To help the millions of dogs living in shelters, mental health experts have recommended the dogs focus on loving themselves first. “You really do have to love yourself before you can expect anyone else to love you” according to multiple mental health experts from BetterHelp. “Shelter dogs should focus on healing their trauma in order to find their furever home.”

“It is our professional recommendation that dogs who have been abandoned in shelters develop strong self-love in order to be able to accept the love of others. Many of the dogs in shelter have avoidant attachment styles.” Avoidant attachment is typically marked by a fear of intimacy and pushing away love. With nearly six million dogs living in shelters across the US alone, experts agree learning self-love may be the single most important trick a dog can do.