How can you protect your puppy from coyotes?

Question

My husband saw a coyote on the edge of our yard this morning. We live in the country, but have never seen a coyote in the area before. I have heard horror stories of coyotes killing pets. Even of one trying to grap a small dog that was on a leash. We have a large yard that is not fenced in, and is surrounded by large trees and under brush. We rent and can not cut down any trees or the under brush.
We have a small puppy. The pup only goes outside when one of us is out. She likes to run all over the yard and chases a ball, and 'help' with the yard care. Now we are unsure if we can let her out to play.
How do you get rid of a coyote? Baiting / poison is NOT a choice. Nor do we have a gun.

Answer 1

Where there is one coyote, there are probably many more. They usually run in packs. usually are only out at night, but can occasionally be seen in daylight.Put the pup on a leash and keep it close at all times. We live in an area surrounded by woods. Our chihuahuas are all in a fenced area. We have a blue heeler that has done a terrific job of keeping the coyotes away. She is very protective. We used to own goats and coyotes love to attack and kill them and yes they can and will kill small dogs and puppies. Even tho your pup loves to run free when outside, keeping the pup on a leash is the best option. Take it from someone who knows coyotes, has lost lots of baby goats to the nasty critters. Frankly if they threatened our animals we would kill them.

Answer 2

I live in the country with lots of coyotes. Coyotes are wary of humans but not entirely afraid. They are cunning or they would have not survived and adapted so well. You need a fenced yard. Coyotes will limit their attemps with a 6' fence, anything under that they will and can jump easily. I would even put hot wire on top of the fence for added protection. Make sure the hot wire is high enough where children and your pup can not get hurt by. Light up the dog yard with a regular light, not a dusk to dawn. I would never leave the pup outside even in the fenced area at night without supervision or during the day when you are not home. I certainly would not let the pup run around the entire yard at all, unless you fence off the perimeter. Choices for a quick, inexpensive fix could be Cattle or hog panels with small holes that your pup can't slip through. Hot wire in conjuction with the panels for the perimeter and a dog run or yard withing the fenced perimeter. You could use the dog yard for evening and convenience. If you don't want the expense of a 6' dog run/yard or one that you can't take with you, I would buy several 6' dog kennels and attach them together for the dog yard. The dog kennels can be moved when you move or they can be sold easily. We did that, plus we got a Great Pyrenese Dog to protect out live stock. Coyotes will watch you and your ativities and you may never know it. Coyotes always have a leader. If the leader is not any problem to you, never kill it because a new leader will come in and could be twice as mean as the previous leader. Coyotes are pretty good animals otherwise, I don't recommend shooting them. We are on their property and small animals are their natural prey. If you decide to live at that rental you need to be a resonsible pet owner and adapt the the coyotes ways to protect your pup. I have seen the coyotes stand right in front of my 6' fence several feet from me and watch me and my puppies. Hanging pet hair/human hair in stockings and hanging them around the house deters some coyotes, sometimes. If your pup grows up to be 40lbs I wouldn't worry too much then. The coyotes don't like to tangle if it's not easy prey. You can buy this stuff at any farm store and resale for fencing is always good. Good luck.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, you can't get rid of a coyote. You could call animal control, but there are so many of them they won't be able to do anything for you. It is pretty serious that your yard is not fenced. A coyote can come up any time, day or night to kill your puppy. Even on a leash in the dark they are not completely safe. I suggest you take your dog out on a leash during the day and use puppy pads at night until she is bigger.

Answer 4

We have a similar situation, although our yard is fenced. I always go outside with my dogs. I never leave them unsupervised. Coyotes are vicious predators, but they are shy of humans, so the more human activity around your house the better. They will also scavenge, so never leave your trashcans or garbage cans outside, they will draw the coyotes. Before letting my dogs out, I clap my hands loudly to scare away any critters that may be lurking. I also keep an old schoolbell by the door to ring if I think some large animal, like a bear or coyote may be out there.
When I asked friends for advice after I'd seen a coyote in the yard I was advised to "shoot to kill", but I don't have a gun. Interestingly, there is no hunting season restrictions on coyotes, they are considered so dangerous that you may kill them any time.

Answer 5

I worry about that, too. Coyotes are becoming more and more of a problem as their habitat disappears. Recently, one had to be removed from a downtown Deli in Chicago! There have been several small dogs killed in my area, or attacked, as you say, even when on the end of a leash. I can hear the coyotes howling at night from my suburban backyard.

Keeping a watchful eye is not always enough. These coyotes are not afraid of humans anymore. Think about fencing in an exercise area for your dog. A 6 foot high cyclone enclosure will keep your pet safe and happy, as long as he's in it.

Answer 6

My father kept my American Mastiff that weighed around 150 lbs in Kentucky where there are also coyotes. We did not have any problems with them. We could hear them at night and see them at night drinking from our pond. The only time we even saw them eat an animal was a deer that had been shot by an arrow and we saw the arrow in the deer and knew it died from that. We also have a Yorkie up there there that is like 19 years old, blind, and deaf from age. The coyotes have never given us problems with our dogs. I would not be to worried about it, but if you are really worried then I would bring the Yorkie in at night. The other dogs will be fine. I would not advise a small fence seeing that if a coyote does happen to get in with it, it will not have a way out and that would not be good.

Answer 7

As long as you never leave the pup outside by himself you should be fine. Coyotes are scared of people and wont go near him with you out there next to him. As soon as a coyote hears you they usually go running in the opposite direction. I also live in the country and we have many coyotes in our woods but our dogs have never been their lunch. We just make sure that we are with them at all times when they are outside. Good luck

Note: A fence will not keep a coyote out of your yard if he is really interested in your pup. It's best just to keep a close eye on him.

Answer 8

coyotes usually stay away from humans, so if theres a human with the puppy the coyote shouldnt come close but if i were you i would still but a fence around your yard becuase the puppy wont be right by your side 24/7...

or i guess you could just put a sign in your back yard that says NO COYOTES ALLOWED :D

Answer 9

okay first off you need to purchase a shot gun it is neccesary in case this coyote gets a little too close . my parents live in missouri and we grew up in wyoming . I know coyotes . dont leave the puppy out by itself ever since you know the coyotes are there and yes they will kill a single dog . You really cant get rid of coyote since they are everywhere . get a gun and fire it a couple of times if you see it . they will run off but they will keep coming back . good luck .

Answer 10

let your puppy stay out of the yard when you see the coyotes or you could call the animal control and ask them for some information what to do.