Tag Archives: trail dogs

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 47:23 We Need Time and Attention

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Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:

We need time and attention.

As we enter the busy holiday season, the Labs want to remind you that your dogs need time and attention. Of course, we wish we could bring the Labs with us everywhere, but that’s not practical (fancy holiday parties) or safe for them (biking). So when we know we’ll be leaving the Labs at home, we take them for a walk first…to spend time with them…and to tire them out so that they’re ready to nap.

If you have pets, they are part of your family. When life gets busy, remember to make time for your pets, so that ALL of your family may have a safe and happy holiday season!

 

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 44:23 Be Proactive About Your Health

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Labrador Lesson for 11/4/23:

Be Proactive About Your Health.

The Labradors count on their humans to create a healthy lifestyle. After consulting with the humans, the Labs have 3+ tips to help you and your 4-legged friends implement a healthy lifestyle. 1. Get regular movement. This is easy for the Labs; they love to move. 2. Eat quality food (and not “too much” of it). The Labs REALLY need the humans for this one…and sometimes humans need a consult from a registered dietitian. 3. Remember to get regular checkups and vaccines. Bonus tip: ENJOY your movement time; have fun with it!

Move more. Move often. Whether you have 2 legs or 4, take a tip from the Labs: be proactive about your health.

 

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 43:23 Move Consistently Throughout the Year

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Labrador Lesson for 10/28/23:

Move Consistently Throughout the Year.

The Labradors LOVE to get outside to move in the Fall (and Winter), but they know it’s important to keep moving throughout the year…even during the Summer, when they’d prefer to play inside an air-conditioned house. Moving consistently throughout the year provides physical and mental health benefits…and allows you to be prepared to move more during your favorite seasons. We all have our preferences for ideal movement weather, but with preparation and adaptation, we can enjoy moving outside year-round.

Move more. Move often. Take a tip from the Labs: move consistently throughout the year.

 

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 42:23 Take Your Time

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Labrador Lesson for 10-21-23:

Take Your Time.

Welcome to the first official Saturday edition of Labrador Lessons. As Labradors, we understand that humans are sometimes in a rush to cram too many activities into a single day…Unfortunately, that rush may prevent you from getting the most out of each activity on your schedule. During the Summer, our humans often rush us through our morning walk to Beat The Heat. Now that cooler temperatures have arrived, we’re reminding them…and you…to take the time to enjoy your movement session. Take a tip from us: make the time to focus on the positive aspects of your movement activity AND your environment.

Whether you have 2 legs or 4, remember to take your time. Move more. Move often. Make time to enjoy your movement and your time outside.

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 41:23 Remember to Have Fun

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Labrador Lesson for 10-13-23:

Remember to have fun.

As Labradors, we don’t read the news, but we see just enough television and social media to know that there is no shortage of negativity in the world. Take a tip from us: focus on the positive and remember to have fun. Our fun times include walking with our humans (on leash, for their safety); chewing sticks; and watching deer 🦌 and turkeys 🦃. We also love frolicking in the snow, but even when there’s no snow, we remember to have fun when we get outside.

Whether you have 2 legs or 4, remember to have fun…in your movement practice, and in the rest of your life. Focus on the positive and create fun times whenever possible.

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 39:23 Enhance Your Dog’s Quality of Life

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Labrador Lesson for 9/29/23:

Enhance your dog’s quality of life.

We all want our dogs to live long, healthy, happy lives. Here are 3 simple tips for enhancing your dog’s quality of life: 1. Keep your dog at a healthy weight. This calls for a combination of portion control and movement. Consult your vet or a dog trainer if you need guidance in formulating a plan. 2. Keep your dog active, ideally on soft surfaces with a healthy dose of hills to utilize more muscle mass. 3. Be present with your dog, who may not make good/safe decisions when left unsupervised.

Move more. Move often. Move with your dog. Get outside and enjoy hoodie season.

 

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 38:23 Make The Outdoors More Pleasant for All

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Labrador Lesson for 9/24/23:

Make the Outdoors Pleasant for All.

The Labs have 3 recommendations for dog owners to help everyone (with or without a dog) enjoy spending time outside this Fall. 1. Pick up after your dog. No one wants to see 💩 on the trail (or field, or playground…). 2. Obey the leash laws. Keeping your dog on a leash in public places allows others, who may be afraid of dogs, to enjoy being outside. Leashing your dog also helps keep your dog safe. Left to their own devices, dogs may make bad decisions…like running in front of a car, chasing a wild animal, or eating something dangerous. 3. Even if your dog is on-leash and friendly, not everyone wants to meet him/her, so for the comfort of all involved, keep your dog close when you’re around people you don’t know.

Move more. Move often. Move with your dog. Take a tip from the Labs: do your part to make the outdoors pleasant for all. And keep your dogs close to keep them safe.

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 37:23 Make Movement a Priority

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Labrador Lesson for 9/16/23:

Make Movement a Priority.

Major life changes, even positive life changes, create stress and disrupt our regularly scheduled activities. The Labs suggest that when life gets busy and/or stressful, you find a way to make time to move…especially if that movement includes walking your dog(s). Regular movement may help manage stress. Movement also provides mental and physical health benefits.

Move more. Move often. Take a tip from the Labs: when life gets busy/stressful, make time to move and play!

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 35:23 Why the Labs Are Excited About Fall

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Labrador Lesson for 9/1/23:

Why the Labs are excited about Fall.

The Labs have noticed that humans sometimes get sad about the end of Summer. So they wanted to share 3 things they are looking forward to once Summer is over. 1. Cooler temperatures make walking in a fur coat much more comfortable. 2. Fall foliage. They love to crunch through fallen leaves 🍁 and munch on the occasional acorn or wild apple 🍏. 3. Once the temperatures get cold and the grasses die down, they can spend more time hiking in the woods with less concern about ticks.

Move more. Move often. Don’t be sad that Summer is ending. Get excited that Fall is coming!

 

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 25:23 Paw Protection Reminder

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Labrador Lesson for 6/16/23:

Paw Protection Reminder.

As Labradors, we like to get outside to move year-round, but when the heat of Summer arrives, we need to take steps to protect our paws. While we can do a great “hot girl walk,” we want to avoid a hot paw walk!Our humans adapt our route to seek shade and soft surfaces. If we need to walk in the sun, we avoid the mid-day heat, and our humans test the surface temperature with their hands before we put our paws at risk. If the surface temperature gets too warm, we’ll cut our walk short or find a cooler, soft-surface route. The goal is to keep moving year-round…without risking an injury.

Move more. Move often. Adapt your movement routine as necessary to keep your 4-legged friends safe and healthy through the Summer.