Our Chocolate Lab mutt struggles with allergies off an on. I'm not sure if it is something he gets into at the neighbors or if he is allergic to pollen or grass of some sort.  He also has ear infection problems.  When he has problems he gets lethargic and spend a lot of time licking his paws.  This spring he got an allergy shot and was a different dog in the following weeks.  I wanted to get him another one and the vet suggested I try the benedryl thing.  Three tablets twice a day.  After a few days he was the happiest dog in the world.  I continued it for about ten days and then quit and he is still doing good.