The most common cause of these crazy skin problems is allergies, especially with this breed. These allergies could be from grass, contact with a cleaner or chemical or could even be food related. The allergy part is sometimes tough to treat but there are some simple things that you can do.
- Talk with your vet about a low allergy diet. Rabbit and potato is my favorite and my dogs do well on it.
- Get the dog started on frontline to eliminate the chance that this is a flea allergy. If he's already on it, keep in mind that it only takes ONE flea to get the cycle started if the dog is allergic to fleas.
- Use a prescribed dose of benadryl when this gets bad. My vet recommends 1 mg per lb of dog given every 8-12 hours as needed when the itching starts
When the dog abrades the skin by chewing and scratching, this opens up the body to infection. Many dogs need antibiotics because of this.
See the vet so that they can get the dog started on an antibiotic if you suspect this.
Many dogs also need a shot of prednisone to control the itch and give the skin time to heal.
Keep in mind that you thyroid conditions can also cause hair loss and skin issues so you will want to have this checked if the suggestions above do not help.
"Hot spots" happen when the skin is abraded (it can even be something as small as a tick bite that causes the skin to open). When the skin is abraded and it then gets wet from licking or swimming, etc, bacteria is introduced because of the moisture and this causes the hot spot.
The best thing for a hot spot or bacterial problems is to wash the area well with peroxide and then shave all the hair away from the sore. Hair traps moisture and you don't want that. Then dry the area completely and apply some neosporine ointment. Distract the dog for 5 minutes and then he can lick it.
If this doesn't help, you will need to see the vet to be sure it IS a hot spot and to get possible antibiotics.
Let me know if you still have questions.
I hope this helps!