Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
Traditional Trail Making Test Modified into Brand-new Assessment Tools: Digital and Walking Trail Making Test
Published on: November 23, 2019
Development and psychometric testing of the Dogs and WalkinG Survey (DAWGS)
Elizabeth A Richards1, Meghan H McDonough2, Nancy E Edwards2
1School of Nursing, Purdue University, 502 N. University Street, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA. erichards@purdue.edu
Purpose:
Dog owners represent 40% of the population, a promising audience to increase population levels of physical activity. The purpose of this study was to develop and test the psychometric properties of a new instrument to assess social-cognitive theory constructs related to dog walking.
Method:
Dog owners (N = 431) completed the Dogs and WalkinG Survey (DAWGS). Survey items assessed dog-walking behaviors and self-efficacy, social support, outcome expectations, and outcome expectancies for dog walking. Test-retest reliability was assessed among 252 (58%) survey respondents who completed the survey twice. Factorial validity and factorial invariance by age and walking level were tested using confirmatory factor analysis.
Results:
DAWGS items demonstrated moderate test-retest reliability (p = .39-.79; k = .41-.89). Acceptable model fit was found for all subscales. All subscales were invariant by age and walking level, except self-efficacy, which showed mixed evidence of invariance.
Conclusions:
The DAWGS is a psychometrically sound instrument for examining individual and interpersonal correlates of dog walking.
