So I let the dog out last night after dinner to do his business (85 lb German Shephard). It was dark and as usual, I shined the field behind the house for critters that he may want to chase and saw a few deer way out near the tree line (14 acre field). I let him go and he proceeded to his usual spot about 50 yds from the house to go #1 and then move about 25 yds parallel to the house to go #2. Mid #2, his head snaps around so I shine the light and see a coyote looking at him from about 50 yds away from his position. I watched the coyote and he started to trot towards my Shephard. I called my guy and he came back to the house. For the next 5 minutes, I watched the coyote mark both spots where my guy had gone, roll in his #2 and generally sniff and mark the entire area. I stood on the patio watching and at some point yelled at the coyote to get lost. At this point, he started trotting towards me. He stopped about 25 yds out, actually on the lawn and then proceeded to slowly trot parallel to the house and ultimately into the woods, marking a few more spots on the way. He was good sized, almost as big as my Shephard although with a full winter coat, probably looked a lot bigger than it actually was. I hear them occasionally at night when they find a meal but only see them on occasion crossing the field and never close to the house when there is any activity going on. This one was very close to the house, lingered for quite a while and showed no fear of the dog or me and that concerns me. Particularly since I am not the only one that lets the dog out. It could be my wife or kids and he does not listen as well to them. Also, where there's one... I would prefer not to kill the coyote but I also don't want to worry about the dog or family when I'm not home. Shooting isn't an issue as there is nothing but woods behind me for at least a mile and I can't see any of my neighbors. I'd be interested in thoughts on the coyote's behavior and if my concerns are justified? I attached a photo of the back yard. The dog was further out than the deer and the coyote came in from the left.