In my experience with my DH and his allergy to dogs amongst other things, it's not something you grow out of. He was always a 'sick' child with lots of colds, runny noses etc. It wasn't until we got a dog that he started getting reactions again and investigated to find out he was allergic to dogs, cats, horses and dust mite. This explained his childhood illness to him as there were always cats inside, the odd dog outside etc.

He went to a specialist for treatment with the dust mite allergy but the specialisst advice regarding the dogs was it couldn't be treated and suggested we get rid of the dogs. There are times when DH only has to walk into a house with a cat and he'll get tight in the chest, a dog just has to brush his arm or leg and he'll come up in what looks like lots of mozzie bites.

This isn't the news you probably wanted to hear but it's our experience. It would be nice to think someone has a more positive one for you.