Chances are if you've had a dog for any length of time you've encountered fleas at some point. Fleas are nasty biting parasites that suck your dog's blood and yours and lay eggs that hatch in your carpet, bedding and furniture just in time to re-infest your dog when you think you've finally got them beat. Fleas can be quite dangerous to your dog (and cat) as they carry parasites, particularly tapeworm, and some animals and people are allergic to them the way some people are allergic to fire ants and bees! Not to mention that petting a flea bitten dog is not the most pleasant experience in the world and listening to your dog scratch all night means no sleep for anybody. So get a jump on fleas this year. Bite them before they bite you with a four pronged attack!
Step 1
Prevention
The first step to keeping your dog as healthy as possible. That means providing him with the best possible nutrition (consult your veterinarian on this front), giving him plenty of exercise and grooming him on a regular schedule. If you have a thick coated, long-haired dog he should be brushed daily and bathed and blow dried monthly. Shorter haired dogs can be brushed weekly, but the more often you give him a good brushing the more likely you are to spot a flea before it has a chance to move the family in.
In addition to keeping your dog healthy, there are a number of spot treatments that can protect your dog from flea infestation for a month at a time. Some people do not feel comfortable doing this as these are poisonous chemicals and some dogs are sensitive to them. However, they are considered safe for most dogs. If you are concerned, you can lesson your dog's exposure by only applying the product to your pet during flea season or when fleas are seen, but if you do this you must be extra vigilent in your grooming schedule so you can catch infestations early.
It should be noted that your local flea population has as much potential to evolve as any other creature and it is possible that your fleas might become immune to the product you are using. If you notice your product isn't working as well as it used to, you may wish to try something new. You may wish to alternate between K9 Advantix Flea Control and Merial Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control
.
Step 2
Treat Your Dog
If your dog already has fleas, you can treat him in a variety of ways. I personally like to massage my dog with coconut oil, which suffocates the fleas and soothes his poor skin. I let it sit for an hour and then wash it off, it takes two lathers to get the oil all off, but afterward his fur looks lovely. You can also use SynergyLabs Richard's Organics Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo
but remember to follow the directions carefully. It won't work if you don't use as directed. You may also wish to use a dietary supplement such as Program for Dogs 
or Novartis Capstar Flea Treatment Blue Tabs
, but be sure to check with your veterinarian first.
If your dog is difficult to bathe, or if you are just totally grossed out by the flea thing, you can take your dog to a groomer and have them flea dip him.
Remember if you have other pets in the house that they are also susceptible to fleas, so have them treated too even if you don't see any fleas on them.
Step 3
Treat Your House
If your dog has fleas, chances are your house does too. Fleas spend much of their life cycle off of the dog and can be very happy in your carpet or couch cushions. The first thing you need to do is give your house a thorough vacuuming and run your dog's bedding - and your own if he's ever on your bed - through the washer and dryer.
Next, use a product containing diatomicious Earth such as St. Gabriel Laboratories All Natural Indoor/Outdoor Insect Dust Repellent and sprinkle this into your carpet and under your couch cushions. Use a broom or stiff brush to work it in really well then let it sit 20 minutes or so, finally, vacuum up the excess. Although products like this are "safer" in the sense that they do not have harmful chemicals, they do tend to kick up alot of dust and you don't want to inhale all that, so make sure your pets and kids are out of the house while you're working and open up all the windows so you get some ventilation.
Continue to vacuum your house frequently, preferably daily or at least twice a week to ensure that any fleas jumping off your dog don't get to take up residence in your house.
Step 4
Repeat and Prevent Re-Infestation
Depending on the treatment you used for your dog, you may have to repeat it after a week to ensure any newly hatched fleas are also killed. However, if you are using chemical pesticides, it will not be safe to re-treat your dog anytime soon. Read labels carefully and check with your vet or groomer. Follow the advice in Step 1 to prevent re-infestation.
And Then...
Watch Out for Tapeworms
Dogs and cats can get tapeworms from eating fleas, so if you've got a flea infestation, there's a chance you're pets have tapeworms as well. Your vet can test your pet's feces for tapeworms and, if the the test comes back positive, prescribe worming medication. Both the test and the medication are inexpensive. Whether the initial test is positive or negative, it should be repeated in a month to ensure that your dog really is tapeworm free.
Step 1
Prevention
The first step to keeping your dog as healthy as possible. That means providing him with the best possible nutrition (consult your veterinarian on this front), giving him plenty of exercise and grooming him on a regular schedule. If you have a thick coated, long-haired dog he should be brushed daily and bathed and blow dried monthly. Shorter haired dogs can be brushed weekly, but the more often you give him a good brushing the more likely you are to spot a flea before it has a chance to move the family in.
In addition to keeping your dog healthy, there are a number of spot treatments that can protect your dog from flea infestation for a month at a time. Some people do not feel comfortable doing this as these are poisonous chemicals and some dogs are sensitive to them. However, they are considered safe for most dogs. If you are concerned, you can lesson your dog's exposure by only applying the product to your pet during flea season or when fleas are seen, but if you do this you must be extra vigilent in your grooming schedule so you can catch infestations early.
It should be noted that your local flea population has as much potential to evolve as any other creature and it is possible that your fleas might become immune to the product you are using. If you notice your product isn't working as well as it used to, you may wish to try something new. You may wish to alternate between K9 Advantix Flea Control and Merial Frontline Plus Flea and Tick Control
.Step 2
Treat Your Dog
If your dog already has fleas, you can treat him in a variety of ways. I personally like to massage my dog with coconut oil, which suffocates the fleas and soothes his poor skin. I let it sit for an hour and then wash it off, it takes two lathers to get the oil all off, but afterward his fur looks lovely. You can also use SynergyLabs Richard's Organics Natural Flea & Tick Shampoo
but remember to follow the directions carefully. It won't work if you don't use as directed. You may also wish to use a dietary supplement such as Program for Dogs or Novartis Capstar Flea Treatment Blue Tabs, but be sure to check with your veterinarian first.If your dog is difficult to bathe, or if you are just totally grossed out by the flea thing, you can take your dog to a groomer and have them flea dip him.
Remember if you have other pets in the house that they are also susceptible to fleas, so have them treated too even if you don't see any fleas on them.
Step 3
Treat Your House
If your dog has fleas, chances are your house does too. Fleas spend much of their life cycle off of the dog and can be very happy in your carpet or couch cushions. The first thing you need to do is give your house a thorough vacuuming and run your dog's bedding - and your own if he's ever on your bed - through the washer and dryer.
Next, use a product containing diatomicious Earth such as St. Gabriel Laboratories All Natural Indoor/Outdoor Insect Dust Repellent and sprinkle this into your carpet and under your couch cushions. Use a broom or stiff brush to work it in really well then let it sit 20 minutes or so, finally, vacuum up the excess. Although products like this are "safer" in the sense that they do not have harmful chemicals, they do tend to kick up alot of dust and you don't want to inhale all that, so make sure your pets and kids are out of the house while you're working and open up all the windows so you get some ventilation.
Continue to vacuum your house frequently, preferably daily or at least twice a week to ensure that any fleas jumping off your dog don't get to take up residence in your house.
Step 4
Repeat and Prevent Re-Infestation
Depending on the treatment you used for your dog, you may have to repeat it after a week to ensure any newly hatched fleas are also killed. However, if you are using chemical pesticides, it will not be safe to re-treat your dog anytime soon. Read labels carefully and check with your vet or groomer. Follow the advice in Step 1 to prevent re-infestation.
And Then...
Watch Out for Tapeworms
Dogs and cats can get tapeworms from eating fleas, so if you've got a flea infestation, there's a chance you're pets have tapeworms as well. Your vet can test your pet's feces for tapeworms and, if the the test comes back positive, prescribe worming medication. Both the test and the medication are inexpensive. Whether the initial test is positive or negative, it should be repeated in a month to ensure that your dog really is tapeworm free.
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