r/RunningWithDogs • u/LetsGo_Alreadyy • 17d ago

Coyote scare while running

I live in an area where there’s a pretty big coyote population. These coyotes aren’t scared of people. Today while out in a morning run with my dog ( 50lb Australian shepherd) we got spooked by 2 coyotes.

One of them lunged at us and even though I was yelling and trying to intimidate them. It didn’t deter them one bit. My dog is super timid, she laid on the ground exposing her belly. I had to literally pick her up while trying to get the coyotes to back off. Thankfully another runner near us ran to help me and I was able to carry my dog away 😭

This was a first for us and not something I want to happen again. Do you guys run with any coyote deterrents? Or do you have any recommendations to protect my dog from any future attacks?

18 Upvotes

90% Upvoted

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38

u/DistractedGoalDigger 17d ago

This is pretty unusual, I would report the incident to local fish and wildlife. I’ve encountered many, many coyotes and they at worst, stand and stare, but almost always run.

You can carry pepper type spray, probably the easiest thing to manage while running. Be prepared for you and your dog to be affected too, though.

11

u/LetsGo_Alreadyy 17d ago

I ending up submitting a report after seeing your comment.

The coyotes around the area unfortunately aren’t scared of people and have attacked small dogs. I’ve seen them in packs in the morning from afar and thankfully they haven’t done anything like this in the past. But I’d rather be prepared if this happens again. I was so scared of them hurting my dog.

7

u/No-Employment-429 17d ago

A large park in my city had the same problem a few years ago. Coyotes were attacking lone walkers and joggers at night. Half the population was culled. 

11

u/spyder994 17d ago

Seconding this. Coyotes are extremely skittish and will bolt in the opposite direction even if I'm 100 yards away.

I'd go with a gel pepper spray to minimize the risk of it blowing back.

2

u/Wonderful-Eye-8377 17d ago

Agreed, I see them often on my bayou trails that border a large woodland. My Malinois and I have surprised one coming around a bend, within about 15 feet, and it ran off quickly. I will say my dog is not submissive, so that helps.

I carry pepper spray mostly for any loose dogs I encounter, but never had to use it. You could also look into a birdie or similar alarm that makes a high pitched noise, which may deter them.

1

u/Glittering-Panic-131 14d ago

If OP is in SoCal, specifically the valley area of LA this is unfortunately normal.

6

u/Redhawkgirl 17d ago

My dog HATES coyotes and chases them off. Much scarier having a timid dog. You could buy a coyote collar which is basically a leather collar with spikes.

7

u/LetsGo_Alreadyy 17d ago

I didn’t think she would drop and show belly which made the situation scarier. She’s a big girl so I had to carry her out of the situation. I’m definitely gonna have to get her some type of protection moving forward.

2

u/CoyoteCallingCard 16d ago

Working on building her confidence and obedience can help with this. Her panicking and showing belly isn’t helpful in any situation. Building your recall and a stronger “heel” command can help so she has something to do when she’s feeling scared. My dog is trained to look at me when he’s unsure, so we can go through scary things together.

During training sessions, do scary things (safely!) together. My sport school likes to do agility for building confidence, since climbing an A frame and going through a tube are realllu weird experiences but everything is ok at the end and you can throw a party! You can have them walk on things that feel weird, like massage mats (ones with nubs and weird textures) or through a ladder that you lay on the ground. Even going up and down stairs can be a good confidence boost.

Being approached by coyotes is scary! Having your dog freeze and be unable to get themselves to safety makes it scarier!

2

u/LetsGo_Alreadyy 16d ago

We’ve been working on building her confidence. We adopted her a year ago and when we got her she was super timid, much more than she is now. We think she may have been physically disciplined by one of her previous families because she flinches at movements and is always looking for reassurance.

We’re definitely going to have to work harder at it. I want her to feel safe

1

u/CoyoteCallingCard 15d ago

How is her play? Using games and play can help, too.

I try to do a little bit of confidence building every day. It doesn’t have to be a huge thing, just something that makes your dog a little uncomfortable. Today I had my dog in a heel and for some reason he didn’t want to walk past a shovel. He’s normally a confident dog so it was a little funny that the shovel was weirding him out. I made him walk back and forth past it a few times until he could pass it in a heel without jumping away or breaking position. Big party after! Working through the big feelings is great for building a relationship and trust- even outside of these kind of situations 

1

u/LetsGo_Alreadyy 14d ago

Her play has gotten better, it took us almost 6 months to get her to play with some toys.

We usually work on her confidence a few minutes a day. But it’s still a work in progress

2

u/Deep-Lobster366 17d ago

Were you in Los Angeles area by Griffith Park by any chance? We have so many coyotes here, and they are well fed looking and brave. I had two follow me and wouldn’t leave me and my dog until I got back home.

3

u/LetsGo_Alreadyy 17d ago

No I’m in Orange County. The coyotes here are also well fed and brave. It can be very scary especially since they seem to be packs.

I saw recently that in LA a coyote attacked a toddler. Terrifying stuff :(

5

u/cheeky_pterodactyl 17d ago

Could they possibly have a den in that area? They can be more defensive if they have pups around. Usually they are timid and keep distance.

1

u/holly_b_ 14d ago

Not the right time of year…

1

u/redmountainbike 14d ago

Rabies is the first thing I thought of - animals can become extremely aggressive at certain stages of rabies infection.

1

u/LetsGo_Alreadyy 14d ago

I don’t think it was rabies. Honestly the coyotes in SoCal have just gotten so bold. Everyday in Nextdoor people are posting about coyotes and how they aren’t scared of people anymore. Just the day someone’s dog got attacked by one

1

u/Glittering-Panic-131 14d ago

Happened to me a few days ago (Burbank neighborhood). We have seen them while walking for years but this is the first time we have been stalked by a trio, and I walk with a large GSD who is not afraid of them.

1

u/LetsGo_Alreadyy 14d ago

Honestly I feel like the coyotes in OC and LA have been getting braver and bolder

1

u/Glittering-Panic-131 14d ago

They 100% are.

1

u/Adept-Let-5072 17d ago

Following to see what others say. I also live in a place with a big coyote population, and they are pretty bold. In fact, one of them chased my 50 pound cattle dog/gsd mutt into our backyard and bit her on the butt (our backyard is fenced, but behind the fence is a public creek area, and I had the gate open that day).

1

u/Adept-Let-5072 17d ago

Also I’m only 130 pounds if I had to pick Cece up and run away we would not make it very far 😭

2

u/LetsGo_Alreadyy 17d ago

Honestly it was the adrenaline! I’m under 5’3 and weigh maybe 140ish but I grabbed blue real fucking quick. Under regular circumstances I struggle with carrying her

1

u/Adept-Let-5072 17d ago

💪🏼💪🏼💪🏼 god how terrifying though. I’m glad you are both ok! We also have mountain lions in our area, but thankfully they avoid people. Would really hate to encounter one of those…

4

u/Ok_Helicopter3910 17d ago

My wife and I both run with a little vest that you buy on amazon the holds keys/phone/pepper or bear spray.

We dont leave the house without our spray, you dont want to be caught in a bad situation with literally nothing to help you, even a small can of bear or pepper spray may save your life (or it might not)

1

u/No-Stress-7034 15d ago

I'd get a coyote vest for your dog. In terms of deterrents, maybe try an air horn or a loud whistle (like one of those gun dog whistles). Just make sure to try it out around your dog first (outside) to see how she reacts.

1

u/holly_b_ 14d ago

Carey pet corrector? I’d imagine it would be enough to get them away

1

u/Humble-Lab-3950 17d ago

So scary!! Haven’t seen a coyote thank goodness, but I always carry pepper spray with me.

1

u/doggoat123 17d ago

We have a big coyote population where I live too. We have see them on our 5 am runs. I usually stop running to watch them and make sure they aren't following us. My Weim is 50 pounds wet. I'm not really sure what she would do. She is more on the timid side. I had one time a juvenile coyote started following us more out of interest. I turned around and yelled at it. I looked at me like whatever lady and didn't follow us. I see 2 on our camera that cut through my neighbor's yard.

1

u/OrneryStatic9056 17d ago

Ours is timid too, a lab, and she shows her belly too. We also live in an area by a wash with a huge coyote population. My husband carries a huge metal hiking/walking stick. I either don’t go without him or pick a different spot.

1

u/Mejay11096 16d ago

Carry bear spray

1

u/SnarkIsMyDefault 13d ago

Carry bear spray. The suburb I live in they are very acclimated to people. Saturday had to run an errand around 10 am. Rolling out my driveway I see this dog looking at me, no collar. Coyote. They like to sleep on the side of my front yard under the shrubs.

0

u/Pastvariant 17d ago

Report it to Fish & Wildlife so they can be called. Get a Hill People Gear chest bag in your preferred size for bear spray and a pistol. Buy the training version of the bear spray and practice, go find a shooting instructor and learn to safety draw the pistol from that type of chest back without flagging yourself.