Effective Ways To Keep Your Dog Safe From Coyotes

This article shares  effective ways to keep your dog safe from coyotes.  February to March is coyote peak mating season. This means that Coyotes birth new pups in the spring and become especially protective over their den sites and family members.  As the weather becomes warmer, many pet owners flock to the outdoors with their pet companions, hitting up different trails and forested paths.  While out in nature coyote sightings are more common.  Although coyotes don’t normally attack humans and their dogs, it is still important to know effective ways to protect your dog from coyotes in case you become concerned for your safety.

 

I have adopted these techniques through my career as an Animal Protection Officer and found them very useful and effective.  Over the years I have discovered many abandoned coyote den sites.  These dens would always contain dozens of dog collars and skeletal remains of smaller type dogs.  I want to share these techniques so that you don’t ever lose your dog to a hungry coyote.

 

 

Leash-Up

 

The most effective way to keep your dog safe from coyotes is to keep the leash on during walks.

According to Coyote Watch Canada “92% of conflict situations between wildlife and domestic dogs occur when dogs are off-leash.” If you see a coyote in the area and your dog is off leash, immediately leash up your dog. Small dogs can be carried off by the Coyote and trust me, this happens in a blink of an eye.

Leashing your dog helps prevent negative encounters between our dogs and wildlife.  Dogs are members of the Canidae family.

This also includes wolves, foxes, coyotes, and jackals. All canids are curious, and domestic dogs are driven by instinct to explore and to kill wildlife.    Ever wonder why your dog can’t resist bolting after a squirrel?  Well, that’s why.  They are driven by their instinct to kill other wildlife.

 

Know Your Area

Most negative encounters between dogs and Coyotes occur near Coyote den sites. Coyotes are family-oriented animals and will do whatever it takes to protect their family and living area.  Get to know your local wildlife and frequent coyote spotting locations. Try to avoid these areas when walking your dog especially after sunset. Healthy Coyotes hunt at night.

 

Hazing Is One Of The Most Effective Ways To Keep Your Dog Safe From Coyotes

Hazing is the act of scaring /deterring a coyote from coming too close and possibly attacking.  We want to create a negative experience for the coyote so that they become less comfortable in residential areas.

 

Typically, Coyotes are reclusive animals. This means that they avoid humans. However, over time coyotes have adapted to urban and suburban environments making them less afraid of humans.  This is due to direct and indirect feeding of local wildlife.  As Coyotes become more comfortable in our neighborhoods and less afraid of humans, the threat of a negative occurrence increases.

 

When I was an Animal Protection Officer I would often get waved down by residents during my patrols.  Dog walkers tabled their concerns over local coyotes in the area often visiting neighboring yards. The residents expressed their fears and anxiety over the growing presence of coyotes in their areas.

 

 

This is what I told them.

 

The hippy in me told them that we must learn to live together and appreciate nature for all that it brings us.  The Officer in me educated the public on ways to create a negative experience for coyotes who overstep their boundaries.

If a coyote approaches to close or if you become scared, never run away from the coyote.  Their instinct is to chase/follow you. Instead, you can unleash the power of the black garbage bag.

 

If a coyote approaches you:

Unravel the garbage bag and hold it with both hands, one hand if your dog is leashed.

Shake the bag vigorously in the air causing the bag to fill up with air.  As you do this the bag should make a loud noise and appear much larger. This technique is proven to be very effective in protecting your dog from coyotes.  Hazing will scare away the coyote and create a negative human experience.  In most cases the coyotes run away quickly.

 

Practice this technique at home so that you can get the hang of it.  NEVER throw objects at coyotes to scare them away.  Not only is it illegal in most places around the world but you’re putting yourself at risk.  Throwing objects at coyotes can turn them from a curious creature to a vicious one.

 

 

Effective Ways To Keep Your Dog Safe From Coyotes At Home

 

Don’t Leave Food Outside

I’m not referring to your beautiful veggie and herb garden.  Coyotes like to visit residential yards. You can protect your dog from Coyotes by not leaving food outside.  Keep in mind that coyotes have a very strong sense of smell.  Any food left out will attract coyotes and all sorts of wildlife.  Keep your compost bin securely closed and keep garbage in a bin or a shed until its time to place it by the curb.

 

Fun Fact:

Despite popular belief, coyotes are family oriented and do not use their family members as bait or lure to attract other animals.  If a dog chases and harasses a coyote, the coyote will flee to the safety of family members. If the dog continues to pursue, the coyotes will defend their homes.

 

Keep Small Dogs Under Supervision

If coyote sightings are common in your area, it is important not to leave your furry friend unsupervised in the yard.  Coyotes can grab a small dog such a Yorkie and run off with it before you even notice. They are fast and quiet but most importantly very intelligent. Coyotes are able to make a careful and critical examination of your yard and any pets left outside.

 

Having a tall fence does help deter coyotes from encroaching into your yard however, if desperate enough coyotes are able to scale a 6 ft fence with ease.  I have personally witnessed this on several occasions when tracking coyotes.  Coyotes are able to scale tall fences even with a broken hind leg.

 

 

Talk Radio Works Well To Keep Coyotes Away

Another effective way to keep your dogs safe from coyotes is talk radio. Even though coyotes have become more comfortable around humans, they will still try to avoid them if they can.  If a coyote has a choice between entering a yard with humans or a yard without humans, they will always choose without.  Keeping a small radio on and tuned to a talk radio station will deter the coyote from entering your yards. This little trick works with all kinds of wildlife, including raccoons, Opossums and more.

 

We hope you found this article to be a helpful tool when looking for effective ways to keep your dog safe from coyotes.  Please do not resort to violent methods of dealing with coyotes.  If the coyotes become an out-of-control issue you should always contact your wildlife agency for further support.  If you trap a coyote (not recommended) please be sure to release it no more then 1 Mile away from where it was trapped.  As mentioned earlier, coyotes are family-oriented animals just trying to feed their pups.