They think he has fleas!

[hmeadq]

Docs favorite thing to do during down times at class is to sit and scratch! and scratch, and scratch and scratch...

He is flealess, we've checked him and he is on Sentinel.

We are feeding him Innova, he gets a raw egg (fresh from our chickens) and a fish oil capsule every day.

He is bathed with non-allergenic puppy shampoo when he needs it (every 2 or 3 weeks).

At home he has more interesting things to do then scratch, between toys and chewies. When he starts at home a leave it, and a toy and he is done. But at class he just scratches...

Other people stare at him when he does it and some have asked if he has fleas (obviously is not supposed to when he is class.)

What else can we do? I don't know if he is itchy or bored...

[StephanieandToby]

I walk a GSD that is perfectly fine when she's doing what she wants. The second I give her a command, or put her in a situation she's not too happy with she sits on her butt and scratches and scratches....I think it's a "stall tactic" and I don't put up with it. Maybe a stress response???(some dogs yawn...some dogs scratch??) Just a thought.

[hmeadq]

We correct him if we are doing an activity. But I don't want to be constantly correcting him and making classes too stressful for him. I've thought abut bringing a toy for distraction, but no one else in class does so I'm hesitant to.

[Canadianrotti]

Originally Posted by hmeadq

He is bathed with non-allergenic puppy shampoo when he needs it (every 2 or 3 weeks).

I am not sure about this, but every couple of weeks seems excessive. We only bathe our dogs if they have rolled in something really stinky, otherwise it is just a good brushing to get the crud out. Bathing too much can cause skin problems from what I understand.

Have you asked a vet or maybe a trainer at class what they think? Our pups are going through a little dry skin issue now because of the cold weather. We just bought humidifiers for the house to help (them and us )

Also, our traning facility is at about 0% moisture year round. After being there for only 20 min, I notice my skin as well as Raelins is getting dry.

[Zephir]

I think you are bathing him too much if you are bathing every 2-3 weeks. That could be a cause for his itching. As for the toy in class, talk to your instructor. As long as he is not distracting other dogs in class, who cares.

[lblax]

Originally Posted by hmeadq

We are feeding him Innova, he gets a raw egg (fresh from our chickens) and a fish oil capsule every day.

He is bathed with non-allergenic puppy shampoo when he needs it (every 2 or 3 weeks).

.

innova and eggs are 2 of the very most alergic things he can have while innova is good its only good if your dog can tolerate it... and regardless of what kind of shampoo you use 2 to 3 weeks is too often to bath any way. storm has had 2 baths in 5 years he has no smell.... and just because they are on sentinal doesnt mean that he is not getting bit by fleas at training

[groupieindenial]

I've always brought something with me to keep him occupied, just in case. When he was wee little, and we were doing puppy k, I always had a cornstarch bone, any other type of bone he would have just been possessive aggressive (at that time), and the starch bone he liked enough to chew, but not enough to get mad over it. I don't need anything anymore, but there is alwalys something in my purse when I go to class, you never know when he's going to act restless. Whilst in my research for a new trainer, I read on some sites that they recommended it so that your dog doesn't disrupt, and delay the class like if they are a barker.

[rottnkidd]

hmeadq-I don't know your dog and whether fleas or diet are a problem or not, but dogs will scratch or yawn when bored, or when they just don't want to work. I've been there! I'd just tell him that's enough, back to work, and have him do a sit or down, praise him and bring out a small toy for a quick tug.
You're in class to learn, not to play, but you've got to do what works for your dog. Make it fun and exciting and he won't have time to be scratching.
Best wishes-
kathy
p.s. I'm unable to send you a pm, and I'd like to know if you'd be interested in a Herding Clinic coming up this month? It's for newbies! Let me know...