How might we increase physical activity through dog walking?: A comprehensive review of dog walking correlates

Table 2 Evidence of the DOG-RELATED (demographic and dog-owner relationship) correlates of dog walking

		Evidence of a positive association	Evidence of a negative association	No evidence of an association	Where some elements show evidence of a positive association but others no evidence of an association
Dog demographic	Number of dogs	34	16*, 103	40, 26, 25, 24
	Dog size	35, 102		27, 34, 24, 42, 39
	Dog type/breed	34		20
	Dogs age		36, 35, 20	26, 34	16*
	Dog sex			34, 20
	Dog neutered	103		34, 20
	Dogs health/ability	16*		26, 24
	Dog weight status**		20	25, 24
	Dog behaviour problems		37, 38, 39	24, 26
	Perceived exercise requirements	16*, 23, 40, 41		26
Dog-owner relationship	Dog attachment/interaction	23, 27		24
	Dog encourages/supports walking +companionship	16, 24, 25*, 26
	Dog obligation	16*, 26, 42
	Feelings of guilt	16*
	Perceived benefits dog health	16*, 41		24, 25, 26
	Perceived benefits dog behaviour	16*		24, 25
	Valuation of exercise for dog	41, 43
	Knowing dog enjoys going for a walk			24, 25

*qualitative evidence. For quantitative observational studies, bolded citation number = multivariable adjusted evidence or unbolded citation number = univariable evidence. **Studies specifically concerning dog obesity/weight status alone have been reported elsewhere so were excluded from the key studies review and treated as supplementary information.

ISSN: 1479-5868