Posts Tagged ‘keystone dachshund races
Champion
We’ve all taken to calling little Ammo the Dachshund “Champion” this week. Because last Sunday we took him to the annual Keystone Dachshund Races. We didn’t have high hopes for him in the racing department – because the last two years he was sort of a racing dud. Not that he didn’t try, but he was just way too excited about being able to play with a bunch of puppies his size!
But this year Ammo decided to kick it into warp speed – as he flew past his competition in the heavy weigh division. Ammo weighs a hefty 20lbs – but he’s far from over weight – in fact he’s got some mean muscles and he’s in great shape. But most of the dachshund that attend the races are considered mini’s weighing 15lbs and under. And at 20lbs Ammo doesn’t qualify to be a standard dachshund (weighing more 25-30lb) so he’s what is called a “tweenie”.
Ammo finished first in 3 out of his 5 preliminary heats, earning him 3 spots in the semi-finals. And in an almost-to-close-to-call finish Ammo narrowly won his last chance race in the semi-finals. This earned him a spot in the Final race. Ammo went head-to-heat with lean mean mini-dachshund Dudley! It was a close race, but Dudley snuck across the finish line a nose ahead of Ammo.
We were super proud of our little Reserve Champ! Perhaps next year he’ll bring home the gold!
Racing wasn’t the only reason we were at the Keystone Dachshund Races, Ammo had also been invited back again to perform during the lunch break.
This year his best friend Trooper (my mom’s dog) performed with him. This was Trooper’s first performance ever – and there were a little kinks – but we all had lots of fun!
We look forward to visiting again next year!
Read all about Ammo’s big race and performance on his blog.
June Events & Sitting Ponies
Well June is officially here – and thus begins our countdown to pony penning! The pressure is on for me to think up a new skit for Minnow to perform while we are down there. I have a few random ideas floating around my head – but suggestions are definitely welcome!
I do need to come up with a plan though, so I have an idea of what new tricks I need to teach Minnow this year. In the hopes that working on some new tricks might spark an idea for me I started training both Minnow and Boomerang to sit.
We’re at the beginning stages right now, (although Boomer has had some previous lessons on it last year with me – I just got a bit distracted before finishing it) but I’m sure they will both get it soon. I’ve been training them together – something I only sometimes do – but working them at the same time is really helping them to learn faster. Boomerang I think might catch on a bit quicker than Minnow, as he’s less concerned about touching his butt to a rustling bean bag chair. Minnow would much rather prefer to pick them up and throw them. haha.
I’ve also been having Minnow watch me cue Boomerang to lay down – and I’m just waiting for the opportunity when Minnow offers this trick to me so I can reward him. Any day now….I can just tell!
Amongst the pony training, Ammo has also been getting ready for his big performance at the Keystone Dachshund Races next weekend.
I swear he’s really excited! 🙂
Ammo will be performing around lunchtime with his pal Super Trooper (my mom’s Australian Shepherd/Labrador). This will be Trooper’s debut performance and he’s been working really hard! Let’s just say I’m off in search of a doggie sized tutu today – it’s going to be epic.
So if you are in the Lewisberry PA area next Sunday June 12th around from 12pm – 6pm – be sure to shop by to watch Ammo race for charity & perform with Trooper. We’ll also have a booth set up where ammo will be selling some of his artwork- with perhaps a few pieces from the ponies as well. It’s definitely a fun day with the profits benefiting the Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue. We hope to see you there!
P.S. Ammo says that anyone who sports a “Go Ammo” t-shirt on Race day to support him will get an extra slobbery kiss!
Blitz and Minnow grazing at home at Iron Horse Farm
2010 Dachshund Races
Ammo in his stuntdog gear with his ribbons
On June 13th I took 1 1/2 year old Ammo the Dachshund to the Keystone Dachshund Races in Lewisberry Pa. We had been last year, but this year was different because not only would Ammo be racing, but he was also asked to perform a variety of his favorite tricks.
I was excited to see if Ammo would behave differently in the races this year, as he was now a full year older and had a lot of training under his belt. Like the Trick Ponies, I like to train Ammo using clicker training – food is a great motivator for all animals, and dogs are no exception.
Immediately when we arrived Ammo was excited to see lots of long and low dogs just like himself. He wanted to meet and play with EVERYONE. This was a change from last year as at 8 months old he was shy and a little nervous – I was excited to see that all my socialization with him had paid off by making him much more confident. Although, I should have guessed that his added confidence only hurt him when it came time to race. See Ammo (being the loveable Dachshund that he is) picked out the lead dog in every race and tried to entice him to play as they raced towards the finish. I admit I would have preferred Ammo to come bounding out of the start box towards me as he lept into my arms, but seeing him excited to play with other dogs his size also put a smile on my face. At the end of race day Ammo came home with 3 second places, a third, and a fourth and the title for fastest dog went to Mr. Monkey the Dachshund.
Ammo returning to his box after each trick, something he learned a week earlier
At around 2:30 it was Ammo’s turn to take center stage. I was pretty nervous as to whether or not he’d actually do ANYTHING I asked of him. See if you know Dachshunds, then you know that they can be VERY stubborn. Classified as one of the hardest breeds to house train, Dachshunds certainly have a mind of their own. And while I knew Ammo wanted very much to please me, I wasn’t sure if the temptation of other smells, other dogs, or other people would sway him from performing his tricks. I was relieved as Ammo performed just about every trick I asked of him, including jumping through his hoop with his stuntdog gear on. Yet despite his willingness to execute the tasks, Ammo’s enthusiasm was lacking a little. I think his all day play session with the other racers had worn him out, not to mention it felt like it was 90 degrees inside the covered arena where we were. Overall I was pleased that he atleast tried for me, and thats all I could have asked. I’m not sure if he will ever have the “presence” that the Trick Ponies command, but I can be sure he’ll atleast be able to perform alongside them in the future.
Auction off one of Ammo's works of art to benefit the Coast to Coast Dachshund Rescue
I look forward to racing again next year with Ammo. Perhaps one of these days we’ll be able to bring home a blue!
To see more photos from Ammo’s Performance be sure to visit his facebook page.
Stuntdog
Ammo the Dachshund has his VERY FIRST performance tomorrow at the Keystone Dachshund Races. I don’t know if he’s nervous, but I’m nervous for him. We’ve been nonstop practicing his tricks all week, and I think he’s pretty prepared. Ammo is a little bit on the shy side (although you would never guess if you follow along in his adventures on Facebook), so it will be a big surprise to everyone what he decides to do as the center of attention in a crowd of Dachshunds.
I’m pretty confidant he will know just what to do! (or at least I hope!) During his performance Ammo will also be creating one of his original scratch art pieces which we will be auctioning off to benefit the Coast-to-Coast Dachshund Rescue.
Oh and not to forget Ammo will also be racing! Last year’s performance was a little bit embarrassing for him, but in his defense he was only about 8 months old, and he had no clue what he was doing. This year he’s a year older, and a year more confident. Not to mention he passed his level one training class and he’s nearing completion of his level two training. I’m so proud of him!
If you are in the area tomorrow be sure to stop by the races (even if you aren’t owned by a Dachshund), its sure to be a good time, and the profits benefit a good cause.
Visit Ammo’s Facebook Page to see more photos of him in his Stuntdog outfit! Isn’t he just the cutest thing?
P.S. if you like Ammo’s outfit check out Kalyxcornucopia! See the neat videos that Baxter made below…
