Please follow these tips when entering the pastures. Do not leave the marked paths through the alpine pastures; stay on the hiking trail.
Herd protection dogs can offer livestock (sheep, goats, cattle) effective protection from wolves and bears. They protect their herds around the clock and in all weathers. The dogs are suspicious of anything unknown or disturbing and keep them away from the herd. If possible, find out in advance where herd protection dogs are being used.
As a rule, livestock guarding dogs are not dangerous to humans. However, when approaching a protected herd, it is essential to pay attention to any warning signals from the dogs and adapt your behaviour accordingly.
Stay calm and walk slowly
Get off your bike and push it
Keep as much distance as possible from the herd and do not frighten the animals
If you do not see any guard dogs, draw attention to yourself by speaking loudly
If livestock guarding dogs bark, run in your direction or block your path...
Stand still and give the dogs time to assess the situation
Do not shout at livestock guarding dogs
If you feel pressurised, avoid eye contact with the guard dog, but remain facing it
Only continue walking at a leisurely pace once the guard dogs have stopped barking and have accepted your presence
If the guard dogs do not calm down...
If necessary, keep the dogs at a distance, e.g. with walking sticks, by holding them at an angle downwards towards the dog.
Do not try to threaten the dogs with raised sticks
Increase the distance to the herd and retreat slowly.
Walk backwards if necessary
As soon as you are far enough away from the herd, the guard dogs will let you go unmolested
Avoid the herd as far as possible
If this is not possible or you feel unsafe, turn back
If you enter a protected herd with a dog
Keep your dog on a lead
Never attempt to cross a protected herd with a dog, but go well clear of the herd
If in doubt, turn back
