Manual external expression of the anal glands during bath time.
From clarifying shampoos to HV drying, GroomBoard is built for the bath-and-dry workflow working groomers actually use.
Anal glands are two small scent sacs just inside the rectum that some dogs — especially small and medium breeds — struggle to express naturally. When they stay full, dogs scoot, lick, and develop painful impactions. Groomers perform external expression during bath time: a gentle squeeze through the skin to release the fluid, then rinse away. It is a two-minute task, typically $10-15 as an add-on. Internal expression (inside the rectum) is a vet procedure, not a grooming service. Not every dog needs routine expression — many never do. Tracking which dogs benefit, and the interval that works, keeps clients returning on the right rhythm and prevents both discomfort and over-treatment.
What working groomers run into
Allergies, hot spots, and dermatitis are common. Flag sensitivities in the client profile so they show up automatically before every appointment.
Dogs that arrive matted can double the time it takes to bathe and dry properly. Build variable time buffers into the service so your calendar reflects reality.
The wrong shampoo strips natural oils or leaves residue. Document product choices per pet in their profile so every groomer reaches for the same bottle.
Why groomers run this service on GroomBoard
Simple $10-15 add-on that solves a real problem for scooting dogs
Tracking per pet prevents over-expression (which can cause inflammation)
Escalation notes flag dogs needing internal expression at a vet
Add-on checkbox on the booking page captures upsell at booking
Odor signals and discharge consistency recorded for medical context
Step by step
Ask the owner — is the dog scooting, licking, or showing discomfort? Not every dog benefits. Over-expression causes inflammation.
Work on a wet, lathered dog. Position the dog standing. Wear gloves — the fluid has a strong, persistent odor.
Feel for the grape-sized glands at 4 and 8 o'clock positions relative to the anus. Gentle upward and inward pressure releases fluid externally.
Healthy fluid is brown and oily. Chunky, blood-streaked, or pus-like fluid is a red flag — recommend a vet visit and document the observation.
The odor is strong and persistent. Rinse the area and the surrounding coat fully. Move on to the rest of the bath.
Match the service to the coat. These breed guides go deep on the specific workflow for each.
Every 8 weeks · 1/5 difficulty
Every 6 weeks · 2/5 difficulty
Every 6 weeks · 2/5 difficulty
Every 8 weeks · 1/5 difficulty
Every 8 weeks · 2/5 difficulty
GroomBoard powers grooming businesses across the country. These city guides break down the local market.
Only if your dog is scooting, licking excessively, or has a history of impactions. Many dogs express naturally during normal bowel movements and never need help. Do not add this service routinely without a reason — it can cause more problems than it solves.
External expression is a gentle squeeze through the skin during bath time — this is what groomers do. Internal expression is a finger inside the rectum — this is a vet procedure and is reserved for impactions or dogs that do not respond to external expression.
Yes. Routine expression on a dog that does not need it can cause inflammation, muscle weakness around the gland, and increased dependence on manual expression. Only do it when the dog shows symptoms.
Healthy fluid is brown and oily. If your groomer sees chunky, bloody, or pus-like discharge, book a vet visit immediately. It may signal an abscess or infection.
Yes. A proper towel-dry pulls 30-40% of the water out, cutting HV dryer time in half. For double coats, some groomers add a 5-minute kennel pre-dry to stand the coat up before line-drying.
Most working groomers use a tiered pricing structure: base rate for short-coated breeds, a surcharge for double coats (extra drying time), and a further surcharge for long or matted coats. GroomBoard lets you set service variants and add-ons so the price reflects the actual work.
The features working groomers use to keep every service priced right, timed right, and rebooked on rhythm.
Set accurate durations per service so your calendar reflects real time, not guesses.
Automatic reminders keep clients on the right cadence for every service.
Clients self-book the right service with pricing and add-ons visible upfront.
Document product choices, temperament, and photos per pet and per service.
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