This should be considered when hiking with a dog in the Alps

Who meets with the dog on cows or herding dogs, should observe a few rules of conduct. The encounter can quickly get out of hand and the excursion in the mountains can be dangerous.

When the dog meets the cow

It's scary news like these, which still sound in the ears: In July 2014, a woman was hitchhiked to death by a herd of cows while hiking in the Stubai Valley, and in 2015 a tourist from Berlin was fatally injured while walking in Switzerland by grazing cattle. What both cases have in common? Both women had one or more dog ad: To the best dog products on OTTO.de

What makes dogs so threatening for cattle?

In the spring, the cows get their offspring and are therefore particularly concerned about the safety of their little ones. A dog is behaving in the same manner as a predator, posing a threat to the herd and especially to the young, both to the suckler cows and to the bulls. In addition, cows can not see very well at a distance and are more responsive to movement. If in doubt, they go so first in the direction of the potential threat. This is an impulsive behavior in suckler cows, the so-called protective instinct.

The three types of cattle herds

First of all, you should only be on signposted paths. Again, it may happen that the trail leads over an alpine pasture where cattle graze. That's why you should take a closer look at the herd. There are three types of cattle herds:

1. the suckler herd consisting of the dams and their calves. The kittens are curious, but with the moms is not to be joked. And if there are still bulls, you should be extra careful.

2. the herd of young animals. She is naturally curious and cocky. There may be uncontrolled movements during contact.

3. The cow herd, which consists of female terns, which are milked regularly. These cows are used to human contact, but of course, cattle are also individuals that react to the different situations in very different ways.

That's why you should not get too close to grazing animals and above all do not feed the calves.Display: Do not stroke the best dog products on OTTO.de [powered by kontextR] by any means. This can lead to misunderstandings and become unpleasant not only for you, but also for the hikers who come after you.

The threatening behavior of cattle

Unconditional caution is advised when the cattle start to fix you and your dog and raise and lower the head. The animals go to their knees and snort loudly. So they try to smell more intense, because they see relatively bad. Individual cattle then usually take slow steps in their direction, before they start running.

This is how you behave properly

Take your dog indicator: Leash directly for purchase on Amazon and take it to the side facing away from the cattle. Go calm and determined past the cattle, but please do not run!

Whether you wear a red T-shirt or the dog a red cloth, the animals do not care. That the color makes red cattle aggressive is a myth! The animals are more likely to respond to fast movements, so they are more likely to lure them with a lot of wave than to startle them.

Do not turn your back on free-roaming cattle, always keep an eye on them. But do not look straight in the eyes. If the behavior then turns into aggression, you are the best off your dog, difficult as it is! He is faster without you and can evade attacks much better than you. The attention of the cattle is then directed to the dog and you can leave the danger area calmly and quickly.

For the ultimate emergency

Only in an absolute emergency do you give the cattle a targeted blow on the nose with a stick. But only if there is no other possibility. Again, do not run! Slowly and steadily leave the danger area and do not turn your back on the animals.

Not only free-roaming cattle pose a potential danger to you and your dog, even to herd-guard dogs, who take their job very seriously, and that is just the defense against strangers. In Switzerland alone around 200 herd guards provide their service in the summer months.

Preferably Maremmanos or Pyrenean mountain dogs are trained for this demanding job. They have to act on their own, but they are usually well socialized enough to respond to hikers as well as to their peers. However, there are a few rules of the game that you should keep in mind when you meet a herd dog.

Behavior Knigge

If you enter open pasture area, slow down your pace and talk quietly a little louder, so you do not surprise the dogs. Be sure to keep calm even if the herdsman barks at you first. Keep your own dog on a leash and deal with the flock over a wide area.

Avoid looking the excited guard dog directly in the eye. If all else fails, shield yourself with a stick that you tilt diagonally down towards the attacking dog. Please do not raise the stick, wring it around or scream around. This provokes the dogs only. Better go backwards to make a clear signal that you are withdrawing.

If you follow these tips, nothing stands in the way of a successful hiking adventure with a dog and harmonious animal encounters.