Coyote Problem

This would be one instance where I might try a shock collar.  The reason is that running so far off and getting into a tangle with a coyote could be dangerous, even fatal.  Prey drive is prey drive and with some dogs no amount of clicker training and recall exercises can convince them that you are more special than that coyote.  I'll take a few pricks to the neck over losing the dog any day. 

I would not be adverse to trying a shock collar, as long as it was a good one and I could find someone to train me how to use it properly.

I think this is a hard problem. We have a similar one over here with kangaroos. Roos smell good and are very exciting to chase. Jill will escape the yard and chase them until she's so exhausted she can barely stand.

The only thing that has been remotely useful for us is to run when the dogs see kangaroos. Sometimes they can be satisfied by running past the kangaroos instead of after them, and distracted by a game with a favoured toy. Ultimately, though, they can't be trusted off leash around the roos, because roos go a lot faster than us, so even if we run, the dogs don't think it's as fun as chasing roos. And even though one of them does have a very strong prey drive, the roos are still all about fun rather than the serious hunting it sounds like Hektor is doing. I was trying to train Penny to hold off chasing the roos, at least until I said she could at some stage because it was upsetting my bird field work, but Penny is far more amenable about these things. She likes to chase the kangaroos, but it doesn't get her nearly as excited as it does the other dogs.

 I went to a shock collar trainer for rattlesnake aversion training for Ixa. It's a relief to hike with her without worrying about her pursuing something so dangerous.

The trainer who did the session is really top notch. His expertise in timing and proofing was worth every penny I paid for the very efficient and well run 15 minute session ($70).

 
Or, you could try catching some coyotes and putting hot sauce on 'em so that when Hektor catches them they taste bad ... LOL!
 

 Very tough situation. I would try a shock collar as well. Call some trainers in your area to see what they think.

 I tried the drop command this morning and he did not listen. Mind you he had already hit the coyote and the entire situation took me very much by suprise. When out on walks I am always looking ahead and am alert for something and if I see anything I will call the dogs most times before they have alerted to its presence.

Ixas_girl

Or, you could try catching some coyotes and putting hot sauce on 'em so that when Hektor catches them they taste bad ... LOL!

Hektor was born in Texas! He LOVES hot sauce!

Dgriego, do you have an "On" command to tell Hektor when it's ok to hunt?  

I found that using the "On" command gave me the ability to teach an "Off" command with regards to the hunt.

That's one thought....

The entire situation is a bit on the extreme.  Dogos were multi-purpose dogs used to guard property, if I'm not mistaken.  And incursion by coyote or other predator is something that comes natural to him by instinct. 

What scares me is that it's possible that this is not a lone coyote. Coyotes are known to prey upon dogs in this manner...send one in and lure a dog to an ambush.  

E-collars might be an extreme option in this particular case, but they also might save Hektor's life. 

 What about walking your dog with a very loud cow bell type thing on him? That way the coyotes will hear him coming and have time to move off?

.

Xerxes

Dgriego, do you have an "On" command to tell Hektor when it's ok to hunt?  

 I have not hunted him so I do not have any commands that tell him it is okay to hunt. I am trying to get in touch with some people who hunt pigs here in New Mexico and maybe get him started doing that.

Xerxes

Dogos were multi-purpose dogs used to guard property, if I'm not mistaken. 

 Dogo's are bred to hunt large game, mainly boar but also puma in their native Argentina. They also make good guardians but their primary purpose is to hunt. They hold the boar down, normally by the head until the hunter arrives and dispatches it with a knife

Xerxes

What scares me is that it's possible that this is not a lone coyote. Coyotes are known to prey upon dogs in this manner...send one in and lure a dog to an ambush.

 This is also a concern of mine. I do not think he would pause for a moment even if there were multiple coyotes.

dgriego

 This is also a concern of mine. I do not think he would pause for a moment even if there were multiple coyotes

Then maybe the shock collar w/ an experienced trainer can help.  I think it's pretty natural for a dog to run after other animals he's not used to, and you don't want him to get hurt.  Since you're not always aware of the coyotes like your dog obviously is, maybe look into the shock collar and see how you feel about it and working w/ a pro may help ease your concerns.  That to me seems your only alternative, thus far.  Good Luck!

Crusher is trained for recall on a shock collar.  I've called him off deer with it.  

As long as your dog already has a solid recall aside from around coyotes, it could work well.  I didn't have access to any trainers so I did as much research on it as I could before I even went out and bought one.  

The only other thing I might suggest is other forms of exercise.  Have you tried him in harness?  Its hard to chase coyotes with a 150 pound cart tied to your butt.... 

huskymom

The only other thing I might suggest is other forms of exercise.  Have you tried him in harness?  Its hard to chase coyotes with a 150 pound cart tied to your butt.... 

 LOL that is SO VERY tempting! I thought about putting him in harness and having him drag an old tire around or something similar.

  As for the shock collar for recalls. Do you use the vibration as the signal to return? Hektor has a pretty reliable recall, I can call him off rabbits and coyotes if I catch him at the right moment. Once he is fully engaged he does not listen but returns straight away after losing the prey.

 If you decide to use aversion training, please get a good trainer to help you - this is not without risk, and someone with sloppy timing or a bad attitude will not be a help.  Go and watch a session or two before you agree to have anyone use a shock collar on your dog.  Personally, I would prefer to attempt to train a proper recall that works in all circumstances, but if you can't reach that goal and want to use the collar, please be careful who you trust.  You could also try a Spray Commander first, to see if that works, and you might not have use the e-collar.