Golden not pooping completely...

My Golden (8yrs) just had her first ever anal expression done at the vet. They said they were very full. Is this common for larger dogs? Also, I believe she got this way because she never completely poops. I can tell that she cuts it off after a few pieces come out. WOW this sounds horrible. Her stool isn't abnormal either. Can anyone help me out? You know I'm gonna ask for another tid bit of info. She is a poop eater, big time! I had to buy her deter chewables when she was a pup, and she quit. But now it doesn't matter who's it is, she going for it. Right in front of me too even if I've already told her to stop. The vet says she's perfectly heathly and she's probably just being defiant. HELP!

For the anal glands, this usually happens when it is too soft and doesn't empty them properly. In your case it may be that it it too small and doesn't express them. Some dogs just have problems with them but you should have seen this before now.
Unfortunately with eating it you are going to have to watch her more carefully or set her up a couple of times by placing something on it that tastes awful to her. She will begin to think that they all taste this way and may stop the behaviour.

I would recommend initially extending her walks, she may feel like she's being rushed and is not going fully because of that. My two dogs were like that, and still can be when we don't go for full long walks, which I try to make sure doesn't happen that often. I'm not certain that eating poop and not going poop are related, though gross I know, there are trainers that post on the boards and their advise is invaluable when it comes to training related matters like her doing that in front of you. For larger dogs, exercise is key and a great place to start for getting her to eliminate fully.

I didn't think of the exercise bit, I'm just going to have to get her out there more often. Since it's not summer, we don't get out as much. As far as her glands, this is brand new for her. I think after what I've read, that walking her will probably help me in that department too. What I don't understand...why is she leaking anal fluid? I'm calling the vet tomorrow to see what I can find out.
Thanks for the support!

Even if you just lengthen the ones you do have her scheduled on, it can make a world of difference :) My shepherd/chow mix expresses her anal glands occasionally, in fact did so last night around 2am (woke me out of a dead sleep entirely), but when I asked the vet she said occasionally was normal, all the time is not. Just try taking her 1.5 x your normal walking distance each time, I find that it cleans my 2 right out and expression is not as often :)