Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Merry Christmas. Make Movement part of your celebration.
It’s the holiday season, between the good food, time with friends & family, and watching sports, make time to move. And if you have dogs, include them in your movement activities. Remember: movement is good for humans AND dogs. Plus, tired dogs are happy, well-behaved dogs.
Move more. Move often. Move with your dogs. Have a happy, healthy, movement-filled holiday season.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Move more. Bark less.
Spending too much time talking about (or thinking about) your movement plan may actually prevent you from moving. Of course, do enough research and planning to stay safe, then get up and get moving. (Safety first…that’s why the Labs keep their human on a leash.) After your movement session, share your pics and insights…then keep moving!
Move more. Bark less. Make movement part of your lifestyle.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Give Your Pets the Gift of Time.
It’s the holiday season, and there’s nothing wrong with buying a few fun presents for your pets. Treats, toys, fancy collars and leashes are great. But remember that your pets REALLY want your time and attention. Commit to spending time with your pets…not just during the holidays. Whether moving outside or hanging out at home, pets enjoy spending quality time with their humans.
Move more. Move often. Move with your dogs. Give the gift of time to your pets. Have a happy, healthy, movement-filled holiday season.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Keep Your Dogs Safe.
When you move outside with your dog, you will occasionally encounter potentially dangerous situations…wild animals; unstable trails; and, of course, off-leash humans. If possible, we avoid contact, and conflict, with these dangers. We stay alert and aware of our surroundings. We are often able to reroute; if not, we give as much space as possible when passing an unknown animal.
The #1 goal when you move outside with your dog is to keep your dog safe. Move more. Move often. Move with a Labrador whenever possible.
Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:
Stress Management Tip: Spend Time with Animals.
As we enter the busy holiday season, the Labs want to remind you that your dogs (and other pets) may help you manage your stress. The holiday season is full of stress (good and bad), including additional work and family obligations, parties, shopping, and other schedule disruptions. Spending time with animals may help with stress management.
When life gets busy, and you feel stressed, remember to make time for your pets. Spending time with your pets will make them happier…and may help you manage stress. That’s a win-win. Move more. Move often. Move with a Labrador whenever possible.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.