coyote vests

[M Kol]

Hi,  I know we have had discussions in our group about protection of our pets from dogs and other animals such as hawks and coyotes. This video caught my attention and I wondered everyone's thoughts on on this were?  Thanks.

https://www.americasgreatestmakers.com/video/coyotevest/

[Amy and Annabelle]

I had a problem with hawks last year with Annabelle. They would circle us above, usually in groups of 3 or more. I felt they were waiting for me to leave so they could grab Annabelle. We had a few close calls with them swooping down near her. She only weighed about 13lbs last summer, now she weighs 15lbs. I would just bring her in and wait for them to leave. The hawks are back again, but so far they haven't seemed interested in her, although I am keeping my eye out.  I might have bought one of these last year, when we were having our issues with them.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I don't know how helpful this would really be if your dog were attacked by a coyote or another dog. The video states that it protects your dog's neck, but in fact it only protects the back of your dog's neck. The whole throat is unprotected, and that's the area that a fighting dog like a pit bull will always go for, the throat. And the head and face are also completely unprotected. The one time that Jack was attacked and bitten by another dog, he was bitten on the head and face. So this would not have helped at all. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

It might be a first step deterrent, giving you time to get to your dog.  I don't think it would work in the long run though.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

I agree with the other.  Yikes - it certainly looks like it should be a deterrent of some kind, but I doubt I would ever use it.

[M Kol]

Yes, I am not sure about the throat or the stomach either, I agree.

I was thinking though it might be nice if we were walking/jogging with our pet during the evening hours around the woods.  There are coyotes, and if one came out, maybe the vest might give more of a fighting chance.  I'm not sure about the colors and why they chose the bright colored spikes.

[Wendy and Myla]

We live in the country - we hear coyotes every night and we see them regularly in huge fields during the day.  I'm sure that a lot of you have different experiences, but we have never had one approach us - Myla is 63 pounds and I'm not sure what would happen if we weren't with her, but the coyotes around here are definitely afraid of humans and it has never, ever been an issue for us.  We see them regularly on our walks with Myla, but they always go in the opposite direction.  This "invention"  to me is overkill.  I would never put that on my dog.  DH has been snowshoeing regularly this winter with Myla, and twice has come face to face with a bobcat.  Both times, Myla was behind DH (because the snow was too deep and she had to go in his trail) and both times, the bobcat took off, as fast as he could go!  I honestly believe that if your dog is with you, a bear spray is all you need to ward off any attackers.  When I look at this contraption, all I think about is how much Myla loves to roll around on her back and would be unable to do so.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I guess the urban coyotes are bolder than their country cousins, lol. Here they are not at all afraid of humans or big dogs. They're competing for space and food.  Jack and I crossed paths with one several years back while out on a walk and the coyote held his ground. It was very frightening. They have attacked and even killed smaller dogs in their own backyards. 

[Wendy and Myla]

They do kill smaller dogs in their own backyards here too but only when the dog is on their own. The same with bobcats and cougars. It would be very scary if the coyote held his ground, but again, I would carry a bear spray with me over this "contraption".

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If the coyote or dog is attacking your dog, though, how do you use the spray without spraying your own dog too? 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

One of the new fosters for the DRC shared two coyote experiences that happened to her friends' dogs.  One was a large lab and the other was a great dane - both were killed!  Urban coyotes are quite bold.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Even bold enough to visit a fast food shop in the heart of Chicago: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/17950832/ns/us_news-weird_news/t/coyote-s...

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Or ride the subway: http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2012/10/05/162300544/coyotes...