How To Deal With A Coyote While Walking Your Dog?

You must have seen a coyote or two in your neighborhood and mistook them to be lost dogs. It must have taken you some close inspection to do so. It is natural for people living close to wildlife reserves, farms, and forests to encounter coyotes. The thing is that this is changing nowadays.

These days, we need to be more aware of their existence in urban areas while walking with our pets or alone. It is imperative to choose the way we coexist with them because of how important these animals are to our ecosystems. They are so beneficial to the same that it is incredible.

Coyotes are omnivores making them the top predators of the cities. They are the clean-up crew of nature. They play a significant role in reducing the number of rodents in your area and scavenging other dead animals. Some of them share genetic similarities with wolves.

For example, the Eastern Coyote of North America – also known as the Song Dog – shares DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) with the Algonquin Wolf. If you let them be, they can become mates for life and form strong familial bonds.

Every coyote family has a home range or territory. Each coyote defends them properly. This area could range anywhere between 5 and 28 square km, equivalent to 3 to 18 square miles. However, it depends on the availability of food in the area.

Coyotes are rather skillful as foragers. They are capable of using a wide array of natural waste and food discarded by humans. These days, an increasing number of people are taking recourse to the outdoor world to get some mental peace in the pandemic.

Hence, there is a high chance that we can come across these regal animals. However, it is essential to know what you would do if something happens. You can be sure if your dog spots a coyote, no matter how far it is, it would start shouting and get distressed.

My dog is barking like a coyote. Should I be scared?

Dogs are capable of sensing the environment and communicating with them. It includes coyotes as well. The main modes of communication are whistling, snuffling, barking, eye contact, sniveling, and change in body language. If they bark, it piques the interest of a coyote.

However, if they see a human presence over there, they are more likely to be scared away than be attracted. If your dog is showing signs of being eager to interact with wild animals, you should try and distract them. You can use treats for the purpose.

You can also change direction if you want to. It would reduce communication and interaction, which could otherwise escalate matters.

It is imperative to ensure that your dog is not chasing a coyote. The coyotes perceive the act of chasing differently. You should make sure there is a lot of distance between you and your dog and the coyotes.

It would make sure the communication is minimal, thus reducing the possibility of negative interactions between the two species.

What to do if there are coyotes in the neighborhood?

The best way to deal with such situations is a definite process referred to as aversion conditioning. You combine an undesirable behavior with an unpleasant stimulus. The technique itself is peaceful. It helps you coexist with the coyotes. Using these techniques makes sure the coyotes follow their natural tendencies of avoiding humans.

It makes sure that direct interactions are to a minimum. You can get across to your local wildlife and fish department to get help and necessary assistance. It is especially needed when you see an increase in these animals in the neighborhood.

Depending on how many members the family of coyotes in your neighborhood has, the authorities may have to take consistent and intense action. It would encourage them to move away from the area. It is better to let the trained professionals take care of hazing these animals. These people have direct experience using the latest techniques and are best placed to perform such tasks.

What can you do if you see a coyote following you and your dog?

The first – and the most important – thing you should do is keep calm, back away slowly from them, and maintain eye contact all the while. Just leave that area. Never run away from them as it might trigger their predatory instincts. It might give them a reason to chase you.

Are you carrying any personal alarm device like a whistle, phone alarm, or bell? If yes, you can use them to threaten or scare them away.

You need to stop and stand still, to begin with. After that, you have to make yourself big. Try and be as assertive and loud as you can be. If you back away, do so slowly.

You must never turn your back on these animals and run through. You can try the steps of assertion, to begin with, so that you can scare the coyotes away.

However, you must never scream. You can create as much noise as you can by using anything for such a purpose. You can be sure that it would be effective.

Conclusion 

It is better that you carry the likes of a pet corrector horn or noisemaker to scare wild animals as and when you need to. If you ever see any sick, abandoned, and injured animal, you must maintain your distance from it.

Get in touch with the local game and fish department or an authorized wildlife rehabilitator for the same.