<human>: My dog recently started scratching himself more than usual. It didn't seem to be excessive yet, but I made a mental note to get him in to see the vet soon. 

Yesterday when I got home from work, I noticed some small scabs on his back, right by the base of his tail. This morning he had scratched/licked that spot until it was bleeding :(  Of course it's Saturday morning and the absolute soonest I can get him into a vet is Monday (which itself is unlikely). 

I don't know if it's just dry skin or it might possibly be something else ... any tips/home remedies/things I can safely try to soothe his itchiness until I can get him in to see the vet? I already feel like an asshole for not bringing him in sooner but I honestly didn't think it was anything serious. 

Data about dog: Dog is about 3 years old, mixed breed -- probably some sort of German shepherd/mastiff mix (adopted from a shelter so we don't know an awful lot about him). The only environmental changes I can think of recently have been the introduction of some new furniture (leather sofa), but he is not allowed on it so I don't think he's had much physical contact with it. We live in the NE United States. He has been eating Purina Beneful for the last 6 months. He spends most of his time on an old couch from the 1970s that he and our other dog have been sleeping on for the last several months. Both he and other dog only go outside on leashes, no unsupervised outdoor time. Other dog is a beagle/border collie mix who is not showing any signs of skin problems. I don't think it's fleas, because I am extremely sensitive to flea bites and experience has shown me that if there are fleas around, they will find me and bite me.

Can you give me the gist of the text in a nutshell?
<bot>: Big dog has itchy skin, can't get in to see vet for a few days, looking for safe home remedies.