christinepi Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 (edited) I let Tracker loose in my 2 acres fenced in field (former goat pasture) every few days so he can run (we live in a rural area). This morning, right after I took off the leash, he immediately put his nose to the ground and got really excited. He started tracking something like a bloodhound. When I looked into the direction he was headed towards, I noticed a coyote at the far end of the field, running along the fence to find an escape route. The poor guy kept jumping up the fence to get across and couldn't. He was clearly in a panic. Tracker spotted him at the same time and took off like a bullet. I had no idea what to do--recall isn't exactly Tracker's strength and he would have never "heard" me anyway. I had no idea whom I had to worry more about. Anyway, the coyote realized he couldn't jump the fence so he decided to run, and he did so towards me. He ran like a rabbit--changing direction constantly, which worked pretty well. Tracker had a blast and didn't look like he was actually really serious about getting the coyote, because I think he could have, had he tried. Eventually, Tracker cornered the coyote into a fence corner, after he (the coyote) bashed into the fence near me pretty hard (I just cringed, but he seemed unharmed). Tracker clearly didn't know what to do next, he just stood there watching the coyote. He then approached him slowly, the coyote lunged at him and bit him in his hock, which made Tracker yelp, back off, and just stand there looking. By that time, I had fetched the leash, called Tracker, and he immediately responded, to my major surprise, by slowly walking towards me. The coyote, in the meantime, did the only smart thing, which was to not move. We left the field and I left the gate wide open so the coyote could leave later. I have no idea how he got in there, because all gates are always closed, but maybe he had the time to push through a narrow gap somewhere when he first entered. Tracker has a less than dime size wound, that's clean and will heal nicely. Maybe my dog simply doesn't have enough of a prey drive (something to be grateful for)? Anyway, suffice it to say I'll check the pasture for uninvited guests in the future before I let the dog loose. Edited November 9, 2012 by christinepi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RMarie Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Whew! Glad he wasn't badly injured. That could have been a nasty encounter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greytone Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Oh my goodness! How scary! My hubby and I live in the county with 7.5 acres and I am constantly worried about wild life getting in the fenced in area. I know we've had deer, coons, rabbits, and cats in the fenced in area but they've gotten out by themselves. I guess I've just gotten in a habit of turning on the backyard light and then take the flashlight and shine for other furry creatures. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RooMcClanahan Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Holy cow, Tracker earned his name tonight! So glad everyone is relatively ok. Very impressive that you were able to keep a cool, clear head throughout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlies_Dad Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 That is good news Tracker and you are okay. Any cornered animal will fight so it's good the bite wasn't worse. Quote Kyle with Stewie ('Super C Ledoux, Super C Sampson x Sing It Blondie) and forever missing my three angels, Jack ('Roy Jack', Greys Flambeau x Miss Cobblepot) and Charlie ('CTR Midas Touch', Leo's Midas x Hallo Argentina) and Shelby ('Shari's Hooty', Flying Viper x Shari Carusi) running free across the bridge. Gus an coinnich sinn a'rithist my boys and little girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annette Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 When we lived on the Illinois side of Terre Haute, Indiana we had 17 1/2 acres and our gh, Icabod. He actually was off leash whenever on our property (never anywhere else). There was still a short stretch of fence left from a cow pasture. Icabod had absolutely no prey drive. While he was sniffing away near an abandoned tractor trailer I saw what I thought was a dog jump the fence, then another, then yet another. They all looked identical, then I realized they were coyotes. They were running like he!! to get out of there. Icabod never noticed them. We had loads of coyotes down there. Quote Annette, mom to Banjo (AJN Spider Man) & Casey (kitty), wife to Roy. Mom to bridgekids: Wheat (GH), Icabod (GH), Scarlett (Cab's Peg Bundy), Rhett (Kiowa Day Juice), Dixie (Pazzo Dixie), Pogo/Gleason (Rambunctious), and Miriam (Miriam of Ruckus) and Spooky, Taffy, Garfield, & Lefty (kitties) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greybookends Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Glad Tracker wasn't hurt. However since he did get bit you might want to take him to the vet to get a rabies booster just to be on the safe side. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christinepi Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 Thanks for the suggestion. he actually got his most recent rabies shot only 3 months ago. But I'm wondering does anyone know about any other coyote communicable diseases? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greysmom Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I'm really not that surprised. Only two of our eight greyhounds (lifetime, we only have four at home now) have had any clue what to do with an animal once they catch it. It's almost like once the "prey" stops moving, they're stumped, and they just stand there and wait for it to move again. On their own anyway. If they're in a pack, all bets are off and any small animal is usually extremely unlucky. Quote Chris - Mom to: Felicity (DeLand), and Andi (Braska Pandora) siggy by Chris Harper, on Flickr Angels: Libby (Everlast), Dorie (Dog Gone Holly), Dude (TNJ VooDoo), Copper (Kid's Copper), Cash (GSI Payncash), Toni (LPH Cry Baby), Whiskey (KT's Phys Ed), Atom, Lilly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreyAcresMom Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 OMG !!!! You are so very lucky. We live in a very rural area and coyotes generally dig under to get in our yard. Also 2.5 acres, fully fenced. The coyote got our tri-pod grey. Ripped he skin all the way off on her right side. We think the only reason She "got-away" was the other 5 Greys heard her yelp and came out to see what was going on and scared it away. Quote Sheila and COwww.greyacres.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest grey_dreams Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Glad to hear that Tracker is ok. Maybe a vet trip would be worth it, let the vet look at and treat the wound and tell you about other possible complications. I'm sure you will be checking the area pretty grood now. Really happy to hear that the incident wasn't worse. OMG !!!! You are so very lucky. We live in a very rural area and coyotes generally dig under to get in our yard. Also 2.5 acres, fully fenced. The coyote got our tri-pod grey. Ripped he skin all the way off on her right side. We think the only reason She "got-away" was the other 5 Greys heard her yelp and came out to see what was going on and scared it away. Wow, I hope she is ok! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest june Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Years ago when I had goldens I had a similar incident, but lucky for my dog the coyote got out of the fence. Very scary. Glad Tracker is OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgeofNE Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Oh, the poor thing! Must have been terrified. I know a Greyhound who died crashing into a fence...so all in all it worked out OK, but I would have the bite looked at I think. Quote Susan, Hamish, Mister Bigglesworth and Nikita Stanislav. Missing Ming, George, and Buck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazehund Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Glad Tracker wasn't hurt. However since he did get bit you might want to take him to the vet to get a rabies booster just to be on the safe side. Exactly my thought. My dogs have run coyotes many times, but the coyotes (and deer and whatever else) always have space to get away. Glad your guy is o.k. and there was not more than one coyote trapped in the pen. Thanks for the suggestion. he actually got his most recent rabies shot only 3 months ago. But I'm wondering does anyone know about any other coyote communicable diseases? Distemper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cleptogrey Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 yup, call your vet. there probably is a protocall after the coyote bite. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greybookends Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Thanks for the suggestion. he actually got his most recent rabies shot only 3 months ago. But I'm wondering does anyone know about any other coyote communicable diseases? A few years ago 4 of mine caught a cat in the back yard. The cat did not go down quietly. The cat had no tags. The vet gave ALL of them a rabies booster even Bill who had just gotten his rabies just the month before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JAJ2010 Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 How scary! Glad he's ok. I'm pretty minimal about vaccines but I would call the vet and see abotu getting boosters if needed. Quote ------ Jessica Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greytpups Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I'd definately make time for a vet visit...infections, whatever. Tracker is very very lucky. Unfortunately we also have coyotes in our neighbourhood and we live in the suburbs. Quote Jan with precious pups Emmy (Stormin J Flag) and Simon (Nitro Si) and Abbey Field. Missing my angels: Bailey Buffetbobleclair 11/11/98-17/12/09; Ben Task Rapid Wave 5/5/02-2/11/15; Brooke Glo's Destroyer 7/09/06-21/06/16 and Katie Crazykatiebug 12/11/06 -21/08/21. My blog about grief The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it. You will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same. Nor should you be the same, nor would you want to. ― Elisabeth Kübler-Ross Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Downtownhoundz Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I would've been so scared and probably pooped in my pants ! So glad everything turned out ok! Glad I have a small yard! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
christinepi Posted November 9, 2012 Author Share Posted November 9, 2012 I took him to the vet this morning, they cleaned out the bite spots and put him on antibiotics. He's clearly in some pain now, so I'll also give him Rimadyl. Yeah, I think we were pretty lucky all in all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busderpuddle Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I would have been terrified too ! So glad things didn't get any worse and hoping Tracker heals well. Quote Karen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
a_daerr Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 I would've been so scared and probably pooped in my pants ! So glad everything turned out ok! Glad I have a small yard! I don't mean to hijack this thread, but SPOOT WARNING!! I just laughed so hard that my coworkers came around to ask what was so funny. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WhiteWave Posted November 9, 2012 Share Posted November 9, 2012 Glad Tracker was ok! That was probably way more exciting than our rabbit Ronon and Joey went after hiking! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreytNut Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 Whoooo, that was scary. I'm glad your boy is OK and the coyote made it out relatively unscathed. Did the vet give a rabies booster? Usually if it's been more than 2 weeks since their last booster they'll give them another if the dog has been bitten by a suspected rabid animal. Mine turn into psychopaths when they see a coyote. Even gentle Raven. They get a crazy gleam in their eyes and snarl and bark so hard spit flies from their mouths. You don't need a translator to hear them barking, "Kill! Kill! Kill!" Not sure what it is about coyotes that inspires such hatred, but it's frightening to behold. Several years ago we had a bad experience once involving several coyotes trying to incite my dogs into jumping the fence so they could pack up on them, the dogs flinging themselves against the fence to get at them and me in my pajamas trying to drag two enraged hounds back to the house through 3 1/2 feet of snow without getting bitten. Fun. Not. Quote Kristen with Penguin (L the Penguin) Flying Penske x L Alysana Costarring The Fabulous Felines: Squeak, Merlin, Bailey & Mystic Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartdogs Posted November 14, 2012 Share Posted November 14, 2012 There is nothing worse than greys & coyotes fighting. My daughter has a wonderful girl that was used to fight coyotes & has terrible scars where she was almost ripped in to two parts, now Comet hates to hear the howling. Please don't let your dog do this again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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