As Bo was a gift through a breeder, he was not a shelter dog. Dog expert César Millán stated Bo could be considered part of a larger group known as "rescue dogs". He was unsuccessful in his first home when plans for him to provide companionship to an older female dog went awry; apparently his attempts to suckle irritated her.[1][33] The Obamas pledged a donation to the DC Humane Society in a show of support for shelter dogs.[34]