I live in an area with ticks. I do bi daily checks on my dog when she's
been outside and when I fine one, I've learned to separate all the hair
away to expose the tick, then I take hold of the tick as if I'm trying
to remove a chunk of hair with it, meaning VERY close to the skin. I
firmly take hold, pinch against the skin and slowly twist to the left,
counter clockwise until there is the sound of "snap". I inspect the tick
to make sure I got the head and then flush the darn thing down the
toilet. The vet says if the head is left in, they usually leave it alone
and it will sluff off in time.

The ticks will drain the energy from the dog. I pay attention to places
my dog keeps tending on her body, repeated smelling, etc.

I suggest taking the time to twist and remove all the ticks and learn
the "ticks favorite spots" on the dog and check them regularly.

Good luck, let me know how many you collect from both dogs as you pick
them off.

"Frontline" makes a flea and tick product that you put on once a month
that truly helps the problem as the ticks don't like the available blood
that is their chow.