Fleas are tiny leaping insects that move about among the dog's hairs and suck its blood. 
The female flea lays her eggs in the grass or indoors in cracks in the floors by the baseboards. The eggs hatch into larvae that feed on bits of dust and dirt. They eventually develop into fleas, which latch onto passing dogs, or hitch a ride on your shoes. Fleas will transfer to infest the house, yard, other animals and humans.
Due to recent warming trends, fleas are surviving longer and are surviving in areas where they were not able to live in the past. Fleas can also survive the winter weather by feeding on dogs and cats. In the more humid months fleas can multiply very quickly. They lay 40 to 50 eggs on a daily basis so infestation is swift. These can fall of the animal and typically infest the pet's bedding area first.
For the health and sanity of your pet, it is vital you take necessary steps to prevent flea infestation in the first place. There are many options currently available from local pet stores, online pet suppliers, and even through your vet.
As with most pet health questions, asking your veterinarian their advice on what products to use is a good place to start. You can also do some research. Some products work better than others. Even the pet shop employees will probably tell you what other customers have recommended.
One recommendation to ward off the pest problem is to vacuum frequently. If you use a vacuum cleaner that uses bags, close them tightly before throwing away in the garbage. Wash your dog's bedding weekly. You should also bathe your dog regularly as this is a way of preventing infestation. You should also make sure your pet's skin is healthy and not too dry. Fleas are attracted to dry skin. Add oil to their food. Another diet recommendation is to use garlic as it gives your dog an unpleasant odor that fleas dislike.
There are also simple natural choices: Boil water containing orange or lemon peel and soak it into your dog's bedding for a couple of hours. Bathing your dog in warm soapy water can prevent major flea problems as long as you catch it in the early stages.
Recently, flea control products have improved and work very effectively. They come with two application options, oral and topical. Some of these kill on contact while others interrupt the life cycle by killing the fleas after they ingest the blood of the animal.
Advantage is a fluid-based insecticide which is applied into the back of the dog's head and neck area where the dog is unable to reach. Some dogs have bad reactions to this treatment so keep an eye on them the first time you use it. If treated regularly, this is one of the best preventive measures a pet owner can take. The days of flea collars and toxic dips are a thing of the past.
Fiprolul is another effective treatment that has been proven to be 100% reliable and can kill all infesting fleas within 24 hours of applying. There are other similar products on the market but your best option is to start by seeking your vet's advice. He (or she) can discuss any concerns you may have about using these more drastic chemicals to eradicate the fleas.
Flea infestation can explode into a large problem if not detected and treated properly and promptly. Through diligent monitoring of your dog, especially in the summer months when the flea problem is at its peak, you can keep your dog both healthy and free of fleas