Is there any other effective method of protecting my dogs against fleas and ticks other than using spray? I know that there is such things as drop on methods but in the past I have found this ineffective due to my dogs' double coats. Both dogs see it as a punishment when they have their spray...with most of it going up the walls, on the floor, in your eyes, etc! Plus it's not the cheapest thing to buy from the vets.

Any help would be much appreciated as now the dogs are fearful when I open "the cupboard"!

I give my Mals garlic three times a week. Fleas don't like the taste :) In fact I've never seen a flea on them!

I use Frontline only if I'm going to an "in risk" area for ticks as this just involves a drizzle of the stuff between the shoulder blades on the back. If it's done during the normal grooming routine, they don't even notice ;)

You can now buy scalibor collars that are similar to the old fashioned flea collars that are specifially made for use on the continent to prevent fleas, ticks and sandflies. I'm not sure how it would work on the double coat, but i have heard of dogs with thichk coats using them to great effect.