Consideration in the forest. Why dogs must now be kept on a leash
There is hardly anything more exciting for your darling than a walk in the woods. The many smells and sounds and perhaps even previously unknown terrain make the walk a real adventure. But unfortunately the fun is not unclouded, because spring is also the time for young animals and pregnant animals. And special consideration must be given to them. In some federal states, dogs must even be kept on a leash.
But even where there is no leash requirement, you must now exercise particular caution and keep your dog on a (long) leash in the forest from April to mid-July so that it does not chase wild animals. Even dogs that show no hunting instinct should not be allowed to leave the forest paths.
In March and April, pregnant deer are out and about in the forest. Their movement is very limited and they can hardly escape from a dog. In May and June, fawns are born. When their mother goes out to look for food, they are left at the edge of the forest or meadow and later picked up again. Such a young animal has no chance against a dog: fawns duck instead of fleeing and are therefore easy prey for four-legged friends. But even if your furry friend has no "bad intentions", even a light touch of the fawn could cause drama. The strange smell irritates the mother and can result in her leaving her offspring behind.
Your dog will not normally catch a healthy, fully grown rabbit. However, it is not OK to let a dog chase the animals: The rabbit is scared to death during this chase and uses up valuable reserves of energy in the attempt to flee. Young rabbits that are born in spring have an even worse fate. They are not as fast or as clever as adult rabbits and are therefore easily killed by dogs.
Even if you are sure that your darling would "never hunt", the smell of a wild animal has often led even the best-trained dog astray and turned them into hunters. If in doubt, it is better to put your dog on a long leash. You can find our great leashes in different lengths and colors in our shop.
