Hiking through pastures

If possible, keep your distance so as not to unsettle the cattle. In any case, move calmly past the animals. Cattle have an individual zone, similar to the natural distance zone in humans. If this zone is exceeded, the animals may feel harassed. An attack on humans usually serves to protect themselves, the herd and, above all, the young animals.

Mother cows always keep an eye on their calves and can react aggressively if there are any disagreements. You should therefore not approach the calves and never touch them. Cows want to protect their offspring from danger and do not like strangers touching their calves. However, calves often lie hidden away from the herd.

Tiens ton chien en laisse, évite de déranger le troupeau et essaie de le contourner le plus largement possible. Évite le contact direct avec le troupeau. Les bovins perçoivent ton chien comme un prédateur potentiel et tentent de protéger leur troupeau.

If you enter an area with herd protection on a hike or bike tour, the following behaviour is generally recommended:

• Take behavioural tips seriously

• Slow down

• Do not startle animals

• Do not surprise dogs, but draw attention to yourself by speaking loudly

• Get off your bike

• Stand still and give the dog time to assess the situation (do not look directly at the dogs, do not touch them, do not speak directly to them).

• Keep your distance from the herd.

• Do not provoke dogs: no raised sticks, no flailing around, no shouting at them.

• If necessary, keep dogs at a distance with the stick held at an angle and calmly extended downwards.

• As soon as the dog has accepted your presence and has stopped barking, the walk can be continued slowly.

• Move backwards and retreat to a greater distance from the herd.

• Avoid eye contact.

• Avoid the herd or turn back.

• Anyone forcing their way through the herd despite clear warning signals from the livestock guarding dogs can, in the worst case, be bitten.