Tyler can actually pay attention and respond quite well when we are here at home. Yesterday, at the vet, though, he was a maniac. Mostly because everyone was loving on him and cuddling him and squealing about how cute he is.

Puppy school is in the middle of a retail place (Petsmart), so it ought to be chaotic and distracting. LOL! I guess if he can learn to pay attention in that atmosphere, he’ll end up really well trained…

I can’t imagine all those grassy allergens out in the desert. Here it is high ragweed season, so both Rufus and I are miserable. Plus the mosquitos are breeding like crazy on LI, and they LOVE me.

Yes, my left side and right side do not match. Sigh.

Yes, “practiced” is the right term. I’ve been at it for about 8 years now — but didn’t start doing a dedicated daily practice until 3 years ago.

We’re just back from the vet. She thinks it’s a bit of a staph infection (puppy acne) and prescribed some anitibiotics. She said it’s quite common in puppies, especially large breeds, because they are growing fast and their immune systems are struggling to keep up.

He’s cheery and happy, so it’s nothing dire. I just hate that he is so itchy in the morning. Hopefully this will clear it up quickly.

Sunday we start puppy training school. That should give me something to write about! He’s a delight, and I am totally in love with him.

Karen

I am sorry to hears that Tyler is still having skin issues. It’s odd, it’s just not something we normally see in our dogs.

Other than that, how is the little devil?? His maniac little sister damn near cut her toe off 2 weeks ago (to the tune of 8 stitches!!) but that’s a whole other story, she is “hell on wheels”.

Luv the blog…..not only to read Tyler updates but to follow my facination with Yoga. I am extremely uneducated about the subject but I think I am learning. How long have you practiced (don’t know if that is the right word, lol) Yoga?

Keep up the good work!

Tami

Scottsdale was basically settled by Chicagoans. (My parents and sister live there. They’re all from Ohio.)They brought their love of grassy lawns with them. Grassy lawns not suited to Scottsdale and have created Midwestern style allergies. A bit simplified, but that’s what happenend.

The breeder said Tyler’s dad had grass allergies the first summer of his life, then outgrew them… Hope that’s all this is.

I imagine The Cop’s read Dr. Pitcairn. I’ve just learned the diet from him.

We’re using a kibble called “Now.”

S, we are in Scottsdale. Tyler eats a BARF diet (bones and raw food). The Cop is convinced this diet is why Maxine has lived so long & so healthily. He chops vegetables for them, and then adds raw ground meat & bones, and some yogurt.

Because we can’t pour raw meat down Tyler’s throat fast enough to keep up with his ravenous appetite, we are also giving him some kibble. It’s a non-grain kibble — just turkey and duck.

I’m going to try the EFA idea! Right now, in fact. I’m tempted to rub some ON him, too, at this point!

What are you feeding Tyler? I forget what area of the country you live in but I think it’s desert-esque? Which means probably few airborn allergens (but very dry air, probably not helping). That would point to a food allergen. The majority of dogs are allergic to wheat and wheat gluten, an ingredient often found in even the priciest of dog foods. Corn can also be a culprit. Try a homemade diet for a few weeks and see if the itching stops? Either lamb and rice or chicken and rice? And/or try an omega fatty acid supplement. Ok, I’ve been outed, I’m a dog geek.