Dog walking may have multiple physical and mental health advantages, but not all dog owners appear to benefit. Dog health is a described barrier to dog walking activity, but specific causes and impacts of reduced exercise in owners of dogs with health problems have not previously been reported. The current study used a qualitative methodology to explore the impact of canine osteoarthritis on dog walking activity. Owners of dogs with osteoarthritis living in the United Kingdom (UK) were recruited through veterinary practices for semi-structured interview about life with an osteoarthritic dog. Participants were asked to reflect on walks that they had taken with their dog before he/she developed osteoarthritis, and to describe how those walks had changed. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was used to construct key themes. Forty owners of 35 osteoarthritic dogs were interviewed. Prior to their dog’s development of osteoarthritis, dog walking distance, speed and location were usually decided by the owner to satisfy the needs and enjoyment of dog and walker. A diagnosis of canine osteoarthritis led to both dogs and their owners altering the walks undertaken. Walks were typically slower, shorter and limited to locations where physical infrastructure, underfoot surface and gradients were perceived by the owner to be navigable by their dog. Most owners did not go on additional walks without their dog due to feelings of guilt and because walking without a dog was less enjoyable. Many owners described negative effects on their own physical health and diminished enjoyment of walking as a result of their dog’s condition. Our research suggests that osteoarthritic dogs may reduce the walking exercise their owners are able or willing to undertake. Since osteoarthritis is a common condition in older dogs, this is an important finding for those advocating dog ownership as a positive public health intervention. Strategies may be needed to ensure that owners of dogs that develop physical incapacities can continue to enjoy the health benefits they previously associated with dog walking. Future studies investigating dog walking activity should ensure that the health status of the dog has been considered.

中文翻译：

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更慢，更短，更悲伤：一项定性研究，探索当犬只参与者患上骨关节炎时狗走路的方式如何变化

walking狗可能具有多种身心健康优势，但并不是所有的owners养者都能从中受益。狗的健康被描述为阻碍狗行走活动的障碍，但是先前没有关于健康问题的狗的主人运动减少的具体原因和影响的报道。当前的研究使用定性方法来探讨犬骨关节炎对dog狗活动的影响。居住在英国（英国）的骨关节炎狗的主人是通过兽医实践招募的，以进行关于骨关节炎狗生活的半结构化访谈。要求参与者回顾他们在狗患骨关节炎之前与狗一起进行的散步，并描述这些散步如何改变。访谈逐字记录，主题分析用于构建关键主题。采访了35只骨关节炎犬的40位主人。在他们的狗患上骨关节炎之前，通常由主人决定狗的步行距离，速度和位置，以满足狗和学步车的需要和享受。犬骨关节炎的诊断导致狗及其主人改变了散步的路径。散步通常较慢，较短，并且仅限于主人认为狗可以驾驭身体基础设施，脚下地面和坡度的地方。由于有罪恶感，而且大多数人没有狗而没有其他的散步，所以没有狗的情况下，他们会感到不愉快。许多主人描述了由于狗的状况而对自己的身体健康造成不利影响并减少了散步的乐趣。我们的研究表明，骨关节炎犬可能会减少其主人能够或愿意进行的步行锻炼。由于骨关节炎是老年犬的常见病，因此对于那些提倡拥有犬只作为积极的公共卫生干预措施的人来说，这是一个重要发现。可能需要采取策略来确保那些身体残障的狗的主人能够继续享受以前与walking狗有关的健康益处。未来的调查狗步行活动的研究应确保已考虑到狗的健康状况。可能需要采取策略来确保那些身体残障的狗的主人能够继续享受以前与walking狗有关的健康益处。未来的调查狗步行活动的研究应确保已考虑到狗的健康状况。可能需要采取策略来确保那些身体残障的狗的主人能够继续享受以前与walking狗有关的健康益处。未来的调查狗步行活动的研究应确保已考虑到狗的健康状况。