GSD Scratching. Why do they do it? - Page 2

If you are interested in an outdoor kennel and how to do it, then here are a few Pic's of mine
Steve1

Steve, your kennels are wonderful.

Louise, I've heard some say they use extra virgin cold pressed olive oil instead of salmon oil.  What are your thoughts on this?  And do you also add vitamin E?

my Sita is a "poolhound", she goes for a swim in our pool no less then 4 times every day. Her fur is usually wet or damp and she has issues with itching. I shampoo her with a medicated anti fungal shampoo about  twice a month. Leaving the shampoo in on her for 30 minutes before rinsing. I've also added a bit of sulfur  (MSM) to her diet. this has helped quite a bit. In the past, she has had a "sour dog" smell which is associated with bad stuff, its gone now.

Dogs show allergies by being itchy all over, instead of a runny nose like humans.  Your dog may be allergic to anything, tree pollen, ragweed, something in its feed, something you use in the house as a cleaner, lawn food, laundry detergent......or, like Sita, it may have other issues.

Dry skin from less humidity in the air can also cause itching, this usually happens during cooler months with the heater is on. If this is the issue, a humidifier could help.

Fish oil is a great additive, the omega oils help promote healthy skin and fur as well as good nerve function and healthy heart - for people too.

Itching can become a stress relieving habit, once again has anything changed that could cause stress? New member in family, less or more attention, different training, is dog confused, home alone more often or less often??

Did you remember changing anything in your dog's life, no matter how small, just before the itching started?

Different dog bed, new chew toys, change in treats, laundry detergent, different disinfectant. Have you changed your shampoo, bar soap, dis washing detergent...?

Your best bet is to create a journal, and monitor what it eats and what its exposed to on a day to day basis and look for the answer.

Good luck!

Steve1 - your kennel AND garden are beautiful! How about a photo when the roses are in bloom?

If you are feeding the Primal Formulas, you might want to double check, but it's my understanding the Primal Beef Formula (nuggets and patties) is 60% beef (only 7% of that is organ meat), and 40% vegetable.    Their Primal Chicken Formula (nuggets and patties) isn't much better,  30% vegetables.  They also add a lot of additives including coconut oil! 

So it actually could be the food, even though you have been faithfully using various protein sources rather than one, it could be an allergy to something other than the protein sources and I have been told dogs can develop a sensitivity to foods over time. 

You may want to consider switching to something like the Primal Grinds, which contain only muscle meat, bone and organ meat (though  i would still add in a little additional organ meat because I think it's a little low at 7% and they are including heart, which while very good, is not an organ).  Also green tripe is an excellent food and can be purchased frozen.  You can always toss in a little veg from your own kitchen if you feel it's necessary. 

Finally you may soon be ready to jump in with both feet, forget about the grinds and start feeding only whole bones, organ meat, tripe, a handful of blue berries once in a blue moon and an egg with the shell once a week!

I agree with Louise about adding in  Salmon Oil.  Salmon Oil and vit E are the 2 things I supplement with on a daily basis.

Finally I think  Snajper said it could be just a nervous habit, and I agree with that too.  For example, if I don't work my male on a daily basis he starts to bite  the hair at the top of his tail, it an energy thing with him!

Do I give vitamin E? Yes--400 IU natural mixed tocopherols daily.

Olive oil (contains Omega 6's) acts as an inflammatory--OTH, salmon oil (contains mostly Omega 3's) acts as an anti-inflammatory. Dogs (especially those on a prey raw diet) get enough Omega 6's in a standard healthy diet. Giving olive oil can throw off the Omega 6 to Omega 3 ratio.

I am so thankful for all the tips. Steve's kennel is just beautiful and so well done. I am particularly impressed by the interest and loving advice that you all have supplied to help me solve this issue. I am new to this site, but I will be here for a long time. So many caring and experienced people to help answer questions. If anyone has anything additional to add please do. I have some direction now and I will be making some changes.

The over hang on the kennels stop the rain getting in and in the hot weather i put three clear plastic screens in front under the overhang so it defects the sun and gives the two dogs a shady area in the run they lay behind the screens and stay pretty cool Plus i spray the roof in the hot weather it cools the run down a bit
I will take a pic of the roses next year they look okay there is some 80 rose bushes in the Garden another bed along side of the house
Steve1