Twelve-Month Follow-Up of the Dogs, Physical Activity, and Walking (Dogs PAW) Intervention

Purpose: To examine the viability of dog walking as a physical activity (PA) intervention using social cognitive theory-based e-mail messages.  

Methods:Dog owners who reported little or no dog walking (n=49) were randomized into a control or intervention group. The intervention group received e-mails for 12 weeks targeting self-efficacy, social support, benefits/barriers to dog walking, and pet attachment. Regression models were used to: 1) examine significant differences between intervention and control groups across time and 2) examine if changes in theoretical constructs from baseline to post-intervention resulted in changes in dog walking.

Results: Compared to the control group, the intervention group significantly increased dog walking and maintained this increase at 12 month follow-up (80±134 vs 19±21 minutes/week). There were no significant changes in theoretical constructs in the control group. In the intervention group, social support and pet attachment significantly increased post-intervention and increases in self-efficacy (3 months; β=9.9±4.2), social support (6 months; β=19.3±9.5), and pet attachment (12 months; β=26.3±13.3) significantly increased weekly minutes of dog walking.

Conclusions: Results suggest this pilot intervention is a feasible strategy for promoting dog walking. Increasing self-efficacy for dog walking by fostering social support can promote initial increases in dog walking which can ultimately result in increased physical activity. Long-term increases in dog walking appear to be fostered by pet attachment. The dual-purpose nature of dog walking (good for both owner and dog) may facilitate PA adherence, particularly among owners who feel a sense of obligation and commitment to their dog’s health.