Growing up in the South, I have seen and tried every flea remedy every known. They don't work, fleas come back and you have to start all over. The flea pills are the best thing ever for dogs. They stop the fleas for good. The pills stop the reproduction of the fleas so that's why most yards are flea free in a few months. We have 3 acres of yard and woods and without the pills it would be impossible to keep the yard treated for fleas plus all those chemicals hurt the good insects. I use Advanatage X to stop the ticks, it works or I wouldn't pay the price for it once a month. Our outside dogs are pest free all year long.
I buy a bag of Pill Pockets. It's soft meaty treats that you push the pill into and every dog I know loves them. My cats will eat them too when they need a pill. I don't give the outside cats a flea pill they get Revolution every month to stop ear mites, fleas, and parasites. Pets are expensive to maintain! LOL