A valued JenLovesPets family member asked a question on the JLP Facebook Page. “Any advice on what to do when encountering a coyote while walking my little furkids? It comes around at night and early morning near my house, and in the the past was not afraid of me or my dogs. It was not agressive [yet]. I do carry pepper spray though.”
Coyotes mate between January and March, the pups are usually born between April and June. Momma teaches the pups to hunt at 10-12 weeks so with it being September {already, can you believe it?} the young ones are out and about. You’ll see more coyote activity as there are full dens out there.
I’ve seen coyotes stalking people walking their dogs. In Scripps one morning at 6:30 after picking up a furnephew for doggie daycare there was a coyote approximately 5 yards behind a woman and her small dog. I honked the horn and turned around to make sure it was gone. He did leave, the woman on the other hand looked at me a little wary until I told her what I saw.
More active in the dawn and dusk hours, mainly because their prey is, coyotes are considered opportunistic killers, they must eat too. They’re cunning, able to jump over a typical fence if need be and run up to 40mph. If you come across one that seems innocent and curious remember it can and will attack if you let your guard down or seem naïve.
So, what to do when you come across a coyote while walking your dog?
Due to our schedules we’re usually walking the furkids during prime hunting time. Dawn and Dusk. Being in San Diego coyotes are all around us, we should keep our eyes open and watch our back…especially if we have dogs smaller than the typical 40 pound dog relative. They’re known to stalk prey up to 20minutes and can lead prey to the pack so they can pounce. This is important to know if you walk your dog leashless in the mountains or have open terrain in the yard.
1. Never turn your back on the coyote and never run. Look the coyote directly in the eye and claim your land and dog with your body. Become tall and wide with your arms.
2. Waive your arms out and around.
3. Yell “Get” or “Go” or some loud noise and stomp to scare it away.
3. Keep pepper spray on you just in case you come across one that is a bit more curious and aggressive in its approach. Or a walking stick can be used as well.
4. Keep your dog close to you on a leash. NO RETRACTABLE LEASHES! I discourage them anyway for behavior and safety reasons but in the coyote hunting hours this is important. It will be afraid of you, the closer your dog is to you the less opportunity it has to grab its breakfast. That long leash allows to much distance.
5. Again, NEVER TURN YOUR BACK. Wait until it’s gone.
6. Don’t allow the coyote to get between you and your dog.
7. If, like in my clients case you find the coyote is frequenting your neighborhood reach out to your neighbors and home association to come up with a plan. It can become a problem with young children and small pets.
It’s very rare for a coyote to attack, with that being said it is becoming more common. We are invading their homes and dinner table. It’s best to protect ourselves and the coyotes by staying aware of our surrounding and being proactive with preventative measures. Don’t feed them, don’t try to make friends, make sure leftovers are enclosed in the trashbins, protect fruit trees in our yards, keep yards fenced with secure fencing and high enough to shy away the predator.
Being proactive is my motto. If an attack were to happen knowing pet first aid and cpr can help save your pets life as your get it to the vet. Contact me at 858.205.8132 or jen@jenlovespets.com for more information.
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