How to start an adult dog on coyotes

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Gatorgrizz27

New member
I've got a GSP/Lab adult that I would like to see if he has what it takes to work coyotes. From what I've seen people look for in a dog, he fits the criteria, but I haven't found much about the "how to".

He is extremely intelligent, fully obedience trained off lead, and has the speed/endurance to outrun a yote. If I take him in the woods to excercise he will run along the trail out front and criss cross, working the woods and brush on both sides, smelling and staying within whatever range I let him work in, checking back in with me every minute or so.

He is not territorial or aggressive towards other dogs, but is extremely gritty and will fight another dog if it tries to bite him. He has killed several coons, but when other dogs have pushed him to fight he grabs them by the side of their face and locks on, which if it happened with a yote should allow me to walk out to it and dispatch it.

When trying to train a dog to decoy, do you simply let them run and work out in front of you, and then call them to keep them within range and call them back once a yote starts following them? I don't use an e-collar on him currently but it would be simple to train him to come with the vibration of the collar instead of the verbal command.

He shows interest in the scents of quail, rabbits, waterfowl, deer and hogs, but not other dogs or livestock. Is the scent of a coyote instinctively interesting to them, or do you train them like a scent hound by dragging the hide or blood of one and putting rewards along the trail?

Finally, if a pack of yotes circle around a dog, will they typically scatter if you shoot one or two, or if you stand up and try to scare them off the dog, or will they be too focused on fighting him to notice? Thanks for the advice.
 
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Ok, I'll try.....

I like a dog that runs around. I don't like my dog to sit next to me! While he is running around any coyote that will be coming in will focus his attention on the dog, and not you. Thus giving you a chance to either get ready for the shot and of take the shot. If your dog is "gamey" with coons, chances are he won't like the coyotes either. I used my GSP to train my first coyote dog.
When I sent you that PM, it was so you could determine what he would do, and not be cruel. You will find out pretty quick.

What your dog does is a personal preference for you. What works for you may not be suitable for everyone else, terrains vary as do the coyotes....some are far more aggressive than others. A pack of coyotes is pretty rare, most of the time the adults will deal with the intruder, not the young. During the spring when coyotes are denned up is when they are very protective of their area and will not tolerate any stranger around.

I would suggest that you train him with a tone to come back. If he reacts the way mine do, he will give chase that's when you need to have him trained to get back on the tone command.

I have never used a dog that could outrun a coyote....watch Jeff's dogs, they've got the game figured out. Like I said earlier, it's a matter of preference. Jeff's dogs afford him a ton of chances to take the shot. Jeff is far more patient than I, lol. And I have often told him of such....

Good luck and enjoy your quest with your dog. Hopefully I gave you some useful information to use.
 
I think too many guys worry about their dog getting hurt. Jeff has 57 videos and of all the action and contact you see not one instance did his dog have more than a scratch. Sure it could happen but it's definetly not a concern of mine. My dogs have had a few bite wounds but nothing that was of any concern.
 
Put a coyote in front of your dog and leave your gun alone and see what happens. Your dog will either have it or he won't if your worried about your dog and his ability to take care of himself enter him in some dog shows and don't hunt him. Good hunting dogs have scars. And i seriously doubt your dog can catch a healthy adult coyote. My dog was two yrs old when i got him. He has worked every coyote he's ever seen. Sometimes the coyote don't work but he always goes to them.
 
Like the others have said, just get out there and see what he does.

ps: I doubt any dog with Lab in them can outrun a yote. Not to worry though, outrunning the yote is not the purpose.
 
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