Coyotes & my dog!

[Buttons2]

Well I'm getting concerned about the coyotes here @ night. they come around just before dawn. My dog Rags wakes me up so I'll let him out,he starts barking @ the coyotes. This morning he went after them! I know he's a big dog (110#), but if there are 2 coyotes they could take him down!

I know of 2 people that lost their dogs to coyotes,one was a German Shepard & one was a Lab. I didn't really believe this story because I figured those dogs were too large.....but now I'm reconsidering. A pack of coyotes could probably get any dog!

My housemate is talking about having a loaded 22 ready & shoot/kill the coyotes. Now this freaks me out cause @ that hour of the morning it's not the best time for action with a loaded gun! What if he shoots Rags instead?

His barking was so bad this morning I'm also concerned the neighbors are gonna complain!

Now there's zero doubt this a coyote problem. I've been seeing their poop for the past week on the path we walk in the woods,each day it gets closer to the house. We have lots of wild bunnies to lure the coyotes here. The cubs (or whatever the babies are called), are down in the flats,I hear their yelps during the day. So I'm figuring this is one or more grown coyotes.

we've already lost 2 cats to coyotes. And my cat Sissy likes to hunt at dawn! She has a cat window so no control over going in/out (she never uses a litter box).

Any bright ideas on how to chase off the coyotes?

Thanks,Buttons

[joy]

Hi Buttons. I'm back, yeah, and I didn't melt, lol.

Yes, about the coyotes. Down here we use burrows to chase off those nasty critters. Of course the trouble with that is you keep them in a pen so isn't entirely fool proof. But I'm wondering if just having them on place would deter coyotes from coming around? I don't know myself but sure plan on getting at least one if we ever move on farm and get a horse. I hate coyotes nabbing my smaller animals so will give it a try. But I'm not holding my breat on getting the move done. We are so slow to do anything! If I am ever around someone that has burrows I'll ask if they are a help or does it haver to be just in the same pasture. I know it works for in the pasture tho!

See, that's why we don't get anything done at this house. I go around and around the same thing and end up spinnning myself dizzy and am ready to drop and rest, lol.

[Buttons2]

Hi Joy & welcome back, just trying to wake up here (I'll PM you later today).

Well the coyotes didn't come around for several nights,then last night the darn things sounded like they were right in back & there were a zillion of them! Wonder who's cat they were gonna share?:eek:

I'm not letting Rags out though,he finally gives up & goes back to bed after several "NO's"! I also turned on the fan to block out the racket!

I always take a walking stick when on the walks with the dogs,one year I encountered a coyote when I was alone,the critter just stood his ground & stared at me! Same with a buck! If I don't scare them.....what would a cougar do?:eek: Also take my cell phone,one time I feel down in mud & couldn't get back up! Well,no mud these days-everything is soooo dry & the ground is cracked,the grass is dead & cedars have some kind of disease that's killing them off......it looks like a ghost forest now!

Feel guilty when I can't play with Rags or take him for walk,my feet aren't doing good right now. This is sooooo discouraging! Two days up=three days down!

later,Buttons

[PainInTheNeck]

I am new to country living and the coyotes coming back to this part of the country is new also. I am gonna sound really dumb here but...what is a burrow? I have 2 cats and kittens and I don't want to lose any of them.

The other day there was a young looking coyote standing on our country road....broad daylight(3 pm) about 1/4 mile from my house and it didnt even run off as I slowed down and drove by it. It just casually ambled to the side of the road and off in to the woods. I am worried we have some young ones that maybe have no or little fear of humans.....

[Buttons2]

Burrows,well we're gonna have to wait til Joy explains that one! I'm wondering myself.....

I think the only time a coyote will run is if they have a den of babies to get back to.....they sure have no fear of humans! And I've seen them in middle of the day right in the back yard here (prior to getting the big dog).

I'd make sure your cats have plenty of escape trees to climb,or a pole,anything they can run to easily! Coyotes can take down deer or anything else if there are enough of them. I never see packs though.....the kittens need to be kept inside if possible,they wouldn't have a chance!

I suggest you consider getting a dog,at least they will bark whenever a critter comes around or people you don't expect! And cats & dogs do get along! Just might take some adjustment.....

Buttons

[joy]

http://www.desertusa.com/magjan98/jan_pap/du_wildburro.html

I hope this will show a wild burro. I spell it wrong and when I googled burrow gots lots of things but what I wanted, lol.

Welcome PainInTheNeck and I think you are going to love country living if you give it a chance. I was raised in the woods so to speak and have not been eaten by anything yet. But it does pay to be careful just in case.

I remember burros from my 4th grade teacher reading us Brighty of the Grand Canyon. In fact if you google that you can still see the original book and read a few pages. If you have young children they might love it as much as I did. In fact I wrote Marguerite Henry and she she sent me a picture of herself and a burro and also a horse that resembled one from her other book Misty of Chineoteaque. Gotta run as granddaughter is here.

[Buttons2]

Joy, for the life of me I couldn't figure out how making a burrow would keep coyotes away! Glad you explained,now all the burros I see around here make sense to me! I always wondered what they were good for! I sat on a burro one time at the fair & had my picture taken.

Now what's the difference between a burro & a donkey? Same thing?

We even have mules here,they're kinda pricey critters! A guy has a team of them he uses for pulling a covered wagon for special events. They are also used as pack animals by hunters.

Anybody remember the movie "Two Mules for Sister Sarah" with Clint Eastwood & Shirley MacLaine? It's a comedy.As I recall she was NOT riding a mule,it was a donkey,burro,whatever.

Well I just looked up burro-it's a small donkey!
Later,Buttons the brainless.......

[Cry Tears]

Hi Buttons...My hubby says they can take a huge dog down in a heart beat!
What they do is lure the big dog out, then surround him and the entire pack will attack a big dog.
You MUST keep Rags safe...he's a big doofis-goof and no doubt not worried about a lil coyote getting him...but it can and does happen.
We don't want any tradgedy like this to happen to Rags!
I'd go more for fire crackers instead of the gun...the coyotes are very smart, but can't distinguish between firecrackers or gun shots...so see if you can get ahold of some firecrackers....Maybe even an M-80....caboooom!
The coyote "Pups" are now brave teenagers....probably pretty hungry trying to get ready for winter and need to "beef up".
Probably very hungry...you know how hungry teen boys can get!
Toss'em some poisen burgers! No that is too dangerous...toss them some gluten steaks! That'll bring em down....fast!
Anyway....this is too dangerous! Hope you can keep Rags safe.
I'd call the Fish and Wildlife people...see what they suggest.
I'm sure has good info for your area!
My cats have been totally acting freaky 2 days now...wonder whats going on?!
Later...cheryl