Dogs are Great Personal Trainers, Too

Dogs are more than furry bundles of love that like to run and play. New research shows that they can be great personal trainers, too.

British and Australian researchers reviewed more than 20 years of research and found "considerable evidence" that dog ownership is linked with higher levels of physical activity.

What was most striking was that owners who were more attached to their dogs were more likely to take them on walks, helping both man and his best friend stay fit, according to the study, published in the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.

But not all pups get to frequently stretch their paws - it's estimated that only 60 percent of dog owners regularly walk their dogs.

Dr. Carri Westgarth of the University of Liverpool, and lead author of the study, wanted to figure out how to motivate people to use dog walking as a form of exercise. People who worry about their pooches' behavior are less inclined to take it for a nice stroll in the park, she explains in a press release, but this only adds fuel to the fire, because "lack of walks may also be causing this bad behavior, due to boredom, frustration or lack of socialization."

The solution, in Westgarth's opinion, is a combination of factors. It includes more pet-friendly neighborhoods - equipped with off-leash and poo-disposal facilities - better education and improved relationships with pets.

Teaching owners the benefits of a 30-minute daily walk - in line with the American Heart Association guidelines for physical activity - is key.

That means healthier pets as well as healthier owners.

"If all people who owned a dog walked with it every day, physical activity levels would be much improved," Westgarth said, "benefiting the health of both the owners and their canine companions."