So I was just reading about the dog that is scooting its hiney across the floor....and a bunch of folks mentioned expressing the anal glands.  As much as I know about dogs, I err..I didn't know I was supposed to be doing this!  Is it harmful if it isn't done?  I knew that Chinese dogs had anal glands (our Shar Pei freaked out over a chainsaw and skunked us), but I honest to goodness didn't know that ALL dogs had them!

I never get these guys groomed.  They've all got short hair; I just bathe them and go about my business.  Am I supposed to be doing this at home when they get baths?  If so, do I need special tools, or a gas mask, LOL?    And how do I go about this seemingly disgusting task???

if a dog is not showing any signs of discomfort I wouldn't start just for the heck of it most of the time when you start doing them you have to keep doing them.  If you feed a good diet usually that helps nature take care of itself.