If tweezers are unavailable, wrap tissue around your fingers and pull the tick out. Don't squeeze the body of the tick. Check your dog or cat daily as well. Remove ticks with tweezers designated for that purpose only. Flush them down the toilet.
Vaccines are available to prevent tick-borne disease in dogs.
Keep your property clean. Leaf litter and debris block sunlight and provide ideal tick habitat. Pruning low branches will also improve sun penetration. Find out what plantings will not attract deer in your area. Woodpiles should be off the ground and in the sun or under cover where they will remain dry.