I think Bandit has a proble her anal glands/sack or whatever it's called. I've noticed she has had butt breathe and is licking down there a lot. I don't want to pay again to have it done but I'm scared to do it myself. Anyone have any advise how to tell for sure and any pointers on expressing them?

I've never done it, but there are a lot of videos on youtube on how to do it if you are wanting to give it a go yourself. From what I've read symptoms are rubbing their but, licking/chewing, weird fishy odor and such. Good luck, wish I could help you out more.

Tony, I didn't want to delve into this subject, but................imho, a dog should only have this procedure done for a few reasons, 1) as a puppy who is having constant tummy problems, and has constant loose stool, and excessive bowel movements. 2) chronic infection of the anal glands. 3) shape of anal glands are not right and dog can not express them on their own.

In light of your other thread, is Bandit eating properly, and are her movements excessive, say more than 3 or 4 times a day and/or are they super soft/loose? A healthy dog should be able to express them on their own throw good bowel movements. If a dog is not eating properly on a constant basis, then you have problems. A trip to the vet may be in order, to rule out problems. If she has no medical problems then it's her diet. You need to carefully monitor her diet. Expressing anal glands on a frequent basis is not healthy for a dog, and it is not a fun experience for the person doing it. You can correct this problem, if it's not medically related, and you don't need to get them expressed, by simply making sure she is eating properly and pooping a firm poop, no more than 3 times a day (that's a ball park number may be more or less, as long as they are firm). 3 or 4 days of good poops should clear her problem on her own, if not I suggest going to the vet to determine the cause......

Tony, totally forgot to mention that Tape Worm will have similar signs, as in butt scooting, excessive licking, and just a constant interest in her behind. You may need to check for tape worm as well. I also suggest keeping a can of pure pumpkin, 2 tablespoons when she has loose stools for a couple of days will help, and fyi, can pure pumpkin helps when poops are too hard, so it's a great item to have in the house, just in case.....make sure it's pure pumpkin and not pie filling. I do have a thread on the medical section of the forum on how to spot and treat tape worm, use the search engine and just type in tape worm and you will find it, good luck.

Hate typo's, lol, my above post says throw meant through....

I wanted to add I have worked with the groomers at my work a few times and with anal glands they normally are only an issue on old dogs and little dogs. Little dogs tend to have issues with them but normally medium and large dogs don't have issues with it unless they are having some other issue. If you thing he is having an issue keep an eye on it and bring it up next time you are in the vet for puppy shots. If it gets a lot worse you would of course want to take him to the vet sooner.

I have been keeping an eye on it and did a little watching of YouTube videos. I think she is fine. I'm guess she just wanted to do a little butt licking ewww