How to Protect Your Dog from Coyotes: 7 Tips and More!
According to National Geographic, coyotes once limited to open prairies and deserts are today found over most of North America including cities, forests and mountains.
Learn how to protect your dog from coyotes below.
Meet the Coyote: 101
Courtesy: Rene Rauschenberger / Pixabay
The coyote is a canine species (Canis latrans) native to North America. But this is one “dog” you don’t want your dog to play with!
Coyotes (also called prairie wolves or brush wolves, despite being smaller than wolves) are always roaming up to several miles each day. Typically, a family of coyotes defends a territory of 3-18 square miles. However, depending upon food availability, they may hunt a larger range if necessary.
While agile on both land and water, most coyotes are poor climbers.
Courtesy: Edo Emmerig / Pixabay
In the fall and winter, coyotes form packs for better hunting. So, if you see one coyote during the fall or winter, there may be more watching out of sight.
With coyote populations on the rise, all pet owners need to learn how to co-exist with these creatures. Keep reading to learn 7 tips for dealing with a coyote when walking a dog.
Meet a Coyote During a Dog Walk? Use these 7 Tips!
1. Know whether coyotes are prone in the areas you live, hike and walk your dog. Always stay alert and aware of your surroundings and know how to deter coyotes while walking a dog.
2. Avoid walking during sunrise and sunset when coyotes are the most
Edit Image
Courtesy: Luca Gironi / Pixabay
active. Also, avoid coyote areas during breeding and pupping season!
3. Always keep your dog on a leash to prevent them from running after the coyote especially if coyotes are known to frequent the area.
4. Never allow your dog to chase a
coyote; coyotes view the chase
as a part of hunting.
5. Your dog will pick up the scent of a coyote long before you see it. So stay alert to your dog’s behaviors, especially:
o Raised hackles (in response to the scent).
o Distressed or protective body language.
o Barking (telling the coyote to keep its distance).
By understanding your dog’s body language, you can immediately discourage your dog’s interaction, communication and potential escalation with the coyote.
6. Most coyotes will be scared off by the presence of a human. But some
Edit Image
may be bolder and brazen. If this is the case, use these tips below:
o Stay calm and stand still and tall raising your arms to look bigger.
o Maintain eye contact with the coyote.
o If you are walking with a child or small dog, pick them up immediately!
o Slowly back away leaving the area.
NEVER run from a coyote! Coyotes can run up to 40 miles an hour and running may trigger the coyote’s predatory instinct with unwanted consequences.
o Scare or threaten a lingering coyote with:
- Whistles or bells.
- A noisemaker or pet corrector horn.
- An air horn.
- Shaking a can with rocks.
- Stomping your feet.
- Jingling keys.
- You can also shout, but do not scream to prevent triggering a predatory response from the coyote.
If you live in a coyote-prone area, always carry one (or more) of the items mentioned above to be prepared if – and when – you come across a coyote.
7. In the rare case a coyote continues to approach you, throw rocks, sticks, clumps of dirt or tennis balls near them, but do not hit the coyote!
Learn other ways to deter coyotes near your home, farm or neighborhood from TheBark.com.
Learn other ways to deter coyotes near your home, farm or neighborhood from TheBark.com.
https://thebark.com/content/what-do-if-you-see-coyotes-while-walking-your-dog
Your best protection against a coyote is keeping your dog under leash
and voice command!
Do not wait until something happens!
Let East Valley K9 Services help you effectively train your dog to be under leash control and voice commands to keep them protected
no matter the threat.
Check out our Dog Training & Puppy Training Classes near Phoenix and Register Today!
Call 480-382-0144 or send us an email to schedule.
Serving Chandler, Gilbert, Tempe and East Valley areas of Arizona.
