What do you do if a coyote is following you?
Sarah Smith
Published Jan 20, 2026
… lounging in a yard or approaching/following people
- Be as big and loud as possible. ...
- Wave your arms, clap your hands, and shout in an authoritative voice.
- Make noise by banging pots and pans or using an air horn or whistle. ...
- Throw small stones, sticks, tennis balls or anything else you can lay your hands on.
What to do if a coyote is next to you?
If you see a coyote during the daytime, you should exhibit caution, as that coyote may have become habituated to humans (and may be more likely to attack). If you are approached by a coyote, you should yell, wave your arms, and/or throw something at the coyote (do not run away).
What to do to scare off coyotes?
Try screaming, yelling, blowing a whistle, or using an air horn. You can add to the show by waving your arms over your head to make yourself seem like a larger threat. Spraying coyotes with a hose or by activating an installed sprinkler system is one way to both startle them and make the experience unpleasant.
How should you respond if you see a coyote?
Take These Immediate Steps
- Clap your hands loudly and firmly towards the animal.
- Respond to its presence aggressively by making yourself appear large (wave your arms overhead or swing objects like a walking stick at the coyote)
- Throw rocks, sticks or other objects to scare it away.
Will coyotes try to attack you?
Coyote attacks on people are very rare. More people are killed by errant golf balls and flying champagne corks each year than are bitten by coyotes. Often, coyote attacks are preventable by modifying human behavior and educating people about ways to prevent habituation.
43 related questions foundCan coyotes be friendly?
Coyotes and domestic dogs are very close relatives, so coyotes have been known to sometimes approach them socially. That can include the kind of bowing and tail-wagging that we all know means, “Be my friend!” in dog language.
Are coyotes scared of humans?
As a general rule, coyotes do have a healthy dose of fear about certain things. In truth, coyotes are afraid of people, objects thrown in their direction, loud noisemakers and sounds, bright lights, and predator urine. All of these can help to repel and deter coyotes from your property.
Do coyotes stalk dogs?
Small dogs and cats are often targeted by them in more urban areas. Coyotes have been known to shadow human joggers or larger dogs. Coyotes will shift their hunting techniques depending on the prey they are hunting. Their techniques primarily include stalking and pouncing or running their prey into another pack member.
Do whistles scare coyotes?
The Department of Wildlife also says to bring a noisemaker with you on your walks whether it be a whistle or even an air horn. Any type of loud noise should scare them away.
What sounds are coyotes afraid of?
Effective hazing noises that can deter coyotes include shouting authoritatively, making loud and startling banging noises, and sounding sirens and alarms. Coyotes can be a nuisance because of their wily nature.
What time of day are coyotes most active?
Coyotes are not strictly nocturnal. They may be observed during the day, but are generally more active after sunset and at night. You may see and hear coyotes more during mating season (January - March) and when the young are dispersing from family groups (October - January).
Does dog poop attract coyotes?
Your dog's feces can attract coyotes to your property, so keeping your yard or fields clear of poop can help lower the risk of attracting one. They will also eat fallen fruit, so picking up any windfalls is a good idea.
What do you do if you see a coyote at night?
Be as big and loud as possible. Do not run or turn your back. Wave your arms, clap your hands, and shout in an authoritative voice. Make noise by banging pots and pans or using an air horn or whistle.
How do you befriend a coyote?
Coyotes are wary of humans—humans are bigger than they are—and will not approach us unless they have been trained to do so through food-conditioning. So please do not feed or befriend a coyote! Give them the cold shoulder by practicing complete avoidance.
Will an air horn scare off a coyote?
One way to keep coyotes at bay is to use an air horn. Coyotes typically get scared of air horns and dislike the loud noise that they produce. Most portable air horns can be heard from up to a mile away, making them an effective tool for keeping coyotes away without having to get too close.
Are coyotes afraid of music?
As scary as they might be, coyotes are actually terrified of sudden loud sounds.
Why was a coyote following me and my dog?
Coyotes are rarely interested in humans, but add a dog to the mix and their interest is piqued. Larger dogs may be viewed as competition or threat, while smaller dogs may be viewed as potential prey.
What do you do if a coyote attacks your dog?
If your pet is attacked and bit by a coyote, it's paramount that you immediately go see your veterinarian. Your vet will likely treat the wound by cleaning it and starting a round of antibiotics. The vet may also give your animal a rabies vaccine booster if vaccine records indicate your pet needs one.
What to do if you encounter a coyote while walking your dog?
First and foremost, remain calm, keep eye contact, and slowly back away while leaving the area. Never run from a coyote, as you may trigger its predatory response and give it a reason to chase you. If you have any personal alarm devices such as a whistle, bell, or phone alarm, use them to scare or threaten the coyote.
Do coyotes roam in packs?
Coyotes typically have a highly organized social system, even in urban areas. This consists of packs, or groups, of coyotes that defend territories from other coyotes. In Cook County, coyotes have been identified as living in packs as well as traveling alone (solitary coyotes).
What does it mean to haze a coyote?
Hazing is a method that uses deterrents to move an animal out of an area or discourages an undesirable behavior or activity. Hazing can help maintain coyotes' fear of humans and deter them from neighborhood spaces such as backyards and playgrounds. REMEMBER… ▶ NEVER run away from a coyote!
What do coyotes do during the day?
Urban coyotes often change their schedule to avoid humans and will become nocturnal (active at night). During the day, they rest and move between dense vegetation. Rural coyotes are active during the day and use the time to move within their territory, hunt, and find mates during the mating season.
Why do coyotes make a laughing sound?
Coyotes Making Laughing Noises
Sometimes the yips and whistles that coyotes make can sound like laughs which is one of the main reasons listening to a pack of coyotes intermingle in the middle of the night can be so entertaining. The noise happens when the group of coyotes come together and begin making noise together.
How do you know if a coyote is around?
But first, find out whether you need to take action with these 4 ways to determine if coyotes are crossing your property.
- 1) The Noises at Night (and Sometimes During the Day) ...
- 2) The Scats (A Nice Word for Feces) ...
- 3) The Tracks (Similar, but Not Identical to Dogs) ...
- 4) Dead Animals (They're Food, Not Friends)
Where do coyotes sleep during the day?
Coyotes hide in covered open areas, raised grounds, or in dens during the day. Dens are most commonly seen in parks and forest areas, shrubbery, preserves, golf courses, and other such regions. These are difficult to come by in urban areas.