Ticks are more than an itch. They carry serious diseases, and by the time you find one attached, the risk has already started. In our climate the safe assumption is that tick season is most of the year, so prevention beats treatment every single time.
Start with a routine you can actually keep. Run your hands over your dog daily, paying attention to the ears, between the toes, under the collar and around the tail — the warm, hidden spots ticks prefer. A daily thirty-second check catches most problems early.
Talk to your vet about a preventive that suits your dog's weight, age and health, and keep it on schedule rather than only after you spot a tick. Keep grass trimmed at home and be extra careful after walks in longer grass.
If you do find one attached, remove it gently and completely rather than crushing it, and watch your dog for tiredness, loss of appetite or fever over the following days. Anything unusual is worth a clinic visit — the cost of a check is nothing next to the cost of a missed infection.