Versa pedometer not working properly

[Amazondoc]

I've had my new Versa for just a few days, but I can already see that the pedometer is going to be useless for counting steps during everyday activities. For instance, I can easily earn a couple of hundred "steps" just by vigorously scratching my cat or dog, while I get no credit at all for pushing a shopping cart all over the grocery store (I actually watched as I earned zero steps while walking down an entire aisle of the store).

I almost always have my iPhone in my pocket, so I can count steps that way if I turn off the Versa's pedometer. And I know I could manually add steps to the Versa. But is there any way to automatically sync steps from the phone to the Versa, if the Versa is not counting steps itself?

Moderator edit: subject updated for clarity

[dkeary]

I think if you are pushing a cart with both hands on the cart then the versa won't track steps as your arm is stationary.  

[Amazondoc]

RIght -- that's the problem. Since the motion sensor relies on arm movement rather than leg movement, it's fooled by things like scratching the cat or holding onto the cart while walking.

But do you have any suggestions about a solution? Do you know if the Versa can be synced with the phone's pedometer if I turn off the Versa's pedometer?