Although any time can be tick time these days, warm summer months bring these creepy crawlers out in force. And with some species of ticks comes the threat of Lyme disease—for both dogs and their human companions.

Lyme disease can be spread by certain ticks as they latch on to an animal’s or a person’s body. The disease can be tough to diagnose and can cause chronic or intermittent health problems.

While Lyme disease rarely affects other pets, dogs are often at risk. So if you’re a pooch parent, take the following precautions. Talk to your veterinarian about which tick preventatives are best for your pet, and ask if your dog should be vaccinated against Lyme disease. Make it a point to thoroughly check your pooch—and yourself—for ticks after you come in from outdoors, especially after walks in the woods. Staying tick-free is the best way to keep Lyme disease at bay.