Tag Archives: trail safety

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 42:24 On a Short Leash

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Lab Lessons from FitLab Deep Creek:

On a Short Leash.

We now spend more time on single track trails than we do on wider trails (rails-to-trails, paved trails, etc…). The Labs and humans love hiking in the woods. To make sure we all stay safely on the trail, the humans have purchased shorter leashes (3 feet for Abbie and 4 feet for Puddin). The Labs still have space to sniff and explore, but they’re less likely to drag the humans off the trail (or down a hillside).

Move more. Move often. Find a leash that meets your needs.

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 40:24 Stay Safe in Dangerous Weather

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LabLessons from FitLab Deep Creek:

Stay Safe in Dangerous Weather.

We don’t use weather as an excuse to stay inside…unless the weather poses a safety risk. Flooding, lightning, and high wind warnings ARE valid reasons to alter your movement plans. Last week we skipped a walk due to high winds. Based on the number of fallen trees we saw the next day, we made the right choice! But a rainy day (without flooding risk) won’t keep the Labs (or their staff) inside. The Labs encourage you to make movement part of your lifestyle…but put safety first.

Move more. Move often. Stay safe when dangerous weather comes your way.

 

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 33:24 Please, Don’t Sneak Up On Us

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LabLessons from FitLab Deep Creek:

Please, Don’t Sneak Up on Us.

The Labs know their human staff tries hard to be aware of their surroundings during trail hikes. Occasionally, the Labs distract the humans by eating inappropriate items on the trail (sticks, acorns, etc…). For that reason, the Labs would like to remind all trail users to give notice when passing others from behind. “Sneaking” up on people might scare them off the trail!

Move more. Move often. Give notice when approaching other trail users from behind. Do your part to help all trail users enjoy their experience.

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 31:24 Be Aware of Your Surroundings

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LabLessons from FitLab Deep Creek:

Be Aware of Your Surroundings.

As we’re training Abbie the Black Lab to be a responsible trail dog, we are especially conscious of our surroundings on the trails. We stay alert for other trail users (human and animal). When possible, we step off the trail to allow other users to pass…because not everyone wants a close encounter with an energetic lab.

Move more. Move often. Be willing to yield. Share the trail.

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 25:24 Heatwave Safety Tips for Dogs

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LabLessons from FitLab Deep Creek:

Heatwave Safety Tips for Dogs.

Due to the current heatwave impacting much of the country, we’re bringing you a bonus Lab Lesson – 5 tips to keep dogs (and their humans) safely moving through the summer heat. 1) Get out early (or late) to avoid mid-day heat. 2) Choose soft surfaces if possible (cooler on paws). 3) Choose shade if possible. 4) Let the dogs set the pace (but be ready to slow them down or shorten the walk as needed). 5) Make plenty of water stops.

Move more. Move often. Stay safe so that you can keep moving in any weather.

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 19:24 It’s All About the Dogs

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Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:

It’s All About the Dogs.

You may have a plan when you go out for a walk, hike, or run that includes a certain pace. If you’re moving with dogs, remember to factor their comfort into your plan. If you have a dog who doesn’t love heat (or who isn’t acclimated to heat), a fast run on a hot Spring day is not a good idea. Of course, don’t risk your safety trying to keep up with your dog! And don’t risk your dog’s health asking him/her to keep up with you.

Move more. Move often. Move with your dogs. Stay safe.

 

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 5:24 Share the Trail

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Labrador Lesson from FitLabPGH:

Share the Trail.

We haven’t moved to another hemisphere; this is a never-before-released Labrador Lesson from October 2023. The message from the Labs: don’t interfere with other trail users. Whether we’re walking, running, or shooting videos, we stay aware of our surroundings, so that our actions don’t interfere with the ability of other trail users to enjoy the trail. We give plenty of space when passing others (or being passed by runners or cyclists), and when we’re stopped, we step completely off the trail. Little actions can make a big difference in making the trails an enjoyable place to move.

Move more. Move often. Share the trail by not interfering with the activities of other trail users.

 

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 49:23 Message from the Labs: Keep Us Safe

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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.

 

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 30:23 Protect Our Paws

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Labrador Lesson for 7/28/23:

Protect Our Paws.

As Labradors, we enjoy moving outside year round. We’ve mentioned that we prefer walking/hiking on soft surfaces, especially during the Summer because soft surfaces usually stay cooler than hard surfaces. We don’t want to burn our paws! One disadvantage of soft surfaces? It can be harder to spot dangerous debris (glass, thorns) on soft surfaces. So our request to you is to be alert. Watch where you’re walking…especially if you’re walking with dogs who aren’t wearing shoes. We’d like to avoid having a piece of glass (or a thorn) stuck in one of our paws. Even though you probably wear shoes, broken glass can hurt you too…so be alert, and do your part to keep trails and parks free from broken glass!

Whether you’re a human or a dog, get outside and move more this Summer…and when you do, be alert, watch for dangerous debris, so that you and your dogs can keep moving safely through the Summer.

FitLabPGH Lab Lessons 29:23 Summer Safety Tips from the Labs

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Labrador Lesson for 7/21/23:

Summer Safety Tips from the Labs.

As Labradors, we enjoy EVERY opportunity to move…but we know that moving through the Summer requires certain safety precautions. Here are our top 5 tips to keep your dogs moving safely through the Summer heat.

1.Get moving early (avoid mid-day heat). 2. Seek shade to reduce radiant heat. 3. Seek soft surfaces- easier on the joints + soft surfaces stay cooler, offering some paw protection. 4. Move at the dog’s pace. 5. Bring plenty of fluids. The Labs enjoy @berkey_filters filtered water in their own @nalgene bottles.

Whether you’re a human or a dog, get outside and move more this Summer…and when you do, follow simple precautions to keep you moving safely through the Summer heat.