Barriers and motivators for owners walking their dog: results from qualitative research.
OBJECTIVE
This qualitative research explored the relationship between dog ownership and dog-related, social environmental and physical environmental factors associated with walking with a dog.


METHODS
Seven focus groups with dog owners (n=51) were conducted. A pre-determined discussion guide was used and transcripts were analysed as group data, using content analysis to identify common themes.


RESULTS
Many of the physical environmental barriers and facilitators that influenced dog owners to walk were similar to those found in the literature for general walking. However, a number of key motivators for walking, specific to dog owners, were identified. Dog owners reported that their dog was a strong source of motivation, companionship and social support that encouraged them to walk with their dog. The availability and accessibility of public open space (POS) for dogs and the provision of dog-related infrastructure within POS were also important environmental factors that affected whether owners walked with their dog.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from this qualitative study were used to develop the Dogs and Physical Activity (DAPA) tool which is now being used to measure the walking behaviour of dog owners.
Cutt
Hayley E
HE
School of Population Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley. hayley.cutt@uwa.edu.au
Giles-Corti
Billie
B
Wood
Lisa J
LJ
Knuiman
Matthew W
MW
Burke
Valerie
V
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D004779:Environment Design; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D001841:Human-Animal Bond; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D011633:Public Facilities; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D016138:Walking; D014904:Western Australia