Someone on this board, can't remember who, said the more you have the anal glands expressed, the more often the dog needs it done. I've had it done only once on Zack, he was about 9 months old. Up to that point, he had occasional scooting. After he had the anal glands expressed, he had way more scooting than before, and it went on for maybe three or four weeks, then it returned to normal, just occasional scooting. My other dogs (non cavaliers) also scooted now and then and i never heard of anal gland expression back in those days. I'm sure it needs to be done in many dogs, but i don't think it needed to be done in Zack, the vet said following the procedure that there wasn't a lot in there. I was sorry i did it, it was the vet's idea, not mine. She asked if he was scooting and i hesitantly said yes, not sure that it was a problem. I always regretted that i didn't say no that time. i do often say no to things vets want to do.
when zack was about 4 months old, he was in the backyard and he suddenly sat down and started scratching his neck and shrieking continuously in pain. He continued to shriek and got up and ran inside, and then sat down and scratched some more, still shrieking, really loud, it was the most awful thing. It's never happened again, thank goodness, but i really feel for anyone who hears and sees their dog do this.