8 Tips to Protect Dogs from Coyotes

It’s a topic that has been gathering a lot of attention recently in our area of Ontario, Canada. There has been a growing number of coyotes spotted in urban areas. Unfortunately, for our pets, this means that the risk is higher than ever of falling victim to a coyote attack.

As responsible pet owners, it’s our job to take steps to protect dogs from coyotes and prevent problems from happening.

Are Coyotes Dangerous to Dogs?

When it comes to coyotes and dogs, there are several risks that you should be concerned about. This includes not only the possibility that they may attack your pets but also the diseases and parasites that they may transmit.

If your dog is still a young puppy or a smaller dog breed, they will be at a greater risk than a large, healthy adult dog.

In the wild, coyotes feed on smaller animals like rabbits and squirrels. They don’t usually set out to attack and feed on pets, but small dogs and cats are easily mistaken for their usual prey. Altercations with coyotes and small dogs rarely end well.

But this doesn’t mean that larger dogs are completely safe. Medium and large breed dogs may be viewed as predators, competition, or even mates.

Will Coyotes Attack Dogs?

Coyotes don’t naturally seek out dogs to attack them. This means that most coyote attacks can be prevented.

The key to protecting our dogs is first to understand why attacks happen. This will allow you to focus on avoiding putting your dog into a situation where they could be at risk.

The dogs that are at the most significant risk of being attacked include:

• Small dogs
• Off-leash dogs
• Dogs that are chasing or running away
• Intact dogs and dogs in heat
• Dogs that are picking a fight with coyotes

In these cases, the coyotes are driven by clear biological triggers. They are hunting their prey, seeking a mate, or protecting themselves from potential danger.

8 Tips to Protect Your Dog from Coyotes

Always Supervise Dogs when Outdoors

Now that you have a better understanding of why a coyote may be put in a situation that leads to an attack, it is your job as a responsible dog owner to prevent these situations from happening.

The only way you can do this is by supervising your dog when they are outdoors.

Dogs left unsupervised will react to the arrival of a coyote in the way they best see fit. Unfortunately, this reaction could trigger a bigger problem. For example, if your dog starts to bark and growl, they may be seen as a predator.

This is especially important for those who tie their dogs up in the backyard. Should a dangerous situation occur, a dog that is chained can only move a limited distance to try to escape and save themselves from harm.

By supervising your dog, you are present and, therefore, able to react immediately if a coyote wanders into your yard.

Install Outdoor Lighting

For the most part, coyotes have no interest in being around people. They recognize that we are potentially dangerous and will do their best to avoid an interaction.

A simple way to incorporate coyote safety for dogs into your outdoor décor is to install more outdoor lighting. If you aren’t interested in leaving lights on for an extended time each night, a light with a motion detector is a great solution.

When the lights come on, any coyotes in the area will see your yard as a higher-risk space and are more likely to stick to the shadows in the surrounding area.

Surround Your Yard with Coyote-Proof Fencing

One of the more common mistakes that well-meaning dog owners make is trusting that standard backyard fencing will keep coyotes at bay. But most fences are nothing more than a minor convenience that coyotes can climb over or dig under to access the area they are interested in.

The fencing needs to protect dogs from coyotes needs to be:

• Minimum 6 feet tall or taller
• Buried at least 18 inches into the ground
• Includes coyote rollers or barbed wire on the top

Coyote rollers are rods that sit on the top of a fence and spin whenever a coyote tries to grab onto them, preventing them from climbing over. These are highly athletic animals and may even scale a 6-foot wall if given the opportunity.

Keep Your Yard Clean of Garbage and Waste

Most coyotes wandering through an urban area are actively searching for food. Leaving anything out that could give off an odour that may seem enticing or a sign that food is near is like putting out an open invitation to visit your yard.

This includes piles of yard waste, food scraps, household garbage, and even dog waste you haven’t picked up around the property.

If you live in a high-risk area or are concerned about coyotes having been spotted nearby, take some time to clean up your yard. If possible, store garbage in a sealed area like a shed or garage to keep the scent contained.

Avoid Overfilling Your Bird Feeder

Garbage isn’t the only thing that may attract coyotes to your yard.

When you overfill your bird feeder, it will inevitably lead to birdseed falling on the ground. You may be surprised to learn that coyotes will actually eat birdseed when they are hungry and desperate.

But more tempting than the birdseed is the other wildlife it will attract. Birds, squirrels, chipmunks, and other small creatures will come to that spot in your yard to collect this easy food. These animals are desired prey for coyotes.

When you fill your feeder, avoid filling it all the way to the top. It’s better to fill it ¾ of the way and fill it more frequently to avoid any problems.

Ensure your bird feeder is solid without any cracks or holes that can cause spillage over time.

Purchase a Coyote Vest

The fact that there may be coyotes in your area shouldn’t keep you from going out and enjoying the great outdoors with your dog. However, if you are walking or hiking in an area where you could run into a coyote, you may want to consider some added protection.

Coyote vests are puncture-resistant vests made from Kevlar or ballistic nylon that protect the areas of a dog’s body that a coyote is more likely to grab. This includes the neck, back, and sides.

In addition to the robust material, many also include spikes along these areas. This prevents the coyote from being able to reach to try to grab onto the dog in the first place. If they do somehow get past the spikes, the vest itself is still there for protection.  

Carry a Whistle or Other Noisemaker

Another great solution when deciding how to keep coyotes away from dogs is carrying something that will make noise. Coyotes are generally afraid of humans. Making a loud noise that alerts them of your presence will often be enough to send them in the opposite direction of your companion.

Some popular items used to scare off coyotes include:

• Whistle
• Bell
• Airhorn
• Shaker can

You can also use your voice to scare off coyotes nearby. Shout, yell, or talk loudly. When hiking through the bush in our area, we always speak out loud, even if we are alone and just talking loudly to our dogs.

Ensure Your Dog’s Vaccinations are Up to Date

Anytime your dog encounters wildlife, there is a risk that they could be exposed to something unwanted. This risk ranges from the annoyance of fleas and ticks to potentially fatal diseases like distemper.

Some parasites and diseases that your dog may be exposed to from a coyote encounter include:

• Ticks
• Fleas
• Mites
• Tapeworms
• Rabies
• Mange
• Canine Hepatitis
• Canine Distemper
• Tularemia

The best way to protect dogs from coyotes and the parasites or diseases they may carry is to ensure that your pet is up to date on all their vaccinations.

Contact your veterinarian if you’re concerned about your dog’s current vaccination status or when their next vaccination is due. They can consult your dog’s veterinary records and advise you of when an appointment should be made.

Do you live in an area where coyotes are present? If so, what steps do you take to protect dogs from coyotes and the dangers of an encounter?

Feature Image Credit: Harry Collins | Canva