Ever had a coyote quietly tail you on a walk? It’s an odd feeling—sometimes unnerving. You might start wondering if you’re in danger or if the animal’s up to no good.
But honestly, most coyotes just follow out of curiosity or because they’re guarding their turf. They don’t usually want a fight or plan to attack.
Coyotes living near cities have figured out how to live around people. They might follow you to size you up or to make sure you’re not a threat to their pups or den.
Sometimes, if a coyote has found food near humans before, it’ll hang around hoping for another easy meal. Understanding these motives can help you stay calm and make smart choices during an encounter.
If you’re curious about why coyotes act this way and what you should do, let’s get into it.
Why a Coyote Might Follow You
Coyotes rarely follow people to attack them. Most just want to watch you, protect their space, or see if you’ve got food.
Knowing these reasons can help you keep your cool.
Territorial “Escorting” Behavior
Coyotes sometimes follow you to escort you out of their territory. They don’t want to hunt you down.
They just want you to leave their home, especially if it’s breeding season or there are pups nearby.
If a coyote follows you calmly and at a distance, it’s basically saying, “Hey, please go away.” This is how they avoid direct conflict.
You might see them keeping some space but not losing sight of you.
If this happens, don’t run. Stand tall, back away slowly, and keep your dog close.
Coyotes just want you to respect their boundaries.
Protection of Offspring
Coyotes get extra protective when pups are around. If you wander near their den in spring or early summer, they’ll watch you closely.
They want to make sure nothing threatens their babies.
Parents might act more bold—sometimes making noise or looking aggressive—to send a clear message.
Their main goal is to keep you and your pets away from their pups.
If you notice a coyote shadowing you near a den, just leave calmly. Keep your pets leashed so everyone stays safe.
The parents don’t want a fight—they just want you gone.
Attraction to Food and Feeding Habits
Some coyotes follow people because they’ve learned humans mean food. If folks leave pet food out, let garbage pile up, or feed coyotes on purpose, the animals start expecting snacks.
That’s called habituation, where coyotes lose their fear of people. It can get risky, leading to close encounters or even aggressive behavior.
To prevent this, don’t feed coyotes or leave food where they can get it. Lock up your garbage and bring pet food inside.
If a coyote follows you looking for food, make some noise or use a deterrent to remind it to keep its distance.
Want more details? Check out coyote escorting behavior and safety tips.
How to Respond When a Coyote Follows You
If a coyote follows you, staying calm and paying attention matters. Knowing what the animal’s body language says and keeping your pets close can help you avoid trouble.
Recognizing Coyote Body Language
Coyotes give away their intentions with body language. If one stands still, watches with ears forward, and keeps its tail relaxed, it’s probably just curious or cautious.
A coyote that lowers its body, tucks its tail, or avoids looking at you feels nervous and wants to avoid you.
If you see growling, bared teeth, or lunging, that’s aggression—so be extra careful. But most of the time, they’re just trying to “escort” you away from their territory or pups.
Paying attention to these signals helps you decide when to stay calm and when to get more assertive.
Safety Tips for Walking with Pets
Coyotes sometimes see small pets as prey or rivals. When you walk your dog, use a short leash and keep your pet close.
Retractable leashes aren’t great—they give coyotes a chance to get near your pet.
If a coyote shows up, pick up small pets or keep bigger dogs close. Don’t let your animals roam free, especially at dawn, dusk, or night.
Carrying a whistle or noise maker can scare off coyotes if they get too close. Keep an eye on your pets and bring in any food that could attract wild animals.
Steps to Deter Approaching Coyotes
If you spot a coyote following or getting too close, stand your ground and act like you mean it.
Try these steps to make it think twice:
- Make yourself look bigger—raise your arms or open up your jacket. Anything to look less like prey.
- Get loud. Shout, clap, or use a noise maker if you have one.
- Back away slowly, but don’t turn your back or bolt. Running? That’s just asking for a chase.
- Got a stick or an umbrella? Hold it up high and look as intimidating as you can.
Never feed coyotes, and honestly, don’t run from them. If you stay calm and stand firm, most coyotes will eventually lose interest once you’re not near their pups or territory anymore.
Curious for more details? Check out What should I do if a coyote follows me or does not respond to hazing?.
