Normally i just leave my capitol empty. So far, its has worked. I think the AI ignores citys without troops, as it does not consider them a threat. That or i am the luckyest SOB ever.

 Game I just played through to season 145 started out with 2 wolves and a darkling nearby in season 2. Each wolf had 44 to 64 hp & the Darkling had 86 hp. Needless to say I thought I was a dead duck & all that. Turned out that with a regular ol' spear, a padded cap & cuirass (purchased with my starting gilder); with stats all starting at 11, I kicked the snot out of them all. I made sure my Sov ran like the chick she is to a +10% def tile surrounded by neutral or negative def tiles. The xp was insane and well... 16 seasons later wiped stacks of wolves & spiders with a CR of 60-100++ with my lil ol stack of CR 27. Needless to say my Sov (named Goddess of Death) & Janusk (renamed Merchant of Death) were both lvl 6+ just 20 seasons intot he game. My game is set on rediculous; and ...

                                                                  ...it needs to be harder. The AI can't handle my shwartz.

   Hope the tip regarding tactical combat helps you out with your rabbid dog problem.