Can a coyote hurt my black lab when he is in his kennel at night?

Question

I have a year old black lab mix out in his kennel, last night i heard a lot of barking coyotes near my house. Could they some how get in the kennel and hurt my dog? He is in a long kennel. The kennel isn't sitting on cement it is set up in the backyard. But my dad did put 4 metal rods at each corner of the cage and stuck them into the ground so the cage would not move. And there is a tarp over half the top of his cage to keep the rain out and give him shade.

Answer 1

If the coyotes only show up at night, and the dog has to stay outside, you should put some lights out there, or get some night vision goggles, get a 12 gauge shotgun, or a good deer rifle, and kill the coyotes when they show up. If you don't kill the coyotes or let the dog come inside, the coyotes probably will get him. They don't quit. And even if they didn't get your dog, he would probably be traumatized from the coyotes messing with him all night. Just put yourself in your dogs place, how would you feel if you had a pack of coyotes trying to kill you, and you cant do anything about it.

Answer 2

At the very least I think I'd bury some fence around the bottom of the kennel so your dog can't dig it's way out.
And it's more likely he'll do so to get at the coyotes than them trying to get at him.
I have 2 male german shepherds and we ran across one on our daily walk just the other day.It stopped on the trail not 20 feet ahead of us.My silly boys thought it was another dog and started for it with tails wagging.Thankfully,they listen and mind and I was able to leash them both and keep them still.After a 2 minute stare down the coyote ran into the brush where I could hear another one gagging and I knew we were close to a den.
I tell you this because a lone coyote will lure a preditor to the pack where it will be outnumbered in a fight.So make sure your dog can't dig out.

Answer 3

exactly how high is the kennel? Coyotes can clear a 6 foot fence easily. They usually don't mess with larger dogs, but if he is trapped in a kennel he may be an easy target. One coyote would probably not chance taking on a large dog, but a pack might. Is your yard fenced in as well? You might want to keep him in at night if you do not have a very high fence around your yard, and if the kennel your dog is in is open at the top.

Answer 4

Coyotes are incredibly resourceful. In my personal opinion, your dog should be kept inside. The lab is obviously worth it and valuable to you, since you've gone to all the trouble of setting up the kennel. I wouldn't put it past the coyotes, assuming there are more than one, to break in some night and turn your dog into dog meal. In the meantime, you should report the coyotes to your local animal control people. They could also endanger people-- especially children-- also small pets. B.

Answer 5

Your dog is a puppy-even if he was full grown, he's no match for a pack of coyotes. Coyote's will gang up and attack something they think is compitetion or a threat. Your dog may be compitetion to them. My friends had a large golden retriever who was almost ambushed by a pack. One of them lured him out farther then his owners could see...they heard a yelp, and he came running back. They said they heard all the yipping and howling. Eerie.

But your dog is in a kennel...so I think he's safer then if he was out in the open. Isn't there some way you could bring him in at night? Maybe you could make a deal with your dad, he can sleep in at night and you will do something for your dad or for the family, the dog...and the day you dont, the dog has to sleep outside . . . with the coyote's barking at him. I think you will do what you agree, right? Its a win, win situation!

good luck and my best wishes for your dog to sleep inside at night.

Answer 6

If you're not living there temporarily it would be a good idea to put a fence around your house. I found this on a website:
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Coyotes eat wild species, but they are known to eat pet food, garbage, garden crops, livestock, poultry, and pets (mostly cats).
Coyotes occasionally kill domestic dogs (and foxes) that they consider territorial intruders. Coyotes are also very protective of their young and will attack dogs that get too close to their den and pups.

Keep dogs and cats indoors, especially from dusk to dawn. If left outside at night in an unprotected area, cats and small to mid-size dogs may be killed by coyotes. Pets can be easy prey for coyotes. Being raised by humans leaves them unsuspecting once they leave the safety of your home. If you suspect losing a dog or cat to a coyote, notify your neighbors. Once a coyote finds easy prey it will continually hunt in the area.
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If a dog is sleeping at night and a pack of coyotes approach, I think it wouldn't be very safe. Have electric fencing installed to keep them off your property.

Answer 7

coyotes are famous for their ingenuity. but it sounds like your lab should be ok. It is possible though for coyotes to dig under the kennel..and coyotes can jump real high. ... if i were you i would check the kennel every night before i go to bed and every morning when i wake up to look for digging. And remember to have your dog get his shots...rabies and parvo and the rest... We used to have rabbits and my dad built the cages on stilts.. one night a coyote came and bit the toes off one of the rabbits...
but i really think your dog will be ok...

Answer 8

I would not worry about it. It would take more than 1 coyote to take down a lab, and it is unlikely that even 1 of them would attempt to jump into a kennel. You hear bad things about coyotes, but my german shepherds (3 of them) killed 5 coyotes about 3 years ago. If it were wolves, then i'd worry.

Answer 9

I don't think coyotes get big enough to hurt a big dog like yours by themselves and from what I know they rarely hunt in packs. If your really worried why not just bring your dog in the house?

Answer 10

The coyotes could dig under if the cage is on dirt. I don't know whether they will or not. If the lab can't jump out, though, I dont think the coyotes could jump in.