If you’re a pet parent this time of year, chances are you’ve already had at least one moment of panic.
Maybe you found a tick crawling on your dog after a walk.
Maybe your dog came flying back through the yard smelling absolutely horrific after “discovering” a skunk.
Or maybe you’re just overwhelmed trying to figure out what products are actually safe, effective, and worth using.
Honestly? I get it.
As pet parents, we’re constantly trying to balance protection and safety. We want to keep fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and other pests away from our pets, but we also care about what we’re putting on their skin, in our homes, on our furniture, and around our families.
And if you have outdoor dogs, hunting dogs, adventurous dogs, or dogs with selective hearing like Goose & Gator, your risk level goes up about 1,000%!
My dogs are basically toddlers with athletic ability. Are they trained? Yes. Do they listen every single time? Absolutely not.
So when customers ask me what I personally use to help protect Goose & Gator during tick season and outdoor adventures, I’m always happy to share, because these are products I genuinely trust and use in my own home.
Let’s Talk Skunks First
I’m just going to say it, I hope we never run into this issue.
If your dog gets sprayed by a skunk, here’s the biggest tip:
DO NOT GET THEM WET FIRST.
Seriously. Don’t do it.
Water can actually make the smell worse and spread the oils deeper into the coat.
Instead:
- Use a skunk-specific remover on a DRY coat first
- Follow the directions carefully
- Repeat if necessary
The product I personally keep on hand is:
Skout's Honor Skunk Odor Eliminator
It’s one of those products you hope you never need, until you REALLY need it.
Another Important Tip:
If your dog gets sprayed directly in the face or mouth area, that smell is usually much harder to eliminate completely.
That’s where oral care can actually help.
One product I personally love is:
Petsmile Professional Dog Toothpaste
It can help freshen the mouth area after exposure and is genuinely one of my favorite pet toothpaste options overall.
Okay… Ticks
This year has been BAD. Especially the tiny little ticks.
And if you have a black dog like Goose? Good luck spotting them immediately.
Here’s what I regularly do for my own dogs and yard.
What I Use Around My Yard
Wondercide Flea & Tick Yard Spray
I love this because:
- Hooks directly to the hose
- Super easy application
- No harsh pesticides
- Plant-powered ingredients
- Safe for use around pets and family when used as directed
This is one of the easiest preventative steps you can take during peak tick season.
3 Tick Supplies I Always Keep on Hand
1. Tick Twister
This tool is AMAZING for safely removing ticks of all sizes without squeezing them.
The goal with tick removal is to remove the tick cleanly and completely. This tool makes that way easier.
2. Earth Animal Herbal Bug Spray
This is one of my summer staples.
I use it:
- Before walks
- Around wooded areas
- During outdoor events
- It is the only bug spray I apply on myself
One thing I really appreciate about Earth Animal’s flea & tick line is their approach to protection.
Instead of relying on harsh pesticides, the products use thoughtfully selected herbs and essential oils like:
- Cedarwood
- Peppermint
- Lemongrass
- Rosemary
The goal is helping make pets less appealing to pests naturally.
The brand focuses heavily on:
- Daily routine support
- Layered prevention
- Plant-powered ingredients
- Avoiding unnecessary chemical exposure
And honestly? That philosophy aligns really closely with how we approach product selection at Three Tails.
3. Tick Mitt
This thing has been SO helpful lately.
We’ve been seeing a ton of teeny tiny ticks, and sometimes they’re incredibly hard to catch, especially on dark-coated dogs, curly breeds, etc.
The Tick Mitt helps grab:
- Small ticks
- Seed ticks
- Loose debris in the coat
- Crawling insects before they latch
Super underrated tool.
Other Products Worth Exploring
Tickless
This is an ultrasonic device designed to help repel ticks without sprays or chemicals.
A lot of customers like this for:
- Hiking dogs
- Camping
- Hunting dogs
- Extra layered protection
Earth Animal Flea & Tick Herbal Collar
Great option for customers wanting a set it and forget it style product.
The collar is infused with aromatic herbs and essential oils designed for ongoing protection.
Earth Animal Flea & Tick Herbal Shampoo
Perfect for:
- Seasonal refreshes
- Dogs frequently outdoors
- Skin & coat support
- Bath-time prevention support
Plus, it leaves the coat smelling fresh without the overpowering chemical smell many traditional flea shampoos have.
Why We’re So Careful About Flea & Tick Products
This is the part that matters most to us.
Not all flea & tick products are created equally.
At Three Tails, we pay close attention to:
- Ingredient sourcing
- Safety profiles
- Frequency of exposure
- Long-term use concerns
- How products impact pets, homes, and families
Many traditional products use pesticides or insecticides that may come with warnings regarding:
- Neurological effects
- Skin irritation
- Sensitivities
- Overexposure risks
- Household exposure concerns
That doesn’t mean every conventional product is “bad.” Every pet and every household is different.
But it DOES mean pet parents deserve education, transparency, and options.
That’s why we love offering layered approaches like:
- Yard management
- Daily prevention
- Herbal support
- Physical tick checks
- Bathing support
- Safe removal tools
Because prevention usually works best when it becomes part of a routine, not just a reaction after finding a tick.
The Biggest Reminder?
No product replaces:
- Daily tick checks
- Awareness outdoors
- Proper grooming
- Monitoring your pet after hikes, hunting, or wooded areas
Especially this time of year.
And if your dog sees a skunk before you do?
Well… I am sorry and good luck!
Shop all these items in store or online today!