Does Purposeful Dog Training Relate To Human-dog Physical Activity, Fitness And Dog Cognition?

PURPOSE: A dog companion has benefits for physical activity for the human and dog. People purposefully train their dogs which may improve dog cognition. It is unknown if human or dog fitness is impacted by training. We hypothesize that higher training volumes will correlate with better human and dog physical activity, fitness and dog cognition. METHODS: We recruited dogs and their human companions for testing. 13 humans (age: 42 ± 18 years;1 M/12F) were tested for fitness (6 minute walk, chair stand, handgrip test) and asked a questionnaire about physical activity with their dog and the Dog Executive Function Scale (DEFS). Training volume calculation included formal training and sport involvement. Dogs (N = 19; age: 4 ± 3 years; 10 M/9F) were also tested for fitness (percent fat, back up, squat progression test) and cognition (object choice, unsolvable task). We analyzed data using Pearson product moment correlation and general linear model analysis (human fitness, physical activity = Training volume + b)(Dog fitness, cognitive, DEFS = Training volume + b). RESULTS: We found that training volume correlated with reported vigorous exercise (total kcal/wk; R = -0.54, p = 0.03) and the DEFS score (R = 0.56, p = 0.02). Training volume also had a significant main effect on DEFS (F = 6; p = 0.03) and Vigorous exercise (F = 6, p = 0.03). DEFS score was also related to the unsolvable task time looking at owner (% time; R = 0.51, p = 0.03). Walking with dog (min/wk) was correlated with the 6 min walk test distance (meters; R = 0.48, p = 0.04), the chair stand test (reps; R = 0.47, p = 0.04) and the dog back up test (feet; R = 0.49, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: We found that training volume related to higher reported vigorous activity (human and dog) and higher executive function for the dog. However, training volume did not correlate with dog or human fitness. Walking with the dog was related to the 6 min walk test and the human chair stand test and the dog back up test, suggesting that walking with the dog can impact human and dog fitness.