I hike in nearby forests several times every week. I love to see the wild life such as deer and other animals, but coyotes have been an issue. I let my dog(s) off leash when we’re there to let them stretch their legs a bit in the open fields. Their recall is excellent and has never been a problem. I was told by a park ranger that someones small dog had been attacked and possibly killed by a coyote in the same forest. Then last year I was there without my dogs, but with a friend and his Manchester terrier mix (~30 lbs) and the dog took off after a coyote. The coyote ran far across a field and then turned around and chased my friends dog back towards us. This coyote didn’t show a lot of fear of us and came probably 30 yards away before turning back around. There were more coyotes nearby as well and I assume they were trying to “lure” this dog to the pack. Luckily he got away. My friend thinks they were all just trying to play : / I seriously doubt that.
So fast forward – I now have a 12 month old 95lb male Rottweiler that I take to this same area. His recall is excellent, but when we see a coyote he wants to go “play” with it and starts off after it. I call him back and he immediately listens. I’m a little nervous about him getting attacked since these coyotes don’t seem very bashful. I would go to another forest, but this one has great trails, great views, dog friendly(besides the coyotes), and is the only one nearby. A friend of mine suggested getting a spiked collar so that if he does get bitten by a coyote he’ll have some protection. I don’t mind other people thinking that I’m trying to be a tough guy by having it, and I only plan on having it for the forest hikes. What do you think? Chances are that he will never have an altercation, but I would rather be safe than sorry. Let me know your thoughts on this. Also, where can one for this purpose be purchased? Any disadvantages (besides having people think I’m a thug) to doing this? I assume that they will leave my boy alone because of his size but I dont want to risk losing him. Almost daily they're getting too close for comfort. They'll walk up then run away then see he's not following (because I tell him not to) and come back to do it more. I bang some sticks or blow a whistle and they scare off for a bit.
Sorry for such a long post – I’ve been a lurker on the forum for a LONG time!

Also these coyotes aren't like the small ones I've seen in the past. The larger of the group looked 55 lbs? The friend that suggested the spiked collar linked me to a website about sheep dogs that fend off wolves from the flock. They wear a protective spiked collar.

Where do you live? Are we talking Eastern coyotes?

Also, do you bring treats along on these outings? It may seem obvious that food will attract them, but it only takes one person in the area to feed them and they will be much more bold.

about 40 minutes west of Chicago. This is a huge forest preserve in my area. I've heard lots of comments about them being extra large around here. I dont have any idea why that would be though..

A single dog of any size is not going to have a chance against a pack of coyotes within their territory.
Do not, I repeat, do not even allow your dog to entertain the thought of chasing or 'playing' with those animals.

In this part of the world coyotes are shot on sight. Ugly? Yes, but they don't hang about and stay where they belong.....well away in the wild.

How does a collar protect from being disemboweled?

I don't really see a 95 lb. Rottweiler being much of a worry to a coyote or 2. They won't be impressed by his size and can tear him apart like any other smaller dog. Not downing your dog, but am trying to pop that false sense of security that his size may give you. These guys are out there killing to live while our dogs are drinking out of toilets.

If this is a real concern, find a new place to exercise. Avoid them. Don't test them. You and your dog will lose.

Welcome to the forum!

I do not bring treats to the forests with me generally. Maybe either my dog or I smell like food though? I can't imagine someone feeding these coyotes, but that's definitely possible.

I can't imagine a domestic dog wanting to 'play' with a coyote or wolf. At least the livestock guardian breeds are bred to repel all canids (sp?), including dogs. Don't we have an ongoing challenge socializing our dogs to other dogs because of this inherent instinct?

When Jethro catches scent of a coyote in our neighbourhood his hackles go up and he goes into hyper arousal. I know he has never killed anything - or bitten for that matter - but I think the coyotes would bring that out of him if he had a chance.

If I couldn't keep Jethro out of trouble with coyotes, I wouldn't be able to let him off leash. You can still take your dog into the forest, you might have to limit the time for free run and leg stretching to open areas where you are actively engaged with your dog until you have him back on leash.

You say these coyotes have a history of dog killing? Then your pup is not going to be safe anywhere near them. Well, perhaps body armor and an inverted prong collar? But what fun is that?

They might not be feeding them directly, but it dosent take long for them to connect the scraps from a picinic lunch to humans.

I sounds by the size of them and your location that they are probalby Eastern coyotes. They are bigger than the ones out West. While they are still generaly shy, they are more aggressive than their western cousins.

Eastern coyotes are more aggressive in winter, mostly because of food shortages but also because it is mating season. If your dog is intact you should be extra careful this time of year. They may see him as competition. You have to remember that they are completely wild animals. They don't lure dogs for the fun of it, they do it for survival.

Michael is right about not getting too comfortable because of your dogs size. I know of an American bulldog that was nearly killed by coyotes, and there was a lab that was simply outright attacked two years ago at my local park.

Both of these incidents were in the winter.

If I was having these experiences, I would put off the hikes untill mid March.