How to defend dog against coyote?
Coyotes have been spotted in my neighborhood. How does one defend a dog?
2 Answers
A city gov't. office distributed a Coyote Hazing Field Guide, published at http://projectcoyote.org/resources.html that can be printed, but apparently can't be attached here. I'll summarize the highlights: The tips on hazing a coyote to stay away include: not during Marcy to July and if you may be near a den (in that case pick up dog and calmly leave, don't run and don't haze if coyote a safe distance away) Hazing is accomplished by acting "Big, Bad, and Loud" Make/keep eye contact, wave arms/stick or jacket over your head, jump up and down, yell, throw object toward Not At coyote until coyote leaves. Noise makers to use: voice, whistle, bell, pot/pan lids, can filled w/pennies& aluminum foil, slapping a newspaper. Surprises to use: Pop open umbrella, motion activated lights or sprinklers, garden hose, super soaker gun filled w/vinegar water.
I have a small pepper spray on my key chain in case one ever came within 12 feet. I've read about bear spray available at amazon has a longer range. So far, I've come close but a safe enough distance away on more than one occasion, picked up my small dog (and one time another small dog too) and calmly walked away.
Coyotes are unlikely to approach you if your dog is on leash by you. They don't want to fight; they'd rather go for an easy target. Avoiding walks at dusk/dawn will minimize your chances of encountering them. Don't let your dog out unsupervised. If you do encounter a coyote that approaches you, Deb's link has great options for dissuading it.
Comments
Agreed that the dog needs to be leashed. The publication mentioned that. I didn't because all dogs I care for are always leashed w/ me. For sure, coyotes prefer easy targets like that, but some places coyotes are now less fearful & approaching leashed pets and even people/kids inside their garages.