I have a lab/shepherd mix. I've tried a million different dog foods on him, and the only one that doesn't give him the itchies is venison and rice. The problem with that is that it makes his poop a little too soft. It's not diarrhea, but it isn't formed, making it difficult to pick up. I'm also thinking that it might be uncomfortable for him.

Anyway, it's either itchy skin and normal poop, or soft poop and normal skin. I've gone for the normal skin, but I'm thinking there must be something that can firm up the poop. I think I heard celery is good for that??? He probably wouldn't eat celery, but I guess I could give it a try. Is there anything else? I have asked the vet about it. She suggested metamucil (sp?), but I tried sprinkling some on his food, and he wouldn't eat it.

It sounds like your dog has food allergies and your vet needs to get your dog on an appropriate protocol to get this under control. How long has your dog been on the venison and rice? His gut may have been inflammed from the allergies and will take time to heal and get the poops back to normal. Other anti-allergy therapies may also been needed, like some immune suppresion or antihistamines. If your vet is not taking the problem seriously or you are unhappy with their suggestions, maybe it's time to find a new vet.

A spoonful of canned pumpkin (not the sweetened pie filling, but plain old pumpkin) is supposed to be good for firming up a dog's stool.

What dog food do you have him on? Many of the more popular brands are very grain-heavy, and some dogs have allergies to grains.