Don't know if it's a problem with his anal gland but for the last few days he seems in pain and doesn't want to hunch over when pooing. He does it while standing but it's obvious he's in pain just by the look he gives me with his ears down and his tail between his legs. But it might also be due to the fact he was hit by a car a month ago - he was fine but his tail was hurt and instead of it being curled over his back (he's a terrier) he held it low for a few weeks. He seemed to recover but now he's holding it low again. So I don't know if he hurt it again or if it's a problem with his anal gland or another problem. Otherwise he's fine - big appetite, lots of energy. Just about to worm him now so maybe that will help. Any thoughts?

you need to take the dog to the vet. My male dog need his anal glands emptied. He ended up having surgery poor lad

Sounds like glands to me, not usually a big problem.

Also , add some All Bran to every meal ... the dog's not yours

All Bran is amazing for when your dog has anal gland trouble.

Also works for constipation AND the "runs" !!!

THis actually works for humans as well !!

I thought dogs slide their bottoms along the ground when their anal gland is blocked... or is that some other problem?

Also a sign of worms , I think .

Did he get vet attention when he was hit by the car?

Could be anal glands, swimmer tail, nerve damage, constipation, hairline fracture from the RTC. Too many possibilities all of which (except constipation) require vet intervention (well, you can deal with anal glands yourself but I don't fancy it!!)

If constipation, add some olive oil to food and a slice or pear, segment of orange or a fresh fig works wonders. But get the other possibilities excluded by a vet first.

Could simply be a lasting problem regarding the damaged tail ... our setter hurt her tail a few months ago and it took a couple of weeks before it was back to normal - your dog's tail was probably hurt more seriously than ours so it may take a while to get better.

I agree with Stressmonkey.
Additionally it might not have just been his tail that was hurt.
Anywhere along his spine or pelvis could cause him to hold his tail low, or general pain e;sewhere and depression (and pain will obviously often cause depression) can cause him to hold his tail lower as part of subdued, despondent body language.
Did the vet check and confirm the extent of his injuries at the time of the RTA?
Even painful, strained or pulled muscles might make it uncomfortable to squat and push normally as elimination, particularly if also constipated, can require a fair degree of exertion from abdominal and back muscles.

Keeps them regular does it??

I brought him to the vet on Friday and had his glands seen to but he's still in pain so it must be due to damage to his back when he got hit by the car. When the vet examine him he did say that there seems to be a bend in his back bone at the base of his tail. There's really nothing that can be done apart from major surgery that could kill him so basically he's going to have to live with it.

Hopefully as time goes by he will start to heal so here's hoping.

I hope it dos start to heal soon for the poor little thing, but have you considered an holistic vet? Some offer acupuncture or even chiropractic treatments to help with this sort of thing. It is not as wacky as it sounds and could really save the poor little thing.