Have you been eyeing the pooches at the pound? Here's something that might sway your decision: A four-legged friend may help you do more walking.

Dog owners may walk as much as two hours more a week than people without a furry friend. Makes sense. When Fido needs to get out and stretch his legs, he lets you know, and on go your walking shoes. Can't have a dog? Here's another way to get walking. 

Staying Fit with Fido

Are you a dog lover? Find out how healthy your pooch is with the DogAge Test. Can't have a dog? Walk a friend's dog, or volunteer to walk dogs at the local animal shelter. The bonus: Furry friends are natural stress reducers. Read up on how animals can help people relax.

Contingency Plans

Of course, if you're not an animal lover, having a pet you don't like isn't a boon to your stress-less plans. But not to worry. There are plenty of other ways to motivate yourself to walk more:

1.  Make a walking date with a friend (It's much harder to talk yourself out of it once you've committed to someone else.)

2.  Find a virtual exercise buddy on the RealAge community boards, and report your walking activities to him or her each day.

3.  Splurge on a virtual trainer. They've now got wristwatch-sized GPS devices that do everything from measuring speed, distance, calories burned, and heart rate to letting you know when your pace has slacked off.

4.  Register for a charity walk.

5.  Remind yourself of the benefits. Here are five ways walking makes you healthier.

Source:  RealAge.com