I don't want to go for a walk anymore~ Coyote?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

It has been awhile since Spud and I took a good long walk. We really needed to get out and pee on as many mailboxes as we could find in the three-mile walk.  So, we did.  Well, he did and he did a great job.

We were finishing the last mile when I saw a dog.  An unleashed German Shepard mix.  The stray dog's ears perked really tall and stopped. So did I. Spud was eyeing another mailbox and he was hoping I would loosen his leash again.  I yelled at the strange dog to go home and it turned around and took three steps in the other direction.  We played this game over and over and each time, he would come back even closer. At first, I thought, I was going to SAVE a stray dog. Yep. I will help him!!!!

This dog was so thin and upon further inspection I don't think he was a dog at all but a Coyote.  I looked around waiting for his pack. They had to be somewhere. I looked for my phone and found I forgot it on my desk.  I looked for the closets home, picked up two sticks, and yelled at these people that I needed help.  I asked them to call my husband, but he was outside working in the garage and never answered the phone. So, I tried to make it home since I had not seen the " dog" for awhile.

If this dog was a stray, it didn't act shy one bit. Cautious by not shy. As soon as I left the people's driveway, he was following us again.  It never gave up following me.  It would go in and out of houses, yards and down driveways, only to be trailing again. If I last saw him on the right, he would show up again on the left.

I know we have coyotes close by but I have not seen them out during the day and never on a walk. I have heard them a few times ( two winters ago) and they are in the state park two miles down the road.

So, all those with experience, help me. Have you ever had problems?  What do you do when you see one on a walk? What are my odds of having problems again?  Any coyotes have such dark brown coat?  There was some tan markings, and even some spots, but mostly a mud brown.   The coyotes I have seen look Tan, not brown. 

I really, no longer want to walk. Creepy  I was going to go today, but I just would not leave my block.  Sad

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

How scary. Glad you and JD were ok.

[DJ & Chance]

I grew up around coyotes, and while they will kill small animals (small dogs, cats, rabbits, chickens, etc.), I don't think they are much of a danger to humans and dogs as big as Spud.  I often saw coyotes as I walked to school--hiding behind trees and watching me pass.  At night, children were equipped with powerful flashlights that could freeze a coyote (or deer for that matter) in its tracks.  

That being said, the first few encounters with a coyote can be spooky; and as they are displaced from natural habitats and forced to cope in different environments, their behaviors may well change to the detriment of humans and their furry friends.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

They love to hang out in neighborhoods where there are really gigantic evergreens that have lots of thick dense branches all the way to the ground. We have a couple of trees like that here in my older neighborhood, and the coyotes sleep under them.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Spud is kind of small  :(   He  is a medium and he gets all his weight in stockiness, not size if that makes sense.  This dog was the same size only longer and maybe an inch taller. 

What bothered me was that I saw the hips lower, just like a Shepherd.  Or it just liked to crouch down?   If this was a Shepherd, than I will be so upset as it has been lost a very very long time  :(

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The one we met was in a stalking position, if yours was, too, that could account for the hips. They really don't look very much like GSDs to me, more like huskies if I had to compare them to a certain breed of dog. But really, mostly they look like big foxes to me. Very pointy faces and longer fur.

[DJ & Chance]

 If I had been in your situation with my 15 lb pup, I would have been VERY uncomfortable even though I am familiar with coyotes.  Totally different situation from the coyotes a grew up with:  over time, we became familiar and unafraid of each other.  You, Spud, and that coyote were total strangers and had no clue how the other would behave.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Joanne, All kidding aside, I hope this never happens again to you. What about carrying some Dog Halt Spray or something?

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Just before I hit home, my neighbor looked up and was watching it. I yelled out, " Do you think that is a coyote"  He said Yes.

I think it is all fine they are there, just not during the day and not while I am out peeing on mailboxes.

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Stop peeing on mailboxes Joanne!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Joanne, we really have to find another outdoor activity for you besides peeing on mailboxes. I'm sure the coyote/German Shephard was just curious and stalking you to see how many mailboxes you were gonna pee on before you got home.

[Bonne Bouche]

Coyote or stray dog, you never know if it could be dangerous... I always carry mace with me... A lot of runners carry it I guess to protect from dogs, so I figure its an inexpensive way to offer me just a little extra protection.... Hopefully I'll never have to use it.

[BG and Gavin]

Your story gave me chills Joanne and Karen's story made my hair stand on end!  I have heard coyotes at the cottage a few times and the man down the road always warns us when they are around.  The farmers at the top of the hill kill them because they endanger their livestock.  The one night the screaming and howling was so close and scary I went inside.  They must have killed something.  The man down the road says they lure dogs away and then run them until exhausted then the pack can take down the dog.  Creepy.  Stay safe.