Cross-sectional data from the TRavel, Environment, and Kids project (TREK)
was used. The research methodology for TREK is described fully elsewhere
. In 2007, 36 government primary schools in Perth,
Western Australia were invited to participate; 25 participated (69.4% response
rate (RR)). In each school, one class from each grade (years 5, 6, 7)was randomly
selected until at least 30 children per grade were recruited. In total, 1480 children
(57% RR) and 1314 of their parents (89% RR) participated. We analyzed
data for 727 (49%) children who had a family dog.