Nutro Ultra.

Anything Nutro. I had a dachshund that was eating another brand. Quit eating, hair fell out. We got a free sample of Nutro and his hair grew back better than ever and he just turned around 360. They even guarantee their food 100% or your money back. We have never looked back after converting to this awesome stuff.

While waiting to keep your veterinarian’s appointment, try switching your dog to a limited ingredient diet (such as a duck and potato kibble) to see if that does help make a difference. You can try switching your dog’s kibble from “cheap brand foods” to other high-end foods, which are typically more expensive and more easily found in pet food specialty stores, rather than in supermarkets.

I am currently fostering a dog who has allergies. Like you, the owners assumed the dog was allergic to the food, and the vet sold them a very expensive prescription limited-ingredient food. After weeks and weeks on this food, there was no improvement - meanwhile the poor guy was scratching so much that he lost all his fur on his back, ripped open his skin, and developed infections. The owners eventually had him tested and found out he has no food allergies at all - but is allergic to cats, tobacco smoke, wool, ragweed, and a few grasses and trees. By that time, this dog was in agony. His owners gave him to a shelter, who asked me to foster him back to health so that he would be adoptable.

Please, learn from this lesson and get your girl tested. It may save both you and her months of agony and unnecessary expenses in the long run.

For more dog-related information, go to and read my dog related articles.

Look on the back label for proteins and fats. Protein should be no less than 30%, and fats no less than 18%. Also, look at the list of ingredients and meat should be the first thing (its usually chicken) on the list. Also stay away from foods that contain food coloring. With all this you should be able to find a good food, and there are many of these out there, that makes your dog one happy 4 legged animal

I would stay away from dogs that might have breathing issues (like pugs and bull dogs) or structural issues (like dachshunds). Lots of great potential agility dogs can be found in rescue since the average owner can’t handle all of that extra energy. It’s usually 99% the handler that makes a great agility dog, so make sure you take classes to educate yourself and prevent you from making the usual handler blunders that de-motivate great potential canine athletes.

Also, make sure you pick a dog that suits the rest of your lifestyle. A high drive dog isn’t going to be happy with you working 9-5 and going for a walk around the block. It is going to need many hours of exercise and training each day.

Dave Garrison