doberman who is always sad looking

Question
I have 2 male dobermans who are 10 months old.  One of the males has always been "sad" looking...ears down and back, low head, sad eyes.  Could this be because his brother is more proud looking and dominant?  The dogs get along well, but the sad one always wants to be petted and and pampered, which we do, but this does not make him more happy.  what could this be from and what can we do to make him happier?
Thanks!

Answer
Hi Melissa,

Thank you for writing to me. This is a very sweet question as you are tuning into your dog's subtlety!

The only concern I really have is that what you are perceiving as "sad" might be a medical disorder.  Therefore, to rule that out, I would speak to your vet about running some blood tests, including for thyroid and other hormonal disorders.

Once any medical condition is ruled out I would give pooch lots of omega 3 and 6 oils as well as a ton of exercise.  This will boost his seratonin and create a sense of well being.

Agility training would go a long way in instilling confidence in your pooch.

Best Regards,
Shelley Davis