Trying to decide if we should put a tick collar on our dog, or other no pest spray, powder, etc?

We are new to the area and do not know if we need to be concerned about this?

Our dog is pretty much a an indoor mutt. She does run a round the property often, we also take her hiking on a regular basis. she is usually off leash and exploring when hiking. We are concerned she is going to pick up a tick or two or something else we do not want on her or in the house.

Somewhat concerned about putting anything with chemicals on her as we have young children who are all over her.

Any thoughts?

If I remember correctly, there was a huge uproar about Hartz and some other lower cost collars. They contained a pesticide that had horrible neurological side effects (to people and pets). I have heard a lot of bad things about Hartz products in general but the collars were especially bad.

Is your dog long haired? Most people don't have a problem with them because their dog's coat is short.

I have 3 dogs, my short haired terrier mix rarely gets ticks, but my other two, especially my am. eskimo mix, gets them frequently - I've already pulled 4 off of him this year, 3 off of my littlest, none from the terrier mix, and one off of me

I refuse to use the chemicals; I frequently check them and find them by simply massaging them and finding little bumps

we don't have a problem with any of the tick carried diseases, we can have them, just not a major problem like in the south -

we've been up here for a long time, haven't had a problem with ticks. pick one off once in a blue moon, but not a problem

She is a German Short Haired Pointer - very short coat. Sounds like I might be best off going with nothing, I can check her out after romps outside. I really do not want to put chemicals on her or possibly introduce them into our home. Just trying to look out for the mutt and kids.

Sometimes the cure is worse than the malady

most people up here are very surprised with my posts of ticks - I'm sure it's the thick coat vs light coat - last year, my two thick coated dogs each had 7 ticks (EACH!) but my thin coat only had one the whole season!

just check everywhere, especially under the collar, around the neck, under the arm pits (and leg pits)
and forget dangerous chemicals!

and tick season is now till early to mid summer (that's when you find the majority of ticks)

The tick collars are effective about one inch on both sides of the collar, that's it. Completely worthless. Use the drops behind the shoulders.

Thanks for the feedback. We are going to do without any bug repellents and keep an eye on her.

My dogs haven't has ticks in years, already 3 or 4 this spring. Are we seeing a change?

I've never used flea or tick stuff in Colorado. This year I did get some of the stuff that goes on the back, a preventative. But only because I thought I saw a flea on my foster doggie. He had previoulsy been running the streets so it's possible he picked up a flea. I haven't seen anything since so it must be working. But in general I don't use it.