I would keep up with the fish oil and do antihistamine trials. I'd also launder his bedding and rinse him well, too, just in case this is a pollen/grass thing (I know, wrong season.....) or anything he dragged in on his fur and is now breathing it 24/7.

I'd probably eliminate alfalfa and flax, since a few dogs are sensitive to them. I might give a little canola or olive oil too, since he's on a pretty low-fat diet.

I'd keep a log of when the worst scratching was.

Okay, will do. Launder his bedding pretty regular, don't rinse him though--was afraid it would further dry his skin==and he hates it! Think there's alfalfa in the veggie mix (maybe that's why he doesn't like it--he KNOWS....)
Do give him olive oil--did that before the fish oil.
I will start that log now! Although, have to say, it's very intermittent. I just notice it most at night when he's inside with me...during the day he's out a lot--he has a large fenced area...and when we're working or playing or hiking, he just stops occasionally to scratch. I'm still wondering, if despite the fact that it's cold, it may still be fleas (lurking in the house perhaps?)

This is long but just a few of the suggestions I have of things that worked for me that arent immediatly obvious (we've been at this for 8 years and sometimes you get desperate!!)

Flea treatment year round, if he is possibly allerigc to fleas donr risk the bites by skipping the drops in the winter.

I would recommend getting him acclimated to baths, when dealing with itchies or skin issues lots of rinsing and bathing and topical treatments will likely be involved. IT helps if they dont freak out about a bath.
When Nico gets really bad in the spring she gets rinsed at least daily, sometimes morning and evening to get all of the pollen off.

Also watch for the source of your poultry, some of the major chicken suppliers for even the human food chain use a ridiculous amount of hormones and antibiotics and other crap which some super sensitive dogs/people can have issues with.

Also what is his bedding made of, Just recently I found an old camping blanket of my husbands and gave it to the dogs to lay on. It was a really thick soft acrylic something or other with a giant eagle on it, Im not sure of exact contents since the tag wasnt on it but it was something synthetic and while she enjoyed she softness of it it set of her itchies like crazy and took me awhile to figure out it was the blanket.
She is now sleeping on an organic cotton covered cotton dog bed. Darn thing cost more than our new slipcover!! But she seems to be doing better with it.

I would also add some yogurt or keifer or probiotic capsules to his meal, they yogurt or kefir are chocked full of goodness and dont upset tummies like regular dairy and the probiotics can help wtih any yeast or fungus issues.

Nico is prone to yeast infections in her groin, armpits and ears and i have been known to wet her down and slather those areas with yogurt, then play fetch or something for a bit to let it sit and then rinse rinse rinse like crazy. The yogurt is cooling and soothing the cultures can help fight the topical yeast infection. It really does seem to help.

Great suggestions!
His bedding is primarily cotton (yea, more expensive than my bedding!), although he just loves sleeping mostly on the pine wood floor--it's cooler I think.
He's outside during the day a lot too and bedding is cedar chips, under the porch--or the porch floor--he prefers cedar--he has a house, but won't use it..hmmmm.
Haven't been giving him yogurt for awhile, but started again recently--never thought of using it topically. Am looking for probiotics to give him.
Problem with wetting him down/baths is drying him off--it's cold outside and it's tough to dry him adequately with towels (won't even attemp the hair dryer! yikes) (that GSD coat is THICK!)--in no time the house smells totally like wet dog (plus he just FREAKS with baths). And doesn't that just dry his skin more in the all ready "heat dry" house? I live in a log cabin and it's VERY dry with the log inside which just sucks up the moisture. I have a humidifier, but even then it's only like 30% humidity in here.
I personally don't shower as often in winter because my skin dries so much (not to say I'm not clean--but there are days
You are right about the fleas. I guess in my ignorance I thought they wouldn't be around in winter--but I'll start treating again for them and see if it helps.
The fish oil has all ready helped relieve his discomfort and that's good.
M

 Quote: Jennifer Lee

Flea treatment year round, if he is possibly allerigc to fleas donr risk the bites by skipping the drops in the winter.

I would recommend getting him acclimated to baths, when dealing with itchies or skin issues lots of rinsing and bathing and topical treatments will likely be involved. IT helps if they dont freak out about a bath.
When Nico gets really bad in the spring she gets rinsed at least daily, sometimes morning and evening to get all of the pollen off...... I would also add some yogurt or keifer or probiotic capsules to his meal, they yogurt or kefir are chocked full of goodness and dont upset tummies like regular dairy and the probiotics can help wtih any yeast or fungus issues.

I don't know how I forgot the probiotics! Good catch!

And the rinsing..... was one of the biggies I took away from Messonier's book.

 Quote: Martha Regula

Great suggestions! bedding is cedar chips, under the porch--or the porch floor--he prefers cedar--he has a house, but won't use it..hmmmm.

Some dogs are sensitive to the oil in cedar shavings.
http://www.vetinfo4dogs.com/dogmaint.html#Cedar%20shavings%20as%20bedding

Plain yogurt with active (live) cultures is a good source of probiotics.

 Quote: Martha Regula

I will start that log now! Although, have to say, it's very intermittent.

That's why. There is nothing like pencil on paper to show you connections.

 Quote: Martha Regula

... about the fleas. I guess in my ignorance I thought they wouldn't be around in winter--but I'll start treating again for them and see if it helps.
The fish oil has all ready helped relieve his discomfort and that's good.
M

Are you in a warm climate? I try to keep chemicals to a minimum, but flea hypersensitivity is miserable, and year-round in many places.

Ohio?

Hmmm. Probably not. :>

When has he been vaccinated? did i miss that part somewhere, if it correlates at all i know Thuja is often used as a remedy for vaccinosis, I also give Nico Sulphur 3x and sometimes Silicia 30x depending on the current issue. Im no expert so research or advice from a homeopath is a good thing!

Humidity:
If its that dry in your house you might try putting some water to simmer on the stove, or even in the crockpot to steam...also hanging laundry to dry can add moisture.
Im so dry and itchy right now i want to scream, my skin will crack and bleed if im not diligent with lotion or balm.

Topical yogurt:
don't put the yogurt in the ear!! only around and on it...I don't think i made that clear earlier.
Oh and the neighbors will think you are totally crazy if they see you rubbing yogurt on your dogs groin and personal bits....dont even bother explaining just smile and wave Ask me how i know

Lateley i have been trying OTIC enzymatic solution with hydrocortisone in her ears and it seems to be helping, I am tempted to rub a bit of it into her armpits.

Fleas:
There could still be a flea or two hiding indoors though that havent been effected by the cold. Better safe than sorry as allergies can become proggressively worse with exposure.

The ONLY good thing about recently being without power for 10 days was that our house was below freezing for days on end, natural flea control. I use frontline on the cats and revolution on the dogs, but the occasional flea still gets in.
She is so allergic i just cant chance her getting bit as it sets off a horrid cycle that is getting worse with time.

Bathing:
I wouldnt want a wet stinky dog either, and dampness encourages yeast and bacteria to grow. Thankfully Nico has very short almost waterproof fur so she dries quickly!

You might try rinsing feet and legs only if he seems bothered down there.

But once spring and summer come id work on getting him acclimated to baths, its so nice to not have a total breakdown everytime they need a bath.

Apple cider vinegar diluted in a spray either with plain distilled water or sometimes I make strong Calendula tea to dilute it with can help calm itchies too.


Other random possibilites:
You say he is itchier in the basement, could it be an issue with concrete outgassing or some other chemical issue, i dont know how old your house is. Mold or mildew is also possible in a basement.

But both of my huskies have scratched immediately when they got some cuddle time on the bed with us. We figured out it was avoidance behavior rather than a true itch. Does he possibly not care for your basement.

what do you clean or mop with, could he be sensitive to it?

I use only white vinegar or a tiny bit of dr. bronners castile in the mop water after she vomited repeatedly after i used fabuloso to mop.

I also use vinegar in a Downy ball in the washing machine, it works as a fabric softener and also helps reduce soap residue on bedding and our clothing.

Dust mites can be a trigger as can Cats.