Talk to your vet. Personally I don't mess with them and luckily we've never had a problem. If your dog ever has an issue, you'll know because the smell is nasty.

 

Obviously that book was written by somebody (I almost said dummy but that's probably not nice) who had a problem with their dog.

The anal glands do not need to be expressed if your dog is healthy and has solid poop. They naturally "mark" (empty their anal glands) every time they poop. They will also release their anals if freaked out.... <- Our dogs always seem to let go while they are being xrayed or having their nails clipped at the vet.... a certain amount of stress causes it.

I've heard of hereditary issues (like something isn't formed correctly or previous infections messed up with the tissue around there), but most of the time if your dog has soft stool all the time, they will become impacted and that's when they have to go to the vet to have it expressed. Our Sammy had a lot of collitis issues when he was a puppy and through his first year... and would frequently become impacted. He would either lick/scoot to release them himself - or we would take him to the vet if the problem didn't resolve itself within a day or two.

You absolutely do not want to do it yourself. It's disgusting.

 

That is something you need to check with your vet. We only had two dogs that had to have their anal glands expressed. There were times we took Jack in but there was nothing and there were times when it was completely disgusting. Actually one time it all came out all over the vet assistant - poor thing had to go home, bathe, change etc.

 

My vet showed me how to do it and yes not a fun job. I only do this when she shows signs of being uncomfortable. She has always had issues with her glands. She would lick alot and I can tell she is miserable and not feeling well.

 

Both of mine occasionally start scooting. If they do it for more than a few days I take them in to have the vet express them. They are usually three quarters to full.