My poor Yellow Lab/Pit mix (Buddy) has Hot Spots, any suggestions?

[daniellematis]

My pit mix has all kinds of allergies. She gets hot spots sometimes on her tail.

[CKMW]

My lab mix used to get hot spots all the time until I changed his food to Wellness and home cooked (meat, rice, green beans + a supplement called "Missing Link"). Not one hot spot since; better coat, no smelly breath. Yes, it's more expensive but when you weigh it against vet bills and him being miserable, it's well worth it. He also used to shake his head all the time even though the vet said his ears were clear. Apparently, this is also a sign of food allergies.

[mzbeers]

He is finally getting better! I had to put the dreaded cone on him for days. His problem was he would be home alone all day and just sit and scratch that spot for hours. I hated putting that thing on him, I worried about him not being able to drink any water while we were gone, but he survived!