[Maximo]

I agree with Vicki -- avoid manual expressing glands if possible. My understanding is once you start, the dog will not do it naturally or cannot do it naturally.

Various things can cause full glands or impaction and abscess, including incorrect manual expression. If poops are too small or not firm enough. With my boys, they need daily outdoor activity to do it. They don't express their glands when they poop indoors on the pad.

Here is a YT poll with more info and opinions that you may find interesting: oops! wrong link . . . one second