Pills and chewable flea preventatives are a breeze to administer because they are mess-free and only have to be given once a month. Since they are flavored, most pets gobble them up without a fuss, thinking they received a treat rather than meds. Most flea pills and chews on the market are 99.9% effective for killing adult fleas. The only downside is these do not kill eggs or larvae.
Flea drops usually come in squeeze tubes and are typically administered between the shoulder blades or at the base of the tail where the dog cannot reach to lick. Drops are only as strong as their active ingredient and thus their effectiveness can vary. Drops can cause serious health problems if used improperly or on nursing dogs and puppies. Check with your vet before you use these.
Flea combs are fine-toothed metal combs that can be run through your pup's coat to remove existing fleas. These will work to remove adult fleas, but there are a few downsides. This process is time-consuming and does not get the flea eggs or prevent future infestations. Owners with paw-ticularly hyper or sensitive dogs may have a hard time getting them to cooperate, so keep some treats handy!