Anecdotally, we have heard that ticks are especially bad this year. Preventative medications and baths will help but here are other measures that you can incorporate into your active summer and fall. - Are you and your pup particularly active? Bone up on your tick knowledge! For example, most encounters with ticks happen in tall grass, when the bugs can easily climb or transfer from plant to legs. - Make tick checks habitual. No need to make mountains out of mole hills but if your dog has been in an area with a high probability of encountering ticks, do a quick check. - Speaking of tick checks, know where and how to look. Use your hands to look for bumps in your pup’s fur then, use a comb to check these areas: around the tail, in and around the ears, around the eyelids, under the collar, under and between the legs, between the toes. Ticks carry diseases that make both pets and people sick. To be reactive is to act in response to a situation rather than creating or controlling it whereas to be proactive is to act preventatively, attempting to create a favorable situation or control a difficult one to the best of your ability. Take you and your dog’s wellbeing into your hands by incorporating these and other tick prevention measures while still enjoying the outdoors!