My dog and I have a great weekend schedule. First thing each weekend morning we get up, have a snack, grab a latte at the coffee shop on the way, and end up at the dog park. I just love bringing my dog to the park, since it's pretty obvious that this is one of the highlights of his week.

We both enjoy our weekend routine - my dog gets lots of exercise and socialization, and I enjoy my coffee and do some socialization of my own. It's a great break for both of us. Unfortunately there are several times during the year that it seems inevitable that my dog would come home with fleas. I wouldn't really notice at the time, but through the week I'd notice some scratching, and think 'oh no, fleas again'.

After I started to notice a connection with having fleas and going to the dog park, we stopped going to the dog park. The reaction was not well thought out. After a few months of avoiding the dog park, I seemed to notice that my dog was gaining weight and was generally a bit slower getting off the couch. I was feeling pretty guilty about boycotting the dog park so perhaps my eyes were playing tricks on me. I decided we would go back to the dog park.

There was a little trepidation that came with my decision to go back to the dog park, so I decided to try and figure out some sort of natural flea repellent so we would avoid picking up fleas at the park. I talked to my dogs groomer, and she had some great suggestions. Two of the best natural flea treatments are garlic and citronella. I decided to try them both to double up on my dogs flea resistant powers.

So I began the recommended garlic treatment, adding a bit to my dogs food with every meal. As with humans, the garlic will be absorbed into the blood, which fleas seem to really dislike - since blood is their only food, if it contains garlic they hop off and find a less offensive meal option. Well, it seems to be working - no more fleas have come home with us from the park recently. As a backup I also put a cute little scarf around my dogs neck, with a few drops of citronella, which is also a natural flea repellent. My dog smells like a patio candle, but it's better than fleas.

Fleas can be a nuisance. If you are going to bring your dog to places where they can socialize with other dogs, fleas are going to be a problem. Fortunately getting rid of fleas naturally and all natural flea repellents are safe and easy to apply.