Dear Cheryl-
I am really sorry to hear that your Cocker Spaniel is so driven to ‘help’ with taking out the trash. I have a hunch that she is too smart for her own good & could use a little more stimulation. I would suggest that she receive at least one meal from a treat dispensing dog toy daily (Tug a Jug, Treatstik). She will have to use her 007 detective skills to learn how to get her meal out of the ball. She will spend more time working for her food & less time looking for paper to shred.

Also, dogs who receive two leash walks a day tend to be better balanced. I am guilty of letting my dogs out to run around in the yard as I do our farm chores a majority of the time. It is pretty amazing to see their eyes light up when I break out the leash for a real walk. There is something to be said for that connection you get with your pet as you are working together as a team for a good walk. If you can only squeak out five minutes twice a day it will really make a difference in her life.

It is difficult to determine if your dog is being destructive due to a dietary deficiency. My suggestion would be to ask your veterinarian what foods would be ‘legal’ to feed her as a snack. She may appreciate a few more veggies in her diet since she is really searching out the grass clumps. Even though she is on a restrictive diet there are some veggies etc that are allowed. If you stick with cooling veggies and fruits (ie lettuce, celery, cucumber, watermelon, banana) your dog is less likely to have a flare up of her skin allergies.

As you seek additional options for your pet you may find yourself thinking about your diet etc. I would recommend you consider getting the book Healing with Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford. I came across this book during my acupuncture training, and it has been an eye-opener.

Good luck with your dog, Cheryl. Keep us posted on her progress.

-Abby Strobbe, DVM