Anal glands

On both sides of the dogs rectal opening are the anal glands (compared to a clock at 4 and 8 hour) . These glands are connected with the rectal by a small "channel". The glands producing a liquid with a very characteristic odor and will be added to the stool through that small  channel. Because of the odor the dog can define his/her territory and  "communicate" with other dogs. It wil let other dogs know: I was here...! Sniffing at places where other dogs have done their needs is important.  Sniffing is for dogs almost like 'reading the newspaper'.  By sniffing at those places he will pick-up the latest news.
'snif...snif...hm...this is a nice smell from the girl next door.....snif...snif....ow....my concurrent was here too...snif..snif....hm....a new one. Is it a boy or a girl?

Every dog ​​has its own characteristic smell partly because of these anal glands.  As said ... the glands will be expressed with every stool.*

Food has an important role in this. Soft stools ensures that the anal glands can not being expressed or not being expressed enough. The glands become over loaded and the result is a sort of 'pocket' into the glands which is filled with anal gland fluid. Into that pocket bacterial growth build up to some kind of 'ferment'. With all the consequences.

The normal anal gland have the size of a pea and is barely felt. The overfilled anal gland is clearly felt and sometimes seen. The conclusion is clear: full anal glands should be expressed manually. Let your vet do this.

Once the anal glands are expressed manually you need to change the food of your dog. Soft stool should be avoided ...! The dog needs to get good food that gives compact stools. A soft stool isn't able to press firmly enough against the dog's anal glands to provide the necessary pressure to express them.
Ofcourse full anal glands must be expressed manually, but you must try to prevent this. Manually expressing the anal glands stimulated the glands to create new fluid and when it is not coming out by natural way it need to be removed manually again and again. That way you fall into a vicious circle. Also manual pushing the anal glands again and again gives irritation and the glands themselves can become infected. The ultimate consequence of that continually manually pushing the anal glands is often ending in a surgical removal of the glands. But remember.....by removing the anal glands you also are taking away a part of the dogs personality.

Symptoms of anal gland problems:
Sledding.
Biting and licking (around the tail)
Abscess ** next to the anus. (this is very painful)

If you see any of the above symptoms a trip to the vet is necessary.

*  Animals can also express their anal glands with extreme fear. But  this should be seen as a defensive method. (like skunks)

** A ruptured abscess occurs next to the rectal opening and you can see pus/slime/blood coming out.