Hiking with your dog

The Wanderhotel Vinschgerhof is a dog-friendly place where four-legged friends are welcomed with open arms. What could be more enjoyable and fulfilling for a dog than a hiking vacation in South Tyrol? Find out here why you and your dog can enjoy the perfect hiking vacation in the Alps here.

Happy dog - happy person

As loving dog owners, we at the South Tyrolean Wanderhotel Vinschgerhof understand the joys—but also the worries—of humans and dogs. The hotel is a place of canine delight, where four-legged friends are not simply tolerated, but welcomed with open arms. What could be more wonderful and fitting for a dog than a hiking vacation in the Alps?

Dog-friendly guided hikes, walking areas, a section of the dining room open to dogs, a fenced-in dog playground, and dog-sitting services—these are just a few of the highlights of your hiking vacation with your dog at the Vinschgerhof.

And the best part? A real dog whisperer is available on site upon request.

Hiking with your dog — © Wanderhotel Vinschgerhof

Of course you can live without a dog—it's just not worth it!

Inge

Your hostess at the Vinschgerhof Wanderhotel

Need a dog whisperer?

At the Vinschgerhof, they know that things don't always run smoothly with dogs—and that's where training with the competent and experienced dog whisperer Lou can be a real blessing. "Dog training is a bit like couples therapy," laughs the hotel's hostess. She is delighted to be able to offer her guests individual training with Lou from March to the end of May and from October to January on request. Lou spends the summer months in Switzerland on an alpine pasture – surrounded by animals, of course. In just one training session, he can solve human-dog relationship problems in the long term. Even if you and your dog get along great, an hour with Lou can help you understand your pet better. It's certainly exciting and definitely worthwhile. And hiking with your dog will be much easier afterwards.

Me and my dog, or rather my dog and me?

"It doesn't take many words to build a trusting relationship between humans and dogs," says South Tyrolean dog whisperer Lou, speaking from years of experience. Harmonious interaction with a four-legged friend requires above all consistency and assertiveness – just like raising children. But like children, dogs simply "can't follow." Children cry or argue, dogs bare their teeth, run away, jump up, and do all sorts of things other than what we want them to do—until we give up in resignation or shout angrily.

This is not about "good" or "bad" dogs, but about misunderstandings and a lack of empathy on the part of humans. We often misinterpret the dog's language and behave incorrectly as a result, which in turn confuses the dog and leads to inappropriate behavior on its part.

Example of a misunderstanding between humans & dogs

A dog freaks out every time other dogs approach. This causes stress and anxiety for the owner. Even before the situation actually arises, the owner becomes tense. The human body releases adrenaline. It has been scientifically proven that dogs can smell this. This smell puts the animal in a stressful situation, as it interprets the human stress as fear of the other dogs. It wants to defend its human from the other four-legged friends. So what does the dog do? It aggressively attacks the others—with the best of intentions. And we don't understand it.

So what can you do to improve this situation? Lou has the answer: there is a simple yoga exercise that involves taking three deep breaths in and out. This immediately relaxes the body. The dog senses this and relaxes too. It signals that there is "no danger." Incidentally, yawning in dogs has a very similar effect: it reduces stress, not fatigue as we humans interpret it. Of course, all this takes a little practice, but step by step, dogs and humans can learn to trust each other in difficult situations, with the result that the dog "follows." Interesting, isn't it? No shouting or scolding, just breathing.

When people come to Lou with their dogs, he gets the four-legged friends to follow him within five minutes. "I do the real work with the people. They can learn to understand their animals better with me. That often requires more sensitivity than working with the dog," he smiles.

In the Vinschgau, there are many beautiful lakes and streams where your four-legged friend can cool off on a dog-friendly holiday.

Small mountain lake on an alpine pasture during a hiking holiday with your dog in South Tyrol.

A hiking holiday with your dog is best spent at the Wanderhotel Vinschgerhof – the ultimate dog expert

Dog bathing in the trough during a hiking holiday in South Tyrol.

In the South Tyrolean Vinschgau, many paths are perfect for hiking with your dog.

Highlights of hiking with your dog

The Wanderhotel Vinschgerhof offers a well-designed "furry friend service" for a successful vacation for both humans and dogs: everything has been thought of, from walking trails directly from the hotel to refrigeration facilities for food you bring with you and a fenced-in meadow for romping around. And, of course, very importantly: hiking with your dog in the mountains of South Tyrol.

The guided sunrise hike with dogs is particularly popular. Numerous other dog-friendly hikes have been tried and tested and can be enjoyed together, or the team at the Vinschgerhof will be happy to provide advice and assistance if you want to set off on your own. In short: hiking with dogs here means a relaxing vacation for everyone!