The guidelines are simple: keep away and walk away from a coyote the minute you see one, especially if you have a dog: respect their need for space.
Most of the time a coyote will simply scurry away from you and your dog, but you have to be prepared for the few instances when this does not happen. In fact, it might be safer to *expect* to run into a coyote if you have a dog and try to understand the situation and know what to do if this happens.
This is pupping season which actualy goes on thru the fall. Coyotes are especially pro-actively protective of themselves and their spaces around densites. They protect a good 1/4th mile radius — it is this entire area that the pups will soon be exploring.
Please keep dogs leashed anywhere there might be coyotes — this is mostly to keep dogs from chasing coyotes, or from running off to where they might attract a coyote’s ire, but please also be aware that a leash does not protect your pet during a coyote/dog encounter, it just allows you to control 1/2 of the equation. Note also that dogs and coyotes do not like each other: all canids, including wolves and foxes, exclude the others from their territories.
We have about twenty coyote family territories here in San Francisco and these cover the entirety of the city: you should be prepared for a coyote appearing anywhere here, and any time of the day, although most of their activity begins at dusk and goes on through dawn.
A coyote might follow you out of curiosity or to escort you away from an area: Just keep walking away from that coyote without running, picking up a small dog as you go, and dragging your larger dog if you have to. IF the coyote comes critically close — which he probably won’t if you keep walking away from him — you’ll have to scare that coyote away. But the main point is to keep waling on.
If you need to scare away a coyote who has approached to within a critically close range, the best way I have found to scare him off is with a handful of gravel thrown angrily, viciously and louds TOWARDS the coyote (not at him). This disarms them — it’s a little like shrapnell — and makes them pause and reconsider.
Dens are not often marked by the park departments, because they don’t know where they are: coyotes choose secret places, mostly in out of the way spaces.
Focusing on a coyote and walking towards him is what you don’t want to do — it makes them feel like you are after them. So instead, do the opposite!
BTW, I’m a self-taught naturalist, not an academic, with 18 years of every single day observing them: their individual behaviors, their family life, and their behavior towards pets and people.
Stay safe out there, for yours and theirs.
If you prefer reading the above material in bullet point fashion, here it is:
➡️ Walk Away the Moment You See a Coyote
Whether the coyote seems curious or indifferent, just calmly and steadily walk away. Pick up small dogs and keep moving. Don’t stare or approach the animal.
➡️ Coyotes Will Often Avoid You — But Not Always
While most coyotes will scurry off, you should expect an encounter eventually if you walk dogs regularly. Knowing what to do makes all the difference.
➡️Note that SF has about 20 coyote territories, covering the entirety of the city — and I’ve seen pups in 14 of them so far: in other words, a coyote can be seen anywhere and anytime, though mostly from dusk to dawn.
➡️ Dogs and Coyotes Don’t Mix
Coyotes see dogs as rivals — just like wolves and foxes. Being leashed helps you control your dog, but it doesn’t “protect” your pet in an encounter.
➡️ If Followed, Keep Moving
Sometimes coyotes follow out of curiosity or to *escort* you out of the area. Don’t panic — just continue walking away without engaging. This alone will usually diffuse the situation.
➡️ If a Coyote Comes Too Close
However, IF the coyote gets too close, you’ll need to scare it away. A handful of gravel thrown forcefully and loudly toward the coyote can break its focus and send it running. Yell loudly while doing this. It’s like a burst of shrapnel that startles them.
➡️ Dens Are Hidden
Don’t rely on signage — dens aren’t marked and are usually in quiet, hard-to-find places. The best protection is to stay vigilant and give all coyotes a wide berth, especially now.
➡️ Don’t Walk Toward a Coyote
Coyotes interpret this as aggression. Instead, always move calmly and steadily away.
And if you prefer a quick summary checklist, here it is:
- See a coyote? MOST IMPORTANTLY: Walk away immediately, especially if you have a dog.
- Dogs and coyotes are territorial rivals — they don’t like each other.
- Respect their space — don’t approach or stare them down.
- Always assume you’ll see coyotes when you’re walking a dog, especially during pupping season and be prepared.
- Note that SF has about 20 coyote territories, covering the entirety of the city — and I’ve seen pups in 14 of them so far: in other words, a coyote can be seen anywhere and anytime, though mostly from dusk to dawn.
- It’s pupping season (spring through fall) — coyotes are extra protective right now.
- Dens are hidden and not marked — stay alert in all natural areas.
- Coyotes protect ¼ mile radius or more around their dens — it’s important to know this.
- A leash helps you control your dog, but doesn’t protect it from a coyote.
- If followed or escorted by a coyote, stay calm and keep walking away.
- Pick up small dogs, drag large ones if needed, but keep walking away.
- If a coyote gets too close, best scare tactic involves yelling and throwing gravel toward (not at) it.
- Never walk toward a coyote — it feels threatening to them. Always move away.
Additional information about the denning season: [https://discoverwildcare.org/understanding-coyote-denning-behavior/]
🧭 About me: I’m a self-taught naturalist with 18 years of daily observations of coyotes — I document their individual behavior, family life, and interactions with pets and people. My advice comes from lived experience, not theory.
And here’s more if you happen to get The Mercury News (subscription is needed): https://www.mercurynews.com/2025/07/03/coyote-safety-parks/
