The dogs are a friendly bunch so be friendly with the dogs.

Podha is a polish tatra sheepdog he has been here the longest and his job is to guard the property. He is getting old, a little deaf and blind.

He may be a little enthusiastic sometimes when playing and wanting to put your hand in his mouth, you can let him know if you don't like this by saying „nein“ and pulling your hand towards your body. He is only playing.

If you are approaching the dog while he is sleeping make sure he knows that you are there, calling his name or make a noise before you get close to avoid startling him. If for any reason the dog is being aggressive do not approach him. In the worse case scenario do not run, call his name and tell him that everything is ok. “Alles gut!”.

He likes to be brushed and cuddled - it's also a good technique to make friends with him and especially if you are afraid of him you should let us know immediately so that we can introduce you and guide you to overcome your fear. It's also good to stroke him and tell him what a good boy he is.

If you go out of the gate please make sure that the dog doesn't go out with you, ensure the gate is closed behind you properly before you walk away. He is not allowed in the house or in any of the buildings, he knows this and will respond accordingly when you tell him to go out.

Commands he responds to include:

• sitz = sit
• platz = lay down
• raus = go out
• warte = wait
• nein = no

If you feel comfortable with the dog and would like to walk him:

1. always ask Gert first
2. always put him on the lead (can be the long lead)
3. walk towards Blandikow (avoid 2 big dogs that are in the other directions)
4. he likes to swim or drink from the creek on the way back (here he can go without the lead)

Black is a mixed breed cross something between a labrador and a hunting dog. He is a rescued stray, that is friendly with people he knows but diffident of people that are new.

When you get to know him better he may be a little enthusiastic and jumps up to greet you, if you don't like this you can say “no”. He is only playing.

When he gets to know you better he likes to be petted and cuddled. If the dog tries to avoid you that is because he is still afraid of you, don't try to force a friendship he will come to you when he is ready. It's also good to stroke him and tell him what a good boy he is when he is friendly with you already.

If you go out of the gate please make sure that the dog doesn't go out with you, ensure the gate is closed behind you properly before you walk away. He is not allowed in the house or in any of the buildings, he knows this and will respond accordingly when you tell him to go out.

Commands he responds to include:

• sit
• stay
• barra = out
• wait
• slowly
• walk (avoid this word in front of him unless you are actually taking him for a walk)
• no
• ersaq = get out of the way
• lie down

If you feel comfortable with the dog and would like to walk him:

1. always ask Aimee first
2. check that the harness is put on properly, ie the middle part should be in the middle if this isn't the case take the harness off and put it back on
3. always put him on the lead (can be the long lead)- the lead should be attached to the harness and not the collar
4. walk towards Blandikow (avoid 2 big dogs that are in the other directions)
5. he likes to swim or drink from the creek on the way back (here he can go without the lead)
6. he pulls, when he does that stop and tell him “no”, make sure you give him time to sniff the trees and pee etc. be patient

Moomoo is the youngest of the pack, he is very friendly and very playful. He is a cross breed of pointers probably involving a german shorthaired pointer. He is breed to be obedient, energetic and fast to hunt.

When you get to know him better he may be a little enthusiastic and jumps up to greet you, if you don't like this you can say “no”. He is only playing.

When he gets to know you better he likes to be petted and cuddled and he absolutely loves to run after anything that flies so throwing his ball around would make him happy. It's also good to stroke him and tell him what a good boy he is. He tends to feel the cold more because of his short fur, if you see him sitting on the chair cover him with a blanket.

If you go out of the gate please make sure that the dog doesn't go out with you, ensure the gate is closed behind you properly before you walk away. He is not allowed in the house or in any of the buildings, he knows this and will respond accordingly when you tell him to go out.

Commands he responds to include:

• sit
• stay
• barra = out
• wait
• slowly
• walk (avoid this word in front of him unless you are actually taking him for a walk)
• no
• ersaq = get out of the way

If you feel comfortable with the dog and would like to walk him:

1. always ask Aimee first
2. check that the harness is put on properly, ie the middle part should be in the middle if this isn't the case take the harness off and put it back on
3. doesn't need to on the lead but you should take it with you just in case you need to (can be the long lead)- the lead should be attached to the harness and not the collar! IMP
4. walk towards Blandikow (avoid 2 big dogs that are in the other directions)
5. he likes to swim or drink from the creek on the way back (here he can go without the lead)
6. he pulls, when he does that stop and tell him “no”, make sure you give him time to sniff the trees and pee etc. be patient

If there are 3 people willing to walk the dogs then you should know that Podha should go on the long lead and Black should go on short lead whilst Moomoo can go without the lead, all dogs pull, you need to be patient and strong. If they pull you have to stop and correct the behaviour.

Walk towards Blandikow (avoid 2 big dogs that are in the other directions), if you see other dogs on the way avoid contact and walk in the other direction. If you see deer also avoid as the dogs will want to chase after them.

In all cases if you walk in the forest please keep the dogs on the lead at all times as there is a fine for walking the dogs there without a lead.

When a car is coming stop and call the dogs next to you, wait until the car has passed and then you can start walking again.

Give the dogs enough time to sniff, poop and dig, they love that.

Very important: Every day exchange the water in the water buckets next to the staircase. In the summer fill up with fresh water from the tap room behind the chicken coop and in the winter from the hot water tap in the kitchen.

The dogs eat in the morning, Podha and Black eat from a large white metal bowl which should be filled c. 2/3 full which should be placed by the wood shelter gate. Moomoo gets a small blue plastic bowl which is filled all the way up and should be placed in the Vorbau.

Mondays the dogs can have one can of wet food mixed with garlic pieces. Wednesday add an egg for each dog to the dry food including the egg shell.

The dog food is in the tap room behind the chicken coop.

The dogs (like the Chickens & Ducks) only get their food for a 1/2 hour and then the food is taken away. This attempts to alleviate conflict between the dogs and reduce pest presence in the yard.

• The dogs' food containers should both be put in the blue dog food barrels in the outside tap room (where hoses come from in the yard).
• The Chicken/Ducks' food container should go in the automated feeder box in the wood shelter. It is an unpainted sheet metal box with a lid and foot pedal

If you would like to give the dogs a treat please do so as part of a training exercise ie ask the dogs to sit and lie down.

The treats are in the food containers.

Occasionally dogs fight (just like people), if you hear the dogs being aggressive and Franz and Aimee aren't around the safest way to break up the fight is to stay out of it.

If they start the aggressive behaviour around you move away from them.

Never get in between the dogs whilst they are fighting, it is dangerous and you will get bitten.

After the fight is over and everyone is friends again check the dogs for injury and administer first aid if needed. Sometimes they have small cuts, clean the wound and spray with antiseptic (this is in the first aid kit in the bathroom).

If the injury is more serious then a vet may need to be called, but this is unlikely.

Monitor the situation in case the fight is reignited. Most fights start quickly and end just as quick. If the dogs continue fighting on and off they may need to be separated but this should be the last resort. Always try to identify the cause of the fight, for example if they are fighting over one treat give them all one.