Ticks on the Trail: Keeping Your Pup Safe in Gages Lake
If it feels like you can't walk past a patch of grass without spotting a tick, you're not alone.
Lately, it has felt like tick season has gone into overdrive around Gages Lake. I'm dealing with it myself with Moe and I know a lot of other dog parents in the area are seeing the same thing. The Lake County Health Department has warned that tick activity and local spread of tick-borne illness are back at high levels. After a few very mild winters and humid Midwestern springs, ticks are thriving, and even short walks can feel like a battle.
Before worry takes over every outdoor outing, it helps to know where ticks hide, how to check your dog fast, and how to keep small dogs protected.
Allow me to help you out with this problem.
📍 Local places to watch closely
Ticks don't fly or jump. They wait on tall grass and shrubs, then grab onto your dog when they brush past.
Around Gages Lake, a few spots deserve extra attention:
The forest preserves are one of the biggest concerns. Nearby places like Rollins Savanna and Independence Grove are beautiful, but tall prairie grass and thick leaf litter are prime spots for deer ticks and American dog ticks.
Neighborhood paths can also be risky. Grassy edges near local roads and the paths around Pettybone Park can pick up hitchhikers fast.
Your own backyard can be a problem too. If your yard borders woods or unmowed fields, mice and deer can carry ticks right into your lawn.
🔍 A 60-second paws-to-tail tick check
Small dogs can get hit hard by tick-borne illness, so early detection matters. Every time your pup comes inside, run through this quick check:
Start with the high-risk spots. Look and feel behind the ears, around the collar line, under the front legs, and between the toes. Ticks like warm, hidden areas where they can stay attached.
Moe had one on the back of his front leg. I’m glad I brush him as much as I do… that’s how I find the little vampire.
Check the face too. Look closely around the eyelids and lips.
Feel for bumps. Run your fingers backward through the coat and press gently against the skin. If you feel a tiny, firm bump that seems stuck in place, take a closer look right away.
Remove any tick you find. Use fine-tipped tweezers, grip the tick as close to the skin as possible, and pull straight up with steady pressure. Clean the area with rubbing alcohol and write down the date.
I had trouble with this process so I ordered a tick removal tool from Amazon.
🦴 Make tick checks easier for both of you
Your dog doesn't know why you're suddenly checking ears, toes, and belly after every walk. For small dogs, that can feel uncomfortable if the routine isn't handled gently.
A simple reward system helps. Every time my little guy lets me check him from head to paw, he gets a fresh crunchy treat from My Ten Pound Hound Bakery. you know I don’t have to go far to get him a treat. ;)
That "check then treat" routine makes the whole process easier, because he knows a good snack is waiting when we're done.
Stay careful out there on the trails, neighbors. Keep your grass short, walk in the center of paths when you can, and give your pup a little extra praise, plus a treat, for being such a good sport during tick season.