How to Protect your Dog from Coyote Attacks
I’ve spent most of my adult life living on the West Coast of Canada in and around the Vancouver area (also known as the Lower Mainland or Metro Vancouver).
Like many of us here, I have learned to live with and respect our wildlife. Including urban coyotes who are losing their habitat at a rapid pace.
While I’ve always known how to protect your dog from coyote attacks from reading literature about this topic, I’ve really never actually had a close encounter where I was in danger.
Well that is until this past summer when I had a frightening experience that I still can hardly believe happened.
urban coyotes are usually very shy
but as they lose their habitat and people feed them, they are changing both their hunting habits and how they interact with us.
Our Coyote Attack Story
We were out on our regular very early morning walk, the familiar streets of our neighborhood still shrouded in the early summer mist. The sun was just beginning to break through the clouds when a young, healthy coyote darted across the road in front of us.
I shrugged it off as this wasn’t unusual around here.
But what happened next sent a chill down my spine.
Another coyote emerged from the shadows, standing defiantly in the middle of the street.
They looked like twins – healthy, lean, with hungry eyes glinting in the morning light. Suddenly, we weren’t just on our regular walk enjoying the peace and quiet.
Now we were cornered and blocked in the middle of a very quiet street.
My heart raced as I remembered the advice of how to protect your dog from a coyote attack - specifically don’t turn your back on them and make noise.
I then clapped my hands loudly, desperation fueling my strength. The force was so intense that I felt blood vessels break in my palms, a sharp pain anchoring my fear.
For a moment, it seemed they might retreat, but then they hesitated, their predatory instincts clearly weighing our next moves.
Sabrina, my sweet greyhound, stood beside me, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to my rising panic. But as the seconds stretched, she squatted and peed, the scent of fear mingling with the early morning air.
I always remember the local Coyote Centre saying to me that coyotes don’t usually travel in packs and what they said about how to protect your dog from a coyote attack.
That’s when the realization hit me.
Something was terribly off.
My stomach dropped as I caught sight of it looming behind us, larger and much more menacing than the first two. Bolder!
It felt like a scene from a nightmare, and my voice caught in my throat as I called for help.
But the neighborhood was eerily quiet, a very early Friday morning lull before the Canada Day long weekend. The gated homes on acre lots were silent, and my pleas were swallowed by the stillness.
The landscape around us became a prison: huge ditches on either side of the street and the forest looming ominously ahead.
There was nowhere to run, nowhere to hide. Panic gripped me, and tears streamed down my face as I imagined Sabrina being snatched away, a victim in this cruel game of nature.
Then, something shifted. My sweet, polite and beautiful Greyhound girl, usually so gentle, suddenly transformed.
She growled low and deep, her lips curling back to reveal her teeth, and then she barked—fiercely, defiantly, as if she were a lioness defending her territory.
Sabrina became a creature of power, a force of nature. She became like Cujo in the movie.
The first two coyotes flinched, their confidence shaken, and bolted into the underbrush.
The third remained, its gaze locked on us, assessing. Time seemed to stretch, each second an eternity, until it too decided we weren’t worth the risk.
With one last glance, it slipped back into the shadows of the forest.
I stood there, heart pounding, still shaking from fear and relief.
These were not the coyotes I had learned to coexist with over the last two decades—thin and wary, living on the fringes. Timid even.
No, these coyotes were different.
Healthy, bold, fed by foolish humans who didn’t understand the danger they were inviting.
As I regained my composure, I knew one thing for certain: the wilderness had shifted, and with it, the rules of our fragile coexistence.
If you find yourself surrounded by multiple coyotes as Sabrina and I were that day, it can be a very tense situation.
Other than multiple broken blood vessels in my hands – neither of us had any injuries. We were lucky.
Even though this was a very terrifying experience, I 100% blame the foolish people who continue to feed wildlife just so they can get a good photo or video for their social media accounts.
It is shameful behaviour and is costing these beautiful animals their lives.
learn to protect your dog from coyote attacks
how to protect your dog from a coyote attack
Important Steps on how to protect your dog from a coyote attack - IF it happens:
Stay Calm: Panic can lead to unpredictable behavior from both you and your dog.
Keep Your Dog Close: Hold your dog tightly on the leash, keeping them close to you. If possible, lift smaller dogs to keep them safe.
Make Yourself Look Bigger: Stand tall and raise your arms or use any item (like a jacket or bag) to appear larger and more intimidating.
Make Loud Noises: Yell firmly and assertively to scare the coyotes away.
Use a whistle, clap your hands, or make any loud noises to draw attention and deter them.
Back Away Slowly: If the coyotes are not approaching aggressively, back away slowly while facing them.
Avoid turning your back or running, as this may provoke a chase.
Use Deterrents: If you have anything on hand (like a stick, rock, or deterrent spray), be ready to use it to defend yourself if necessary.
Avoid Eye Contact: While you want to face the coyotes, try to avoid direct eye contact, which can be seen as a threat.
Seek Higher Ground: If possible, move to a location where you can gain some elevation or safety, like getting on a bench or a wall.
Call for Help: If you have your phone, call for help or alert someone nearby if you feel threatened.
Know When to Defend Yourself: If the coyotes do approach aggressively, be prepared to defend yourself and your dog.
And fight with everything you have got. Because they will. And remember they can run really fast – their top sprint speed can match that of a Greyhound at almost 70 km an hour.
Coyotes in the Neighbourhood and Safety
You may never need to actually protect your dog from a coyote attack
Encountering coyotes while walking your dog can be concerning, but there are steps you can take to protect both of you.
While not as dramatic as the above, they are similar. But some, you may not be aware of.
Here’s what to do:
Stay Calm: Try to remain calm; panicking can cause your dog to react unpredictably.
Keep Your Dog Leashed: Always keep your dog on a leash. This gives you more control and helps prevent them from chasing the coyote.
Make Yourself Big: Stand tall, and if possible, raise your arms to appear larger. This can help deter the coyote.
Make Noise: Yell, clap, or make loud noises to scare the coyote away. Use a whistle or even a dog training tool if you have one.
Back Away Slowly: If the coyote is not aggressive, slowly back away while keeping your eyes on it. Don’t turn your back or run, as this might provoke a chase.
Avoid Feeding or Attracting Coyotes: Make sure to clean up after your dog and avoid leaving food or trash outside, which can attract coyotes.
Use a Deterrent: Consider carrying a deterrent spray (like citronella or bear spray) specifically for wildlife encounters.
Choose Your Walking Times Wisely: Coyotes are typically more active during dawn and dusk. If possible, try to walk during other times of the day.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings: Stay alert to your surroundings and look out for signs of coyotes or other wildlife.
Contact Local Wildlife Authorities: If you encounter aggressive coyotes frequently, it might be worth reporting it to your local Coyote Information Centre.
learn how to identify your local coyotes
Identification of Coyotes
Below are some key characteristics to assist in identifying a coyote:
The tail is bushy and typically points downward.
The ears are significantly larger than those of an average dog and are upright.
The eyes are a distinct golden yellow.
Average length ranges from 1.1 to 1.4 meters, with a shoulder height of 40 to 46 centimeters.
Average weight is between 9 and 16 kilograms (20 to 35 pounds).
The fur is dense and can exhibit various shades, including brown, black, and gray. It is worth noting that many urban coyotes may suffer from mange, a condition caused by parasitic mites that burrow into the skin, resulting in fur loss. Mange can be transmitted to domestic pets.
Coyotes are frequently confused with wolves; however, an adult wolf is typically more than twice or even three times the size of an adult coyote. Coyotes in eastern North America tend to be larger than their western counterparts due to interbreeding with wolves that began in the early 1900s, leading to the emergence of the so-called “Coy-wolf.”
A Year in the Life of a Coyote
Breeding (January 1 – April 30):
Courtship and mating usually occur between the alpha male and female of a pack in January and February. The female excavates a den or utilizes a pre-existing one, often hidden behind dense vegetation or within abandoned structures. Dens are exclusively for rearing pups, while coyotes typically seek shelter in undisturbed areas at other times of the year.
Pup Rearing (May 1 – August 31):
Pups are born in April, with litter sizes typically ranging from four to seven, though this can vary significantly based on food availability and the size of the territory or pack. Pups emerge from their dens approximately four to five weeks after birth and learn survival skills with parental assistance. By July and August, they begin to hunt independently.
Dispersal (September 1 – December 31):
A family pack usually consists of four to six coyotes, contingent on food availability. Approximately one-third to one-half of juvenile coyotes will leave the pack to establish solitary territories. Unfortunately, many urban coyotes do not survive their first year due to competition, disease, or, most commonly, vehicle-related fatalities. Although about half of coyotes live in family groups, it is rare to observe more than one or two together at a time, as they typically hunt and travel alone or in pairs. A coyote reaches full growth within one year and may be capable of mating in its second year, though this is often unlikely due to complex family dynamics.
Habitat and Distribution:
Interestingly, coyotes did not inhabit Vancouver and the Lower Mainland areas until the 1930s and arrived in the City of Vancouver only in the 1980s. Historically, prior to European settlement, coyotes were native to the deserts and grasslands of the Midwest United States. Following increased agricultural and urban development, along with the widespread eradication of wolves (their natural predator), coyotes expanded their range throughout North America by the mid-20th century. Urbanized and cultivated areas provide ample open space and food sources, particularly rodents. Known for their adaptability, coyotes can thrive in nearly any terrestrial environment across North America.
Diet:
Coyotes predominantly consume mice, squirrels, and rabbits, which constitute approximately 80% of their diet. They are opportunistic feeders and will consume a wide variety of foods, including fish, fruits, berries, nuts, eggs, and garbage. Although they have been known to prey on cats and small dogs, such instances account for only a small portion of an urban coyote's diet.
Coyote Facts
Coyotes possess several remarkable abilities:
They can sprint up to 65 to 70 km an hour and maintain comfortable trotting speeds of 20 to 30 km an hour.
They are capable of jumping distances of up to five meters and heights exceeding two meters.
Coyotes can project and vary their vocalizations, making them among the most vocal wild animals in North America.
Coyotes exhibit natural activity during both day and night. While they may appear nocturnal, they have adapted their behavior in urban environments to avoid human interaction during the day, primarily hunting and traveling at night, during twilight or in the early hours of the morning.
The coyote holds a prominent position in the storytelling traditions of Native American and Canadian First Nations cultures, often depicted as a trickster engaged in mischief with spirits, humans, and other animals.
