Dog Wearing Coyote Spike Vest: Ultimate Safety Gear

Okay, so the other day, I was freaking out about coyotes. We live near this open space, and I've seen them lurking, eyeing my little fluffy, Max. He's a Yorkie mix, and let's be real, he's basically a walking appetizer for a hungry coyote. So, I started looking into ways to protect him, beyond just keeping him on a short leash. That's when I stumbled upon these "coyote vests" for dogs.

Making the Vest

First things first, I'm a practical person. I am not spending a fortune on something I might be able to craft myself. So, I gathered my materials.

• Old denim jacket: Gotta be tough, right? I used one of my husband's old work jackets.
• Spikes: I found these metal studs at the craft store – the kind you'd put on a punk rock jacket. Think pyramid-shaped and pointy!
• Heavy-duty thread and needle: Because regular sewing thread ain't gonna cut it.
• Scissors: Obviously.
• Velcro straps: For easy on-and-off. No way I'm wrestling Max into something complicated every time we go out.

I basically cut the sleeves off the jacket and made it fit Max. It was a bit of trial and error, trimming here and there, making sure he could still move comfortably. He looked pretty ridiculous during the fitting process, but hey, safety first!

Then came the fun part – adding the spikes! I laid them out on the back and sides of the vest, making sure they were evenly spaced and pointing outwards. This was crucial – they needed to be intimidating and actually deter a bite. I used the heavy-duty needle and thread to sew each spike on individually. This took FOREVER, and my fingers were definitely sore, but I wanted to make sure they were REALLY secure.

Once the spikes were on, I sewed on the Velcro straps. I put one across the chest and another under his belly. This made it super easy to get the vest on and off him, and it also allowed for some adjustment as he (hopefully) doesn't grow anymore.

The Final Result

Honestly, Max looked like a tiny, four-legged warrior. The denim was tough, the spikes were menacing, and the fit was… well, it was functional. He could walk, run, and do his business without any problems. Most importantly, I felt SO much better about taking him out for walks, especially in the early morning and evening when those coyotes are most active.

It's not a foolproof solution, of course. A determined coyote could probably still do some damage, but I feel like this vest gives Max a fighting chance. It's an extra layer of protection, and it buys me precious seconds to react if something does happen. Plus, it's a pretty good conversation starter at the dog park!