Is Charlie a trickster?

Yes. I'll go into details later / next week / sometime, but my manuscript is due Monday so that's all I can muster here at the moment.

Is Charlie's tail ever raised? I notice that it's usually down while Eli's is way up.

Charlie keeps his tail low 90% of the time - it's a coyote thing. It's actually a significant differentiation between coyotes and wolves other than their size - coyotes hold their tails low, wolves hold theirs out. Charlie raises his tail in plane with his back when he's going after prey, either in ernest or in play, otherwise it's low and nonchalant, and floats in the air as he moves like a plume.

Eli always has his tail up, but the very tip does change expression. It goes from totally straight (when he's surprised or "on"), to a slight one-inch curve at the tip (normal), to the whole thing shaping into a shepherd's crook (when he's running fast).

How is Charlie similar to and/or different from domestic dogs in his social behavior? Part I.

This is a great question, a common question from you all, and one that requires a lengthy and multifaceted answer, so I'll take it in parts. First of all, I don't have a ton of experience with dogs; spending time with the dogs my friends and family members have (and now Chloe, the puppy) is the extent of it. So, I can only use what I've seen for this comparison, though I'm sure there is great variation among dogs.

Social Behavior With People:
Every dog I've known has been eager to meet strangers and been incredibly accepting and friendly towards humans they've never met. Though some dogs are antisocial and most animals will be less accepting of certain people (reading their energy), the generalization I'm making is obvious at any park, and it's why there's the old cliche that guys get dogs to meet chicks.

Charlie's the opposite. He does not blindly accept people (other than MC and me), he doesn't trust them, he doesn't want to get friendly with them. I don't know if this is soley a function of being a coyote or if a natural tendency was exacerbated because I was so concerned about keeping him low-key in my town that I did not socialize him to lots of people when he was young.

Charlie has never tried to attack strangers who come by, but if he felt cornered or threatened, he might. Sometimes he makes a territorial challenge huff-bark when people come to my house, other times he hides and watches from afar. It depends on the person, how close they get, and how long they stay.

When it comes to social behavior with people, Charlie is more like the average adult than the average dog - he goes in on the defensive and does not offer up his trust, it must be drawn out and earned over time.

What is the lifespan of a coyote, and how will Charlie affect your future plans? What will happen to him if you relocate or move on?

A coyote's natural lifespan is similar to a dog's; 10, 12, 15 years. Charlie is now a significant factor in my future plans. He is part of my life and will be taken into consideration in all my decision making; his needs will be taken into consideration in my decision making. It's simply the way it is, and I don't have any problem with that, though it does add complexity to everything. For example, I am trying to buy land, and certain properties I've looked at that would be wonderful under normal circumstances just won't work because of the Charlie factor.

I have no idea where the course of my life will take me; so far, it's been so bizarre that I've stopped attempting to predict. I wouldn't move Charlie into the city, obviously, and this is fine. It doesn't seem like a sacrifice; it's the facts of my life, and when I lived in the city I lived it to the max, and I don't long for it (except for sushi). So, the only thing I can answer with certainty is that everything I will or may do will be done with Charlie in mind.

How does Eli react to other coyotes, and how does Charlie react to other cats?

Charlie has never seen another cat. I know they're in the area because Eli has come home with another cat's claw sticking straight out of his forehead (I have faith the other guy looked worse), but they never come around here, and Charlie and I have never crossed paths with other cats on our walks.

I have no idea if Eli has directly encountered any coyote besides Charlie, I've never been witness to it. I'm sure Eli knows Charlie's individual scent and I would assume he would steer clear of coyotes while he's roaming the countryside like the star of an old Western,
but who knows. Maybe they're his posse.

Have you considered making a video of Charlie playing in the corn?

I wanted to so badly but the cows ate all the corn before I got my hands on a video camera. Next year, I promise, because it's truly amazing to watch his corn antics in live action. I can't decide if it's a mesmerizing coyote ballet, or if it will turn into the latest rage in aerobics videos.

Why is Charlie neutered?

I guess I didn't explain this well enough in the post below. It got to the point where it was undeniable that Charlie was with me for life. He was emotionally attached to me and Eli and MC and taking him into the wild would be like any of you abandoning an animal that had become family - a form of cruelty.

Separate from that, Charlie had gotten just accostomed enough to the ways of humans to, if he were set out in the wild, be a danger to himself and to others. Separate even from that are statistics. In the past six months, over five hundred coyotes have been killed in my county alone just from the aerial program. That's not taking into account coyotes that are trapped or shot on foot. Charlie wouldn't have lasted a week.

Once it was certain that Charlie was going to stick around and like it, I wondered if neutering him would give him peace of mind. We all know what hormones will do to a brain. I didn't want Charlie to be trapped in internal conflict between wanting to be "home" and the drive to procreate. I talked with educated folks about this stuff and the facts corroborated my intuition.

Is Charlie neutered?

Yes. When I realized Charlie had decided to stay with me, I started thinking about neutering him, but it wasn't until I got a mind-to-mind transmission from him (no joke) that "it was time" that I went ahead and did it. I did the procedure myself - it went smoothly and with no complications, though it's a very long story so you'll have to read the book to get the outrageous details.

Do you groom Charlie? Revisited.

In the past few weeks, I have gotten emails from many of you touting the wonder that is the "Furminator". I looked at this pet-grooming brush online, but even after your testimonials, I could not bring myself to spend $50 on a dog brush. Then, yet another person emailed me about this brush, and noted that it could be found for a discounted price online if one searched. I did, found a deal, and ordered it.

The Furminator came today and WOW. It truly is amazing. I brushed out SO MUCH FUR it was shocking, and it was so much fun! Charlie loves it, too; he can't get enough. I then moved on to Eli, and filled A SHOEBOX with Eli's fur. I will be extra warm this winter - I'm going to knit myself a bodysuit from Charlie's wool and a pair of kitten mittens.

Long question here, see body of post...

Q: I read a book written by a man who has raised and lived with wolves for many years - one of the many issues he brought forth dealt with the differences in how wolves and dogs develop. In simple terms, dogs have been bred for thousands of years to maintain their "puppyhood," i.e, their willingness to submit themselves to us as their leaders, throughout their lifespans. On the other hand, wolves go through puppyhood and mature, and they begin to make their own decisions. Accordingly, a competition for control can occur, which can be dangerous for a human who assumes he or she is boss. Usually, the writer said, the maturing wolf simply begins to make its own decisions - it may continue on friendly terms with a human, but it won't take orders anymore. I'm very much interested in how your relationship with Charlie develops, in this regard. Any comments?

A: This theroy is common among those who work with wolves and coyotes, though many dog owners, especially those with difficult dogs, tend to disagree with it. I certainly don't know enough outside of my own experience with Charlie to take a side. However, all canines work within the pack system, and even with wolves and coyotes, there is an "alpha" who makes decisions which the rest of the pack uphold.

As Charlie matured this winter, he called on me to become extremely strong within myself in order for me to maintain my alpha status. This wasn't just a task of action, it was a task of energetics.

Though I've always considered Charlie and I "a team" and I respect his incredible intellegence and independent thought, by taking the alpha role, I allow Charlie the security that comes from his position as subordinate. I reinforce "the order" in subtle ways all the time. I go through doors first. He no longer gets to sleep on my bed, ever, though we do spoon on the floor or on his dog bed every day. He must sit before going out or coming in, before getting food, and before getting treats. And he does all this, with, I dare say, a coyote smile.

I've noticed he watches me closely, and my actions and reactions influence the conclusions he draws for himself - for example, he is very afraid of strange vehicles, but if he sees me walking up to an "unknown" car in the driveway (I make a point of leaning up against it casually, knowing he is watching), he lets go of his fear and deems it safe.

When my truck broke down, I borrowed a friends second truck. When they dropped it off, Charlie ran away from it and hid, yet after seeing me get in and out of it once, Charlie didn't try to hide from it anymore. That, to me, is an example of the alpha/subordinate relationship - he trusts me enough to trust what I trust.

How many dogs have you raised?

None.... Charlie is my first canine, not counting the dog my family had when I was a kid. Scarlett was a bloodhound-lab mix, and we got her when she was three. She was the kindest, mellowest dog, and I was just a kid so the actual "responsibility of a dog" went over my head. So, I went into the raising of Charlie completely blind and ignorant. I've read a lot, been in touch with many people with great knowledge, and relied on my intuition, trial and error, and, most importantly, paid close attention to what Charlie tells me along the way.

Does Charlie have a favorite toy?

At the moment, Charlie's favorite toy is a roll of masking tape. He's so weird. But it has been providing us hours of entertainment. I roll it across the floor, he tosses it it the air and catches the ring of it around his snout - it's hilarious. He is also loving dried papaya spears. I gave him a piece last week and he's been playing with it ever since, batting it around and slowly nibbling it. I highly recommend dried papaya for you dog owners - a google search deems it safe, and it's way cheaper than rawhide, which Charlie also loves.

How big is Charlie?

Charlie stands 22 inches at the shoulder (fur height included). By sight, he matches the average border collie or coonhound in size, but that's due to his full coat and long legs. Coyotes generally don't weigh more than 35 pounds, and Charlie is no exception, despite a diet that any coyote would envy. I've never weighed him, but he's still so easy to pick up (and yes, he still lets me). I'd guess he weighs about 30 pounds.

This question relates to the post below: If Charlie is not allowed to roam at night, doesn't it prevent him from deciding to be wild?

Charlie's behaviors make his attitude clear, and I pay close attention to what he shows me in our interactions and in his daily life to determine if he wants to stick around or not. I would NEVER let him just walk off down the road. I would take him to a place where he would have a chance of surviving for more than a week and release him there.

What are Charlie's sleep habits like, and how do they mesh with yours and Eli's? Do they change with the moon?

Charlie has always slept all night long. It kind of cracks me up. We roughhouse and play right before bed and then he goes to sleep around the same time I do, and sleeps until I wake up. When he sleeps inside, he never wakes up before me, but once I'm up he is too, and we have a sweet little lovefest to start the day. I usually leave him outside around the full moon because he does stay up all night when the moon is bright. (He's contained so he doesn't go on a walkabout - it's easy to predict what would happen if someone saw him wandering through their yard under a full moon). Eli's another story - he's out carousing all night and comes in between 5 and 7 in the morning to lounge around the house all day and boss us around.

How do you discipline Charlie?

I rely mainly on eye contact and the word "Hey." I discovered very early on that Charlie responds extremely well to eye contact and I use it to transmit all sorts of information, from comfort and "you're safe" messages when he is scared, to discipline. Charlie is magically intelligent, and at this point in our relationship, he knows the order of things; he knows what is expected of him and what behaviors are OK and which are not. He knows when he's being naughty and always looks at me sideways to see if he can get away with it, and I give him a Look. And usually he changes his behavior based on that look.

When he ignores me, "Hey" comes into play. "Hey" is a universal term we use that means "you know you're pushing the boundaries, little one." When he was much younger, I bit him on the ear when I said "Hey," and I think this action helped reinforce the power of the word. Ear-biting is a disciplinary measure that canine mothers use on their pups, and so by doing this myself while also saying "Hey," Charlie and I were able to communicate in his language as well as mine, and the authority of the word alone became ingrained.

Do you groom Charlie?

I don't brush Charlie or clip his nails, but it's not for any particular reason other than I don't have a brush or nail clippers! I keep meaning to buy a dog brush when I'm in town and then I forget - Charlie loves it when I massage him and brush him with my fingernails, and a brush may come in handy as he sheds.

I will also get around to buying nail clippers as well, if only for his dew claws. He does a good job of keeping his front claws somewhat dull by digging and general spastic behaviour, but his dew claws are like little talons. And with Spring approaching and less clothing covering my body, those dew claws scratch if he jumps on me. I am in the middle of teaching him "Down", but clipping the claws may be a measure I take until Down is perfected.

What does the community think of Charlie?

Honestly, I don't know. People who have seen him think he is beautiful, and I can see they are entranced - men and women alike. But, when gossip is about you, you are the last one to hear it, and I don't know what people are saying about me and Charlie except for what they say to my face. And what has been said directly to me has been neither good nor bad - never a judgement call, only observations and questions that are borne of curiosity. So I truly don't know what people really think.

Does Charlie attract a lot of fleas, and how do you deal with them?

Charlie has never had one flea. Well, he did when he was a baby - when he arrived, he was covered with the fattest fleas I'd ever seen. Covered with them. But since then, he has never gotten fleas or ticks. Eli's had fleas from time to time and I put anti-flea drops on his fur every so often, but have never treated Charlie; it just doesn't seem to be necessary.

So you're writing a book about Charlie, but when is it coming out?

The book will be out in November!

Is Charlie housebroken?

Oh yes. When he was a tiny puppy, I thought, "a few messes here and there on my plywood floor aren't that big a deal..." Then he grew and so did the puddles. I trained him to use the cat box to pee in if he was inside, like in the middle of the night, and he does everything else outside. He scratches at the door when he needs to go out.

When we are at houses that actually have indoor plumbing, I show Charlie the shower or bathtub upon arrival and when he needs to go, he saunters into the bathroom, hops in the tub, and pees down the drain. Then I turn on the water to flush it. It's a handy trick, and really, how cool is it to say, "A coyote peed in my shower!"

Was Charlie the only pup, or did he have siblings?

Charlie was one in a litter of twelve, and he is the only one who survived.

Is your book about Charlie?

Yes, the book is an account of my first year with Charlie and my life out here in the country. It will be heavy on the words with pictures scattered throughout.

Does Charlie know any commands?

Charlie’s wildly intelligent (har har) and knows quite a bit. I’m excited to teach him more and more because he picks things up incredibly quickly. I taught him “Sit” very early on, and he sits before getting treats or toys and before coming in or going out. He knows “Come” and “Come This Way.” I use this often on our hikes – if I want to change our general direction or if he deviates from our path, I say “Come This Way” and he changes his direction or leaves his scent trail to follow me. Yesterday I said to him, “Get Back On The Deer Trail” (a deer trail is a tiny footpath the deer make when they traverse the hillsides, and we often take these trails on our hikes) and he did – he returned to the deer trail each time I asked him to. I like to think he knows “Deer Trail”, and “Get Back On It Little Boy;” maybe he does, but maybe he just saw in my eyes what I meant. We are working on Down – it’s successful about 75% of the time now, and he knows “Stay” and “Drop It.” Charlie loves to be chased and I quickly learned I would never get my stolen things from him if I chased him. So I ask him to Drop It, and then when he does, I chase him around just for fun, as his reward.

Does Charlie howl?

Yes, Charlie howls and I love it. It's a great sound. He has a very complex array of vocals - yips that truly do sound like some kind of language when he really gets going; single, communicative barks; and then of course the howl. He does not howl to other coyotes. He howls when I howl, and will bark, yip and howl to his dog friends (but not other dogs). He whimpers and whines to the cat, and howls when the cat meows.