A Community-based Social Networking Intervention to Increase Walking in Dog Owners

This is a group randomized trial where 8 communities in Worcester and Lowell (4 per city) will be randomly assigned to the 6-month dog walking intervention or a standard, self-help, print-based physical activity control condition. Dog owners (N=120; 15 per community) will be recruited. The intervention includes a social networking website, monthly newsletters, twice monthly neighborhood dog walks and community events. The intervention will: 1) educate owners about the benefits of dog walking to themselves and their dog, 2) teach strategies for regular dog walking, 3) teach dog walking tips and provide dog training seminars, 4) promote self-monitoring and goal setting for dog walking, 5) provide social networking opportunities for dog owners and 6) promote a sense of community via participation in neighborhood dog walks and community events. Intervention feasibility will be assessed by measures of implementation success, including recruitment and retention rates, website use, intervention satisfaction and attendance at neighborhood walks and community events. Initial efficacy will be assessed via change in weekly steps measured via a pedometer from baseline to 6-months after baseline.

Inclusion criteria

• Eligible participants will own a dog that is in good health and considered a household pet, be a Worcester or Lowell resident, be aged > 21 years old and have home internet access. Participants with cardiovascular disease, diabetes or other chronic health condition are eligible with permission from their PCP to participate.

Exclusion criteria

Participants will be excluded for any of the following:

• Inability or unwillingness to give informed consent
• Plans to move out of the area within the study period
• Participated in a focus group during the developmental phase
• Another household member is participating in the study
• Pregnant or planning a pregnancy in the next six months
• Condition that inhibits exercise (e.g., unable to walk unaided, or cannot walk 1/4 mile without stopping)
• Incapable of engaging in physical activity as assessed by the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire
• Self-report engaging in > 150 minutes of moderate and vigorous intensity physical activity per week.
• The participant's dog has a history of biting a human or has not received a rabies vaccination.