I'm watching my friend's Jack-Russel Terrier...
 

Her name is Roxy. For some reason she keeps rubbing her behind on all of our furniture; specifically our couches. While she does it, sometimes she'll make these sounds...can't really explain the sounds, haha. I'm just wondering; is there possibly something wrong with her behind that's making her itch? Or is she just in heat and trying to pleasure herself? I just want to make sure that I don't have to take her to a vet for anything.

Sounds like she needs her Anal glands expressed. She will keep doing that until you take her to the vet to have it done. It is a quick and cheap experience for you, and she will be much more comfortable.

It's also pretty easy to do yourself....even though it's a little disgusting.

Around the anus (lift up the dogs tail and you will see it's brown spider) at approximately eight and four of the perimeter are two glands that secrete a stinky oily hormone. This is how dogs identify themselves. These glands are usually expressed naturally when crapping, and sometimes if they aren't they 'scoot'. Anyway with one hand holding the dogs tail up, take the index and thumb of the other hand and massage these glands from the outside in towards the anus...and you will get a discharge of this stinky oily hormone. If it's red or bloody in nature, the glands are infected, and the dog needs antibiotics. If it's a clear to somewhat lightly cloudy (no blood though) then your good to go...just squeeze as much out as you can then give the little fella a bath...washing his bum very well. It's a good idea to use latex gloves because this hormone can stick around, like garlic, on your fingers.

You learn these things when the pooch gets chronic backup and you're sick of spending 25-30 bucks every other week to have his ass emptied and cleaned.

It is also possible, and frankly more likely, that this Jack Russel Terrier (now officially called a Parson Russell Terrier by the AKC) that he's just marking his new territory, which is perfectly normal, and his anal glands are healthy as a fiddle.

-bear

To back up Bear, you *really* don't want anal gland secretions on your upholstery or carpeting. If you smell a very strong unpleasant odor, do as Bear suggested. These secretions are as difficult to remove as skunk spray.

If there isn't a nasty odor, the pup might need more diversion and play time. The J.R.'s are very busy little guys.

Or I can print this thread out and wait until Monday when my friend comes back and then SHE can fiddle with her dog's bum. :-p

Thank you all for your input! This lead me to thinking; maybe we should have a Tilted Pets forum? It seems many people here have a good knowledge base when it comes to pets.

Actually, you can also go to a dog groomer. I have toy poodles and they do this as part of the grooming process when needed but also only charge about $5-10 for just the gland thing.

Both are excellent ideas, especially the first. :lol: