Ticks live in California, and the foothills and brushy creek areas around the Central Valley are where dogs most often pick them up. The reliable defense is a check after outings and a preventive your vet recommends.
What the health agencies say
The CDC describes dogs as highly susceptible to ticks and tickborne disease, notes that most of these diseases have no vaccine, and recommends a tick preventive chosen with your veterinarian. Symptoms can take 7 to 21 days or longer to appear after a bite, so watch your dog's behavior and appetite for weeks. The California Department of Public Health lists several tickborne diseases in the state, including Lyme disease from the western blacklegged tick, and says an infected tick has to be attached and feeding for at least 24 hours before it can transmit Lyme bacteria. That is the reason quick removal matters. Ask your veterinarian which ticks and diseases are a concern where you walk your dog.
A check that takes two minutes
The CDC says to check outdoor pets every day, especially after time outside. Run your fingers over the ears, around the eyelids, under the collar, under the front legs, between the back legs, between the toes and around the tail. Ticks are hard to see on long or dark coats, so feel as well as look. Do not put tick products made for dogs on cats, because cats are extremely sensitive to many of those chemicals.
Removing a tick
Use fine-tipped tweezers, grasp the tick close to the skin and pull up steadily without twisting or jerking. Clean the bite, wash your hands and call your vet if you are unsure. See the CDC page for the steps, and contact your vet if your dog becomes lethargic or stops eating in the weeks after.
Before a stay at Happy Paws
Pets should arrive flea and tick free. If a problem is found after drop-off, the pet is bathed and the owner pays for the bath, which is quoted per dog on the baths page, so please ask. The simplest plan is to check your dog's skin a few days before the stay and keep the preventive current. Flea prevention is on the recommended list along with leptospirosis and heartworm prevention. The foxtails guide covers another seasonal hazard.