I seen this mentioned a few times in various topics.

Do I have to empty my puppies anal glands........that wasn't in the contract....

If so how, what, when, why????

Lisa

Some dogs (especially, it appears those fed of a soft diet) sometimes develop a revolting smell around their anus. There are two glands either side of the anus which can get infected unless emptied out and that is what causes the smell. Normally, these glands get emptied out by the natural bowel movements. In the case where they become impacted, they need to be emptied, usually for the first time at the Vets.

So no, you shouldn't have to empty them ..unless a problem develops :)

Sounds very grim, thats a relief!! Naturally would been a mans job so my partner would have to do it!!!

Im just for walks, playing, kisses and cuddles!

When I had GSD's it seemed to be necessary every couple of months and it is not that difficult, but you need to be shown and it is not needed on a puppy. Have never needed to do it on my present breed unless they are very elderly.

Lisam
have you had dogs previous to the two you have now ?

I've had dogs when I was alot younger and I didnt have full responsibilty for them, jobs like anal gland removal was always done but someone else!
I've countless amounts of books to read that people have recommended so Im learning more and more by the day.
Thats why CD is good for me to pick up lots of tips and things that I wouldn't know or think about....its all a learning process.

<<its all a learning process"

Aint that the truth :) :D

One of my boys has to make the trip to the vet every three months or so to have his emptied-no matter how firm him poos may be, there seems to be no emptying them himself! :(  I would 100 times rather pay the vet to do it rather than do it myself!  And the smell really is revolting..  Especially when the first time he had them full and jumped up for a cuddle and it started leaking out onto my sleeve... :)  I am sensitive to the warning signs now though!  I am trying him on Burns just now though, as I have heard it could help...  So we shall see! :)

I just came back from the vet and asked him to empty Abby's anal glands for me, which he did.  He's the chatty sort and he said that he's noticed that in dogs where he's had to remove the glands because of reoccurring problems that the ducts to the gland are slightly longer than they should be per the textbooks.  His theory is that if the ducts are too long the all the fluid cannot be expelled properly (naturally or by manual intervention) so it impacts the gland and causes problems. 

Stacey