Somewhere around a client's third or fourth visit, we usually get some version of the same question, asked in a slightly lowered voice like they're confessing something: "Do you guys... do the gland thing?" Yes — we do the gland thing, as an optional add-on to any groom. It's one of the least glamorous parts of grooming and one of the most useful, and it's something most owners never think to ask about until they've watched their dog scoot across the living room carpet for the first time.
What Anal Glands Actually Do
Every dog has two small glands just inside the anus, roughly at the four and eight o'clock positions. They produce a strong-smelling secretion that dogs use for scent marking and communication with other dogs — it's a big part of why dogs are so intensely interested in sniffing each other, and each other's yards, on a walk. In most healthy dogs, normal bowel movements apply enough pressure on the way out to express the glands naturally, a little at a time, without anyone ever noticing it's happening.
Some dogs don't empty them well on their own, though. Softer stool doesn't create as much pressure, some dogs simply have narrower duct openings than others, and smaller breeds seem to run into this more often than large ones in our experience — though we've expressed glands on dogs of every size over the years. When the glands don't empty naturally, the secretion builds up, thickens, and starts to feel uncomfortable for the dog.
Signs Your Dog's Glands Need Attention
This is the part most owners recognize once they know what they're looking at:
- Scooting — dragging the rear end along the floor or carpet
- Excessive licking or chewing at the base of the tail or underneath it
- A sudden, sharp odor that seems to come out of nowhere
- Sitting down abruptly or seeming uncomfortable after being perfectly fine a moment before
- Turning to look at or chase their own tail more than usual
None of these automatically mean something is seriously wrong — most of the time it just means the glands are full and ready to be expressed. But it's exactly the kind of thing worth mentioning to us at your next appointment, or to your vet if it's happening often or seems to be causing your dog real discomfort.
An Add-On at Any Groom — Just Ask
At American Puppy, anal gland expression is an optional add-on rather than an automatic part of every groom — and that's a deliberate choice, because not every dog needs it and not every owner wants it. Plenty of dogs empty their glands naturally their whole lives, some owners prefer to keep gland care with their vet, and expressing glands that don't need it can cause irritation of its own. So instead of doing it to every dog by default, we do it when you ask — just mention it when you book or at drop-off.
When you do add it, it takes seconds. We apply gentle external pressure at the correct angle, and if there's buildup, it releases. If the glands turn out to be mostly empty, there's nothing to force — we move on with the rest of the groom. And if your dog has been showing any of the signs above, tell us and we'll take care of it that same visit.
When It's More Than a Routine Check
Every so often we come across glands that are more than just full — noticeably thicker, harder to express than usual, or paired with swelling, redness, or an odor that goes beyond the normal smell. That's not something we treat or diagnose; it's a sign of possible infection or impaction, and it's a conversation for your vet, not something to manage at the grooming table. We'll always tell you exactly what we found so you can make that call.
If your dog is scooting constantly, seems to be in real pain, or the area looks swollen or irritated between visits, that's worth a vet visit on its own rather than waiting for the next groom.
Should You Try This at Home?
We'd rather you didn't, honestly — not because it's some secret technique, but because it's easy to do more harm than good without knowing exactly where and how much pressure to apply. Over-expressing glands that don't need it can cause irritation of its own. This is one of those small, unglamorous jobs that's genuinely worth leaving to a professional groomer or your vet's office rather than a tutorial video and a roll of paper towels.
How to Add It to Your Dog's Groom
This one's worth putting out in the open: gland expression is a simple add-on here — just ask for it when you book, or mention it at drop-off, and we'll fold it into the groom. If your dog needs a standalone visit for this between grooms, we're happy to do that too — no full groom required, the same way a quick nail trim doesn't require one.
Between the ears, the nails, the coat, and everything else we run through at every visit — plus add-ons like gland expression whenever you want them — staying on a regular grooming schedule means small issues get caught early instead of turning into the kind of thing that has your dog scooting across the floor in front of guests. We cover a few of the other early signs we watch for in our guide to knowing when your dog is overdue for a groom.
If your dog is a known scooter or has needed gland help before, just say so when you book and we'll add it to their routine here in St. Charles. Ready to get your dog on a regular schedule? Book an appointment here — and if you want the gland expression added on, just tell us at drop-off.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are a dog's anal glands?
Two small glands just inside the anus that produce a strong-smelling fluid dogs use for scent marking. Most healthy dogs empty them naturally during normal bowel movements, without any help needed.
Why is my dog scooting?
Scooting usually means the anal glands are full and uncomfortable. It's common and not usually an emergency, but it's worth having checked at your next groom, or by your vet if it keeps happening or seems painful.
Do groomers express anal glands?
Yes — at American Puppy it's an optional add-on you can request with any groom, or as a quick standalone visit. We keep it as an add-on rather than automatic because not every dog needs it and not every owner wants it — just ask when you book or at drop-off.
Is anal gland expression painful for dogs?
A routine expression on glands that are simply full is quick and shouldn't cause more than momentary discomfort. Pain, swelling, or an odor beyond the usual smell can be a sign of infection or impaction, which is a question for your vet, not something we diagnose.
Can I express my dog's anal glands myself at home?
You can, but we'd recommend leaving it to a professional groomer or your vet. It's easy to apply the wrong pressure or angle, and over-expressing glands that don't need it can cause irritation of its own.
How often do dogs need their anal glands expressed?
It varies a lot by dog — some never need help at all, others need it every few weeks. If your dog is one who needs the help, just add gland expression to their regular grooms at American Puppy and the schedule will usually keep it from becoming a between-visit problem.