Gather the right tools first
Use fine-tipped tweezers or a purpose-made tick removal tool (a plastic tick hook or tick twister), not your bare fingers, a match, petroleum jelly, or nail polish. Home remedies that try to "suffocate" or burn the tick often make it regurgitate saliva and stomach contents back into the bite, which can raise the risk of infection or disease transmission rather than lower it. Keep a small container with a lid handy in case your vet wants to see the tick.
Remove the tick slowly and steadily
Part the fur so you can see the tick's mouthparts where they enter the skin. Grip the tick as close to the skin as possible, avoiding squeezing the body, and pull upward with slow, steady, even pressure. Do not twist, jerk, or crush the tick's body, as this can leave mouthparts embedded or push more fluid into the bite site. If your dog is wriggling, have a second person gently hold and calm them, or wrap your dog in a towel for a few seconds of stillness.
What to do after removal
Once the tick is out, clean the bite area and your hands with soap and water or a mild antiseptic. Check that the head and mouthparts came away with the body; a small dark speck left behind usually works its way out on its own, but persistent redness or swelling is worth a vet check. Dispose of the tick by placing it in alcohol, sealing it in tape, or flushing it, do not crush it between your fingers. Note the date and location on your dog where you found it, since this information helps your vet if symptoms develop later.
When to call the vet
Contact your vet if you're not confident removing the tick yourself, if the tick is in a sensitive area like near the eyes or in the ear canal, if your dog has an unusual reaction to a bite, or if you notice lethargy, fever, loss of appetite, joint pain, or lameness in the days or weeks after a tick bite. In regions where paralysis ticks or other dangerous species are common, wobbliness, coughing, or vomiting after a tick bite is an emergency, seek veterinary care immediately rather than waiting to see if it resolves.
Reducing the chance of ticks in the first place
Check your dog after walks in grassy, bushy, or wooded areas, running your hands over their coat, between toes, around ears, and under the collar. A vet can recommend a tick prevention product suited to your dog's age, weight, and health history, and can show you the correct removal technique in person if you'd like a demonstration before you need it in the field.