I got a Benebone (which I can’t wait to start chewing to see how well it will hold up to my choppers), and Nylabone Dental Chew, and a yummy goody from Pet Valu! I feel like the luckiest boy in the world!

So thanks again for celebrating with me this week. I hope you had as much fun as I did! Ammo the Dachshund

Birthday Week: Free Desktop Wallpaper

Even though it’s Birthday Week, I decided not to make it ALL ABOUT ME, so I whipped up a little desktop wallpaper for everyone to use!

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And because I’m feeling extra generous (and it’s Friday) I also wanted to give all my friends a coupon code to use in my online shop!

So use BIRTHDAYWEEK to receive 20% off anything in my SHOP. (coupon expires 10/3/13)

And don’t forget to stop by my blog for a special post tomorrow – because on Saturday I turn FIVE! Ammo the Dachshund

Birthday Week: DIY Dachshund Pinata for your Dog

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

It’s Birthday Week, which means I plan to celebrate BIG! So this year mom helped me whip up the perfect party accessory, a PINATA! Keep reading to find out how you can make your own piñata for your dog.

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

Supplies:

  • Thin Cardboard (cereal boxes work great)
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Pencil
  • Tissue Paper
  • String
  • Small dog cookies

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

Step 1: Trace the shape of your piñata onto two pieces of cardboard. We chose to use a dachshund shape, but this could work for any dog shape. The more simplified the shape is the easier it will be to create a piñata. Then cut both of them out.

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

Step 2: Cut several strips about 3″ wide out of a thin cardboard (cereal boxes work great), then begin to edge one of your dog shapes by taping the strips along the edges.

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

Step 4: When you have edged your shape all the way around the dog, make a hinged door at the base of the dog. You will also want to make sure you section off some of your dog shape so that the cookies will stay in one area (and not fall into the legs) like the picture above. When you are all done you will want to add your second dog shape to the other side and tape into place.

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

Step 5: Cut several strips of tissue paper out and fringe the edges of them with your scissors.

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

Step 6: Wrap the tissue paper around your dog and tape into place. You can alternate colors by overlapping them.

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

Step 7: Tie a string through the door of your piñata, you can use a small stick to keep it from pulling through. Then cover the base of your dog in tissue paper and tape several pieces of dummy string (that won’t do anything when pulled) to the underside. It helps to use a less sticky tape like washi tape, or simply rub scotch tape on your clothing before attaching to the piñata.

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

Step 8: Fill your piñata with small cookies and tape shut with a small piece of slightly sticky tape.

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

Step 9: If you want your dog to be able to open the piñata themselves then you may want to tie some cookies to the ends of your strings. Otherwise you can pull the string for your dog.

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

Step 10: Hang your piñata for your dog to enjoy! Make sure you always supervise your dog while playing with the piñata and do not allow them to eat the string!

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

I had a blast with my Birthday Piñata, just check out the video below:

Happy Birthday Week to Me! Ammo the Dachshund

Birthday Week: Reader Survey

I thought it would be fun to create a little reader survey for all my fans. Just a little something to get to know you better, and to help me make my blog even better!

Birthday Week: Ammo turns 5 // Reader Survey // Ammo the Dachshund

So if you have just a few minutes today, I’d really really love it if you could Take my Survey!

And since I’m asking you to share a little bit about yourself today, I thought it would be fun to answer a few questions about myself, just like I did last year, so you can get to know me a little bit better! Some questions are ones my fans posted on Facebook, and a few I threw in there for fun!

Q: Are you a standard or a mini dachshund?

A: I get this question a lot actually. I weigh in at about 17lbs, which is much too large to be a mini dachshund (typically they are under 10 lbs) but a little small for a standard (usually around 30lbs). So mostly I consider myself a tweenie, since I’m in between sizes! Below is a photo of me with my pal Liebe, who is a standard dachshund.

Barn Hunt with Ammo the Dachshund

Q: Is there anything you are afraid of? (question from Rebecca F.)

A: I like to think I’m a pretty brave dog (after all I am a Super Hero) but if we’re being honest I do have a few small fears. I dislike the vacuum, I hate fire or even the smell of smoke, I’m not a fan of loud gunshot sounds, and I’m afraid of the vets office (not necessarily the vet or the people that work there, just the actual place – you know the place you get all your shots). Below is a shot of me at the vet last year when I got a little puncture wound playing on the farm.

Ammo the Dachshund goes to the vet

Q: How did you learn to behave so well off-leash and at the farm? (question from Brenda D.)

A: That’s a good question! Truth be told I’m rarely ever allowed off leash, with the exception of the family farm. My backyard at home is completely fenced in and the few times I did manage to get out I did take a little neighborhood tour before mom and dad caught me. But at the farm I’m allowed to roam free, with nothing keeping me from wandering. This was a luxury that mom and dad allowed me to do when I was just a wee pup (but keeping a watchful eye at all times) and I just decided that there was plenty to occupy me (meaning lots of groundhog holes) on the 20 acres that the horse farm sits that I didn’t really feel the need to wander. Now just because I’m allowed off leash on the farm doesn’t mean that I always come when I’m called. I’ve got stubborn dachshund in my blood and if I’m on a scent or emerged in a hole I can’t be bothered to listen to mom’s calls. But that’s why I wear a glowdoggie collar at night, and hopefully soon I’ll be wearing a GPS tracker as well – so mom doesn’t have to wander all over the farm looking for me.

But for places like the dog friendly beach, where mom and dad decided to trust me enough to let me off leash, they make sure to keep a tube full of cookies nearby that they shake when they want me to come. Something about that noise makes me come running! I also practice my recalls regularly, but like I said I am a dachshund, and sometimes still have a mind of my own!

Higbee Beach - Dog Friendly Beaches in Cape May via Ammo the Dachshund

Q: What is the hardest trick you have ever learned? (question from Rebecca F.)

A: It seems as though the more tricks I learn the better I get at learning (so the faster I am able to master them). One of my hardest tricks though was learning how to hold objects in my mouth for pictures. You may have noticed that more recently I have been taking more photos with things in my mouth. While I’m still learning to hold them for extended lengths of time, this has probably been one of the most difficult tricks for me to master.

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

Q: How did you get so handsome? (question from Miles F.)

A: I like to think that I was sprinkled with fairy dust when I was just a pup. Or perhaps it’s because I always eat all my veggies!

ammo the dachshund tomatoe

So I hope you enjoyed learning a little bit more about me! And don’t forget to Take my SurveyAmmo the Dachshund

Birthday Week: Ammo’s Birthday Wishlist

We can all admit that one of the greatest things about having a Birthday is the presents! So I’ve rounded up a few of my current Birthday Wish List items to share with you!

Birthday Week: Ammo's Birthday Wish List // Ammo the Dachshund

 

 

  1. Fresh Dog Dry Shampoo from Olive
  2. Barkbox Monthly Subscription
  3. Nylabone Dog Chew
  4. Igloo Dog Bed from Mungo & Maud
  5. Turquoise Flexi Lead from Chewy.com (which I only plan to use when I go to the lake and want to go swimming & mom and dad don’t. Otherwise I believe using standard leashes are a much safer option!)

Ammo the Dachshund

 

Birthday Week: Dachshund Art Giveaway

Welcome to Birthday Week! Each year I celebrate my Birthday, which is on October 5th, during the first week in October! This year I will be turning 5 and I figured there was no better way to start off the Birthday Week celebration then to giveaway some goodies to all my fans!

Birthday Week: Dachshund Art Giveaway via Ammo the Dachshund

So I rounded up some of my favorite Dachshund Prints to giveaway to two lucky readers!

Birthday Week: Dachshund Art Giveaway via Ammo the Dachshund

First up we have a lovely Dachshund Sleep Study Print by Kimmy Hogan from White with Three! Modeled after her own mini dachshund, Rio, this sleep study documents 8 of the many contortions that us doxies love to sleep in.

Birthday Week: Dachshund Art Giveaway via Ammo the Dachshund

My mom helped me custom frame my own dachshund sleep study, and now it’s happily hanging on my office wall!

Birthday Week: Dachshund Art Giveaway via Ammo the Dachshund

Next we have a cute dachshund print by Debbie Sampson! You might remember I shared my own custom framed print by Debbie a few months ago, which is now hanging in my office at home!

A Dachshund's Art Gallery // Ammo the Dachshund

And now for your chance to win some happy dog art for your own walls!

TWO Lucky winners will receive one of the Dachshund Art Prints Above.

Here’s HOW TO WIN:

For this giveaway we will be using Rafflecopter. We only use this information to contact the winner and we never share it – so not to worry. Two 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. Open to US Residents Only. Winners must claim their prizes within 48 hours of being notified or prize will be forfeited. Good luck! **Art Prints do not come custom framed, but if you are in need of framing, make sure you check out my mom’s shop!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for celebrating my Birthday with me! Make sure you stop by all week long to see what else I have in store! Ammo the Dachshund

Birthday Week: Dog Treat Round-up

I couldn’t decide what I wanted mom to bake me for my Birthday, so I decided to round-up some of my favorite dog treat recipes on the web right now.

My paws are crossed that mom will bake me one of these this weekend, because when your Birthday is on a Friday you get to extend it into a Birthday Weekend – it’s a rule!

Natural Dog Treat Recipe with Apples from 17 Apart

Ammo the Dachshund // Birthday Week // Natural Dog Treats with Apples

Ingredients:

  • 2 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1 finely chopped or grated apple
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 1/3 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoon brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup cold water

Ammo the Dachshund // Birthday Week // Natural Dog Treat Recipe

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees and grease cookie sheets. Blend flour and cornmeal in large mixing bowl, then incorporate apple, egg, oil, brown sugar, and water until well blended. Flour your workspace and roll out dough to desired thickness. Cut cookies to desired shape and size. Place dog cookies on baking sheet and bake 35 minutes. After baking, turn oven off and leave cookies inside for another 30-45 minutes until crisp. Allow to cool and store in an air-tight container.

 

Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits from Pink Pistachio

Ammo the Dachshund // Birthday Week // Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup oats
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon applesauce

Ammo the Dachshund // Birthday Week // Peanut Butter Dog Biscuits

Directions: Preheat oven to 350. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl. Add wet ingredients and mix until well blended. Knead into a ball and roll out on wax paper to 1/2″ thickness. Using cookie cutters cut out cookies and place on an unlined baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Store in an air-tight container.

 

Low Fat Carrot Dog Treats from Dog Treat Recipes 

Ammo the Dachshund // Birthday Week // Carrot and Banana Dog Treat Recipe

Image via 17 Apart

Ingredients:

  • 1 medium banana (ripe)
  • 1 cup shredded carrots
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened applejuice
  • 1/8 cup water (maybe more, as needed)
  • 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (keep some handy for rolling)
  • 1 cup rolled oats

Ammo the Dachshund // Birthday Week // Carrot and Banana Dog Treat Recipe
Image via 17 Apart

Directions: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, lightly spraying a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and sprinkling a little flour onto the surface you’re planning to use to roll out the dough. In a medium bowl, mash up the banana and mix in the shredded carrots. Then add water and apple juice. Stir. Next, add the oats and flour. Stir all of the ingredients together until they are thoroughly combined.

Using your hands, knead the mixture until a dough forms. Dump the dough onto the lightly floured surface that you prepared earlier. Roll it out until it’s about a half inch thick. Using a cookie cutter, cut into 3″ pieces. Place the pieces onto your lightly sprayed baking sheet. Bake the dog treats for 25 minutes.

Before “serving”, let them cool completely. Here’s a tip that you may find useful: If your dog likes a little more crunch to his treats, then turn off the oven and let the treats cool there overnight.

 

I don’t know about you, but I’m totally drooling! Ammo the Dachshund

 

 

Birthday Week: Get to Know Me

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! Ammo the Dachshund

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.

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Birthday Week: B-day Photoshoot – Sneak Peek

It’s becoming a yearly tradition now to take “Birthday Themed” photos of me during the week of my Birthday. And while I can hardly wait to show you how my photo shoot turned out this year, I figure if I have to wait a few more days to open my presents – then you should have to wait to see my photos!

Birthday Week // Ammo the Dachshund // B-day Photos Sneak Peek

Torturous I know, but it will all be worth it when you can see me in my spiffy party hat made by my pal Baxter’s mom.

Birthday Week // Ammo the Dachshund // B-day Photos Sneak Peek

Birthday Week // Ammo the Dachshund // B-day Photos Sneak Peek

The good news is – only 2 more days until I’m 4! Ammo the Dachshund