 Barked: Thu Nov 15, '12 1:36am PST |
 | |  | | Best advice for store bought may be CALIFORNIA NATURAL GRAIN FREE, which has several options, including novel meat sources. This is really helpful as you are getting rid of the grain and the more typical meats used, towards which the dogs may have allergies. It's pricey, but good, particularly with the novel meat sources. Others may have good recommendations as well, i.e., this is not the "only."
The other thing to consider is the HOMEMADE diet. As noted, it is cost effective...if you do your shopping right, even a savings. A very handy thing with this is that you yourself can shift around ingredients if you are trying to figure out possible allergens. You basically can't do that with a commercial dog food....only move from one to the next to the next, so it might be worth some thought if you feel bold enough.
As noted, it's good to do this now, in this interim period, so that by the time you go, if you want to bring up with your vet the subject of a potential immune disorder, you can. Not trying to panic you, but you seem quite level headed and mature, so I figure talk frankly. You would probably prefer that, and I can cheerlead that the breed is equally susceptible to sensitive digestive systems and skin disorders. So one step at a time.
Thumbs up on the more frequent walks....you are a smart cookie! It makes sense that seems to be doing right by him. Walking for exercise, environmental stimulation. They have a major zest for experience, and ultimately as a working breed, just the experience of going out and teaming with you means a lot to them. I cannot tell you how stereotypical it is for their worlds to get smaller, smaller, smaller and their behavior worse, worse, worse. Hot mess indeed!   I think you will find, once he's better and you are working with him, that he will blossom with more obedience work. It just really suits the breed....they are very driven to please and partner, so those one-on-one experiences really make them blossom. It's funny, but it brings to mind we had a Doberman owning Schutzhunder on Dogster, whose was also living with her law enforcement husband's German Shepherd K9s. I told her a great alternate was an AB, and she initially thought "ew, I don't like them!," but then one joined her Schutzhund group and just to see him work made her go heads over heels in love. All I said was...."told ya!" Edited by author Thu Nov 15, '12 1:38am PST
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I feel great I can contribute to this discussion in a meaningful way now! My dog has food allergies primarily to corn wheat and dairy, we feed her Blue Buffalo and or Natural Balance both relatively expensive ish but I will go look up less expensive brands for dogs with food allergies. Sorry though Science diet isn't very good a lot of well know grocery store stuff is pretty bad even if vets rec commend it they get free stuff aka food to say that. If he has food allergies easiest thing is to get a food without corn wheat or dairy since that stuff is fillers that usually cause a large part of food allergies to occur. This basically means if he has food allergies look for something that is limited ingredient or at least says no corn wheat dairy and animal by products then you know the food as a chance at least of being a higher quality 
that's the easiest way I found lol and like me you didn't get him tested I just limited the ingredients and gave Brandi better dog food and her itching decreased significantly now she just itches during times when allergins are going crazy in the air. AND SHE NO LONGER SNEEZES! Proof she is much better IN hind site they aren't expensive brands per say like Taste of Wild or anything . For ME I find it to be a good deal for our needs and we are willing to pay the price as it eans less 
I just get going sometimes and kinda forget the whole reason why I posted was because of Atlas 
BUT IF YOU DO DECIDE TO GO RAW know we will support and help you all the way 
once said allergies can also contribute to behavioral problems because if a dog isn't getting good nutrition sometimes it makes them feel yucky,
