small pups are spooked and running for cover
Three times in the span of half a morning, I saw coyote pups spook and run for cover! They have good instincts, or they have been well trained.
The first time was when they became aware that I was focused on them. That stopped their play dead and they ran into hiding. I left, but found another more hidden spot from which to watch them later on.
mother coyote trying to ward off two dogs
The second time they spooked was when Mom appeared in the distance — it was the far distance — keeping two dogs at bay and eventually running from the dogs as they chased her. The pups had been romping and playing on a hillside, but again, they looked up and froze in their places when they saw the scene, being instantaneously alerted to danger, and they ran for cover, not to emerge for several hours.
pups saw this chase — dogs after their mother
Later on, they were again frolicking behind some bushes when another dog started barking. All action stopped, even though the dog was nowhere in sight, and they ran for cover, not to emerge again while I was there.
In fact, right after this, this litter of pups was moved from this location and I have not seen them out in the open since this time.
Coyote Yipps 
Jul 20, 2013 @ 06:37:22
So interesting. I hope the mother found a safe spot for them to frolick.
Jul 20, 2013 @ 12:24:05
Hi Charlotte —
Coyote families maintain several den areas which they “transfer” their pups between for health and safety reasons: for instance, when the fleas build up or when they feel a threat of any kind. So I’m not at all worried about them. Janet