This smelly substance has a very strong odor which is very unpleasant to humans.  We believe that it’s primary purpose for dogs is for marking their territory. 

In todays domestic dog the anal glands can often be the cause of potentially serious health problems.  Occasionally the anal gland secretions are not released naturally and will build up in the gland sac, leading to a thickening of the secretion and clogging of the duct.  If you have ever noticed your dog with his tail up and dragging his behind across the floor, the anal glands are the probable culprit.

This strangely funny action is an attempt to relieve the discomfort of impacted anal glands and is called “scooting”.  Scooting on a rough or chemical surface can cause damage to the anus and indicates that your pet is having trouble with his anal glands and needs some type of intervention.  

Caring for the anal glands is very important to prevent serious infections and avoid your dog developing an incredibly stinky body odor.

Anal glands should be regularly checked and expressed when necessary in order to empty the build up of secretions from the gland.  This can be done by your vet, your groomer, or by you.  Ask your vet or groomer to show you the proper technique.

The best way to express your pet’s anal glands is to use your fingers or a thumb and forefinger to gently apply pressure on either side of the anal opening on the outside of the glands.  Press inwards and upwards and you should see the fluid being expressed.  I would recommend wearing plastic gloves as the smelly secretions will probably get on your hands. 

A high-fiber diet will help to encourage regular emptying of the anal glands, as healthy bowel movements will express the glands naturally.  In addition to to the high-fiber diet there are herbal products that can be used to aid is the expression of the anal glands and will keep the glands and surrounding tissue healthy.

Some foods take longer to digest in the intestinal tract and a build up of gas can be a result.  In the wild dogs would seek out herbs and grasses that would aid in their digestion.  Our pet dogs, however, don’t always have access to the herbs that would help their digestive systems process food more effectively.

It is important to maintain healthy eating habits for your dog.  This will help in the prevention of a slow digestive system that allows for food to ferment and build intestinal gas, which is the most common cause of dog flatulence.  Like people, some dogs and dog breeds are more prone to intestinal gas than others.  For these dogs there are natural tonics you can give them that will aid in the digestive process and help to prevent the build up of intestinal gas.

Here are some more tips for healthy pet digestion:

• Remove your pet’s food after a while if it is not finished. Periods of fasting throughout the day are very important for effective digestion and detoxification.
• Ensure your pet is eating a balanced, high quality diet with plenty of raw and unprocessed food (preferably organic). Flatulence is often solved by a change in diet.
• If flatulence is a recent problem, consider what changes you may have recently made to your pet’s diet.
• Filtered or bottled water is preferable to chlorinated or fluorinated water.
• Avoid exposure to toxins and chemicals as much as possible including pesticides, herbicides, commercial flea collars, flea powder, insecticides and second-hand cigarette smoke.
• Emotional or physical stress can also have an effect on digestion.
• Food and water bowls should be made of glass, stainless steel or porcelain and kept clean.
• Don’t feed your pet chocolate as even a small amount can be toxic. Avoid foods that are high in sugar.
• Do not feed onions to dogs.
• Cook food in stainless-steel pans, not aluminum or copper pans.
• Regular exercise will help to keep your pet healthy and fit and can have a big influence on healthy digestion.

Here is what I did to get Zeke to poop on command.  It’s a secret that he didn’t want to share with me but I found out anyhow.  Now I’m going to share it with you.

When you take your dog out to do his/her business think of a two or three word “command” that you will whenever you want them to move their bowels.  Something like, “Do your business” or “Do the bit” or “Go Poopie” whatever you wish, only be consistent with the words.  When the dog begins to poop, you begin saying your “command”.  Remember to always say the dog’s name before giving the command.  ”Fido, do your business.”  Repeat this slowly while the dog is going.  Say it over and over, slowly and clearly until he/she finishes.  Then praise them with enthusiasm.  ”Good dog, Fido, good dog!”  After a week or so of doing this the dog will begin to develop a sense of needing to go when he/she hears the words you’ve chosen.  Then, when you take the dog out for his/her walk, and you know that it is the time when they normally would go, begin saying your words to him/her.  ”Fido, do your business.  Do your business.”  You’ll be amazed that if they have anything in them that they can get out, they will actually start looking for that place to poop and then do it.  This will come in very handy when you have to walk them in bad weather, in a hurry, or if you just happen to be somewhere they are not familiar with.  

I thought that if it worked on Zeke I’d try it on the other four dogs in the house.  Of course, I didn’t want to tell them that I knew their secret so I pretended that I was just taking them for a walk.  

They never did find out that I knew their secret.

Does anyone out there have any dog secrets?  Things you found out that helped you with your dog?

Dogs have been shown to boost immunity and decrease the risk of allergies or asthma.  Several studies have shown that children who grow up with a dog either in the home or are exposed to them on a farm are less likely to develop allergies or asthma.  These children are also shown to have overall stronger immunity as compared to children who are not exposed to dogs.  Other studies have shown that dog owners who have stressful jobs (example: stockbrokers) have lower blood pressure in stressful situations than coworkers that do not own dogs.  High levels of stress lead to increased levels of cortisol and norepinephrine that can alter a person’s immune system and predispose them to heart disease.  But dog owners tend to have higher levels of the neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine that have a pleasurable, calming or relaxing effect and lead to decreased blood pressures and heart rates.  Dogs also encourage exercise; dog owners reportedly walk more often and longer than people of similar age than do non-dog owners.  It is also reported that heart attack patients have better recovery rates if they own a dog. 

Dogs can also help in the social arena.  A dog is a good conversation starter and can help break the ice with shy people.  Dogs can help on the dating scene to ease someone out of shyness and open communication barriers.  They are natural conversation pieces because people are interested in the breed, any tricks, special talents, etc.  Dogs are being used more and more in therapeutic settings to decrease stress boost self-esteem and aid handicapped individuals.  Many nursing homes and hospitals allow dog visitation and find it improves interaction between patients and staff members.  They also find that dog presence gets residents involved and help them to relate about their own experiences with dogs.  Dogs can be trained to aid people with hearing deficits or alert elderly to phone calls, door bells, or fire alarms and to assist individuals in wheel chairs. 

A dog can also help teach children responsibility, compassion and empathy.  Nurturing behaviors can also be fostered by caring for a dog.  Many children confide in their dog and consider them a trusted friend.  Dogs encourage laughter; provide a focus of attention and constant source of affection.  They can alleviate depression, booster the immune system, decrease risk of allergies, asthma, and heart attacks.

The dog’s environment should be kept clean and free of parasites, fleas, and ticks. This will certainly help increase the chances of a longer life.

Vision and hearing ultimately become diminished in your aging dog. Try not to startle your dog by changing his environment. (moving furniture, changing the location of his bed, etc.) With diminished hearing you will have to attempt to get your dog’s attention in other ways, such as clapping your hands, or standing in front of him and using hand motions.

Excessive panting in your senior dog may indicate heart disease. If this continues for more than a day this is another reason to get to the vet as soon as possible. As with any dog, diarrhea and vomiting lasting more than a day needs to be checked right away.

And finally, and possibly the worst problems to watch out for in your aging dog are the behavioral changes. Just as when we deal with our elderly family members who have dementia or Alzheimer’s, dealing with a pet with drastic personality changes can be traumatic for both of you. Some symptoms to watch for are: Confusion, lack of attentiveness, disorientation, roaming in circles, barking for no reason, elimination accidents and being withdrawn. Also uncharacteristic aggression may start in old age. Try to keep your old dog’s environment as stable and unchanging as possible as this may help.

The transition of going from active puppy to aging senior dog will not be traumatic as long as you notice the gradual changes. Taking care of them as they happen will minimize their severity, and your dog can be eased into senior status with minor problems. We can enjoy our pets at any age, just as long as our expectations change with their needs.