A well-coordinated team on the mountain pasture
If, like me, you don't have a dog and therefore don't know how to handle the animal, you can't give any practical tips. That's why I met up with Sonja Oberhuber on a Carinthian mountain pasture to ask her about what you should bear in mind with a dog on a mountain pasture so that everyone is happy: Alpine hut holidaymakers, i.e. dog owners, mountain and Alpine hikers, Alpine hut managers, the Alpine hut landlords, the cows and their calves, the free-roaming animals on the Alpine pasture and, finally, dogless guests.
Sonja's family dog is a Border Collie, which is a sheepdog by nature and which she can look after well at home in a large house with a large garden. So my first question to her was: "Do you and your family always take the dog with you on your sometimes extensive mountain and alpine hikes, but also on alpine hut vacations?"
Without giving it much thought, she says: "Yes, actually. It's only when I know there are going to be climbing sections that he stays at home. That's not for him. But I also have to think about how long he can be at home alone. We're already very well attuned to each other, so it's good for everyone on the mountain."
What is the prerequisite for something like this to work smoothly? Sonja says: "Of course, it takes a few things. Firstly, humans and animals have to master some basic commands, because without discipline nothing works. Then I need to know what I can expect my pet to do. The paths have to be "dog-friendly", for example without climbing sections. By the way: beware of information about paths suitable for dogs, especially from people without dogs. I also need to know how long I can take my dog with me, as dogs are known to sleep a lot. I have to plan enough long rests. By observing my companion closely, I can learn a lot so as not to overtax him. Over time, you become a good hiking team, so to speak."
My dog (not) alone on the mountain pasture
And what do you think about the general recommendations, not to say regulations, on the subject of dogs and mountain pastures? Sonja is very insightful: "These rules of conduct make a lot of sense, especially when it comes to grazing livestock. Incidentally, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Tourism provides valuable official tips on this at sichere-almen.at. I keep my dog on a lead, of course, although a proper chest harness with a handle is certainly the most comfortable. If there is nothing human and/or animal to be seen far and wide, I let him loose for a bit. However, if there is the slightest doubt, he always stays on the lead. Otherwise, as many examples show, it can be very bad for animals, people and mountain pastures."
And because we're talking about bad: What do you do with the dog waste? "I ALWAYS have enough biodegradable dog waste bags and a foldable metal scoop with me. I use it to dig a suitable, not too small hole in an inconspicuous place - not in the middle of the meadow - put the used bag in it and close the hole again." Pretty complicated, isn't it? "No, not at all, it's really quick. Firstly, the utensils aren't heavy and secondly, I'm not endangering any grazing animals on the mountain pasture, because dog excrement on the grass can seriously affect their health." We also take this opportunity to talk about human excrement. "The same applies here," says Sonja, "except that the toilet paper also has to go in the hole." Sonja has seen this procedure in the desert in the USA and I have seen it in Mongolia, and it worked perfectly on both continents. By the way: Dog waste bags at the hut should be collected and then put in the residual waste, as long as this is provided for at the respective hut. Please just ask.
Now it's off to the alpine hut
And what do you take with you to the mountain hut for your dog? Sonja lists: "The usual dog bed, enough of the usual food, water and food bowl, treats, enough walking bags, not too few dog toys so that no dog damages walls or furniture - which, by the way, could have to do with a mineral deficiency in the dog." I would add: If your dog moves around in front of the hut, a long lead makes a lot of sense. I've seen this at many mountain huts and the animals get used to it very quickly. Even a fence doesn't stop many dogs from simply disappearing. A runaway dog on the mountain pasture can be very nerve-wracking.
And what does Sonja think of the fact that she has to pay a dog boarding fee for her dog's stay in the mountain hut? She says: "Yes, that's fine as long as it's within reasonable limits, because what costs nothing is probably worth nothing. This also documents the fact that my dog is a living being in its own right and should feel comfortable in the mountain hut. In return, however, I can also demand that certain things are available for my dog, such as his own hard-wearing towels or possibly food and water containers."
Which brings us to the golden tip!
When renting a hut, clarify whether dogs can be brought along at all. This is possible in most cabins. Don't conceal the size of your dog either, as a large animal can become a problem in very small cabins. And be honest about the number of animals you have, because I have seen dog owners arrive with five unannounced animals. This is simply unfair to the owner of the hut, but also to the dogs. Also make sure you clarify what is available for your dog in the hut. If you keep all this in mind, your stay at the mountain hut during the most beautiful time of the year will be pure joy for both humans and animals.
Notburga Samrock
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