anal glands

I have the book Callie mentioned, it was an intimidating read.  I would definately have my vet show me how to do this, even then I would do it if I had no other option.    Mack is a big fella, I dunno if I could face that job.   Jules

So, let me get this right.  If your dog scoots on the floor then they will need to have these glands expressed?  Nigel will try to scoot on the floor every once in a while, but I think that has more to do with him eating long blades of grass or ieces of my hair and then things "hang around" when he is done pooping.  Niether I nor the vet has ever done this for Nigel or Sydney, do all dogs have to have this done or do some do just fine without it being done?   Can you tell if they are full just by feeling their butt?

No "all" dogs don't need it done.  But usually if they 'scoot' it IS an indication the glands are full.  Dogs typically don't 'mind' if they have 'dangles' (don't we all have our own names for THAT one?? LOL) unless you see something 'attached' at the time they are doing it. 
 
Some dogs need it more than others, and bigger dogs *tend* not to need it done as often as small to medium-sized dogs.  I've had all types -- it's not usually a breed thing .. it's more an individual dog thing.
 
And honestly, I have never just sat down and 'read' Giffen & Carlson's cover to cover.  It's more a reference book.  (More than once I've reached for THAT in the middle of the night or at midnight trying to determine if something is a true  "emergency" that we need to head to the e-vet for!!  It's a good resource.)

As far as breeds that have a propensity for anal gland issues, cocker spaniels DO seem to inherit these problems. Schnauzers would probably be next on the list, but other than that, it's more of an individual dog-by-dog thing. As Callie said, the larger dogs hardly ever seem to have any problems that we have seen.
As groomers, we do use external manipulation to express anal glands, but if we feel the glands are not expressing adequately, then we advise the dog owner to take the dog to their vet. Groomers that are experienced, can get good results using this method. It is extremely important (in some cases) the glands be expressed to keep them from getting impacted, which would then require surgery.
I still feel that diet and nutrition can help in alot of cases, but it's not 100% in every dog.

I have always been scared to squeeze the glands too hard and bursting them.Is this possible,or would you really have to squeeze hard to rupture them?

Not sure, but I think the more gentle you could be the better...

Oh my god I have NEVER heard of this practice! Do all dogs need it? Neither my breeder or vet have ever mentioned it to me. Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels need it? Or is something you only need to do when your dog gets older. Mine is a 2 year old.

Oops just read Calliecritturs response. Gotcha. Haven't seen any danglies so far!

When Dakota was on Wellness, his poo wasn't very firm, so he started scooting his butt across the grass.  Having a weak stomach, I would take Dakota to the vet to have his anal glands expressed.  Now that Dakota is on a food (Innova) that causes his poo to be much firmer, he no longer has anal gland problems.  Thank goodness!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Or is something you only need to do when your dog gets older. Mine is a 2 year old.

My dog's started acting up, badly, when she was 3 months old. Definitely not an older dog thing, and not a breed specific thing. If you take your dog to a groomer, they likely express his glands.

Is this really necessary?  My vet has never said anything about it and my girl has no problem with her bowel movements.  Should I ask the vet about it next time she's there?

We took our dogs in for grooming 4 days ago and they are acting like something is really bothering their rear ends. They are not happy and as soon as they come in from outside, they try to reach their rear ends and then sit down real quick.  From a quick check, it does not appear that they have any cuts from being groomed.  We get them groomed every 6-7 weeks and this is the first time they have acted like this.  Any ideas?

Callie,
Thanks for the great play by play...very informative.

And this is why I have large dogs xD  Don't know any Shepherds or Corgis that need to have their glands expressed manually unless you're physically ill

My black dog has a big problem with this.  I believe he is considered large at about 70 lbs..  He is mixed lab/cocker/who knows?, my foundling. 
One time at the vet, he had a shot, blood drawn, and a biopsy on a lump.  With all the poking, we were both stressed out and ready to leave.  Forgot to do the last "poke."
I brushed him 2 days later and noticed a bulge.  I planned on going to the vet the next day to get it taken care of, of course it was Sunday night, but it burst!  Poor boy!  Off to the emergency vet.  They gave me medicine to put in it, which no one showed me, and I'm embarrassed to say, but I thought it was inside the anus. 
For the follow up a couple days later, the vet medicated the correct area and had to express the other side, the emergency care only did the one side. ?  He was surprised to hear that the emergency vet gave me the medicine to put in the gland.  He told me that most dogs will not just "let" you do it.  It was also the first time that they had to use "nose insurance" on my dog. 
Needless to say, I asked the vet receptionist/tech to put it on my/his chart to alert them to have this proceedure done everytime we come in.