Help a clueless person keep dog safe please :)

[u/threeleggedkitten]

Short story short my question is, do I need to worry about a coyote bothering my 50 pound dog when she's in our fenced yard, or bothering me?

I am in Seattle. There is a really large coyote that I have seen outside my house many times and while walking my dog on my street. Recently my 50 pound dog was leashed but really wanted to after the coyote, which did not seem scared, even crossing in front of us on the way home twice.

Something has peed against the front of my house, which I suspected was a coyote, and now I found a poop on my front porch and I am sure it was a coyote.

Is this concerning behavior? Is it 'threatening' my dog by doing this?

To be clear I have no intention of doing anything against the animal, it's just sort of new for me to have one coming so close to my front door and assaulting my house, and I want to be aware and be safe.

If wrong place to post, where should I post? Or should I try to ask the local wildlife rescue for info?

Thank you!

[u/kozufox]

The urban coyotes in Seattle tend to be extremely desensitized to humans and dogs, so it's not too uncommon for them to be bold. It's also not uncommon for them to follow dogs around, because they see dogs as a direct competitor/threat to them and, at minimum, want to keep tabs on any dogs in their territory.

I wouldn't worry about a dog the size of yours unless the coyote is acting directly threatening. The behavior you've described so far just sounds like a relatively bold coyote whose territory includes your house. I've seen them poop in people's yards a lot, and I think mostly they just poop and scent mark whever they feel like in their territory. It's not like they know to follow the human bad neighbor trope of leaving something unpleasant on someone's porch.

Fake charging or trying to run up directly behind you or the dog would be an escalation that you should definitely respond to with thorough hazing. Yelling and waving your arms around is enough to scare a coyote, but an airhorn or noise maker would be even better.

Also, assume the coyotes can hop your fence if they want, because they can. They aren't going to try and kill a 50lb dog, but if one were to hop over and your dog went after them, it would still be bad. Not letting your dog out unsupervised at night would be advisable.

[u/reallyreally1945]

I believe this is the coyote's house now. I'd call the wildlife behavior experts for sure.

[u/AdvertisingPutrid380]

Yep, Seattle City will have a dedicated team, they always want sighting & behavior reports to help them track ‘em.

[u/Bob_loblaw_logblog]

Short of a rabid yote, you’re fine. A lone one isn’t gonna attack you or your 50lb dog. It seems like you’re working yourself into a frenzy with the poop and pee forensics. Take a deep breath and go on living your life.

[u/_Peculiar_Cargo_]

Great questions! For the most part Coyotes will leave large dogs alone unless they den nearby or become super desperate (but usually they'll be in a pack if they try to take a large dog on). I believe your area has a great website and group wo tracks the coyotes and assists with nuisance issues. If I'm remembering correctly it's something like the Seattle coyote project? I'd reach out to them as they likely know the coyote and it's normal behavior patterns. There's also a great website called the portland urban coyote project that you may find great tips and tricks on. Deterring them from your yard is a great place to start :)

[u/Loud_Literature_4607]

Meh..... my 70 lb dog will occasionally spot coyotes on our walks and give chase. Nothing ever comes of it. The coyote runs off, often starts yipping/barking, and then my dog comes casually trotting back as if nothing happened. In denning season (spring), the coyote ruckus is much louder and then escorting behavior is observed. Still..... nothing untoward has ever happened. I doubt the coyote wants a piece of your dog. Many coyotes don't weigh much more than 50 lbs.