Dog walking: its association with physical activity guideline adherence and its correlates.
OBJECTIVE
We examined the prevalence and correlates of dog walking among dog owners, and whether dog walking is associated with meeting the American College of Sports Medicine/American Heart Association physical activity guidelines.


METHODS
In March 2008, we mailed a survey to dog-owning clients from two San Diego County veterinary clinics. Useable data were obtained from 984 respondents, and 75 of these completed retest surveys. We assessed associations between potential correlates and dog walking (i.e., yes/no dog walking for at least 10 min in past week).


RESULTS
Test-retest reliability of measures was generally high. Approximately one-third of the sample (31.5%) were not dog walkers. Proportions of dog walkers versus non-dog walkers meeting United States guidelines were 64.3% and 55.0%, respectively. Dog walking was independently associated with meeting guidelines in a multivariate model (odds ratio=1.59, p=0.004). Three variables were independently associated with dog walking in a multivariate model: dog encouragement of dog walking, dog-walking obligation, and dog-walking self-efficacy.


CONCLUSIONS
Dog walking was associated with meeting physical activity guidelines, making it a viable method for promoting physical activity. Dog-walking obligation and self-efficacy may be important mediators of dog walking and may need to be targeted if interventions are to be successful.
San Diego State University Graduate School of Public Health, 9245 Sky Park Court, Suite 220, San Diego, CA 92123, USA. Katherine.Hoerster@va.gov
Katherine D
KD
Hoerster
Joni A
JA
Mayer
James F
JF
Sallis
Nicole
N
Pizzi
Sandra
S
Talley
Latrice C
LC
Pichon
Dalila A
DA
Butler
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D002140:California; D004285:Dogs; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006293:Health Promotion; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D057805:Pets; D016138:Walking