🌬️ Take a Breath (TAB): Vet-Endorsed Relaxation Training for Dogs in 2025 🐶

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc

Teaching your dog to breathe deeply might sound unusual, but it’s an incredibly effective tool to help dogs settle, reduce stress, and even stop barking. “Take a Breath” (TAB), from the Control Unleashed® program, is a calm, low-pressure game that helps your dog regulate emotions and manage tough environments. In this 2025 guide, learn how to use TAB to create a calmer, more connected pup. 🧘‍♂️🐾

🧠 Why TAB Works

Dogs show stress in many ways—barking, jumping, pacing. TAB gives them a new, positive behavior to offer: deep breathing. It taps into their natural calming systems, helping them slow down and shift from arousal to focus. Benefits include:

• 🌬️ Regulated breathing and lowered heart rate
• 🔇 Reduction in barking without suppression
• 🧠 Increased emotional resilience and impulse control
• 🎯 Engagement in high-distraction environments

📘 Where TAB Comes From

TAB was adapted by Leslie McDevitt from Dr. Karen Overall’s biofeedback work. It’s part of the Control Unleashed® training system and is rooted in science and animal behavior wellness. 📚🧬

📍 Getting Started: Two TAB Teaching Methods

Start in a quiet, familiar space. Have high-value treats ready, and observe your dog closely—nostril flares, puffed cheeks, or chest movement all count as signs of breath. Let your dog opt in to the session. 🛋️

🐾 Method 1: Air Scenting

1. 🧺 Set up a mat and reward your dog for lying down
2. 🪑 Sit beside them with treats hidden
3. 🍖 Take out one treat and hold it slightly away from your dog’s face
4. 👃 When your dog sniffs, slowly deliver the treat as a reward

😮‍💨 Method 2: Modeling

1. Follow steps 1–3 above
2. 🌬️ Hold a treat to your own nose and inhale deeply
3. 👀 Watch your dog’s response—when they sniff or breathe in, reward them

Either method works well—choose based on what your dog responds to best. 😊

🌳 Phase 2: Add Mild Distractions

Once your dog understands the behavior, build up their focus by training in slightly more distracting environments:

• 🪟 Move training to a patio, yard, or front porch
• 👥 Gradually add background distractions (e.g., people walking at a distance)
• 🔄 Keep sessions short—just a few minutes at a time
• 🎯 Focus on quality breathing, not perfection

This phase helps transfer the skill to real-world situations. 💪

💡 When to Use TAB

TAB can be used proactively to avoid escalation and build emotional regulation. It’s ideal for:

• 🔇 Barking dogs (as an alternative to “quiet” cues)
• 🚗 Nervous car rides
• 🧘 Vet waiting rooms
• 🏠 Guests arriving at home
• 🎯 Before or after leash walks in high-traffic areas

🧠 Reading the Signs

Look for:

• 👃 Soft nostril flares
• 🐶 Cheek puffing or chest movement
• 💤 Relaxed body and posture

Mark (say “yes” or click) as the breath begins and deliver the treat slowly. ⏱️

🚫 What TAB Is NOT

• ❌ Not a “shut up” cue—it’s not about stopping barking
• ❌ Not force-based—don’t push treats in your dog’s face
• ✅ It’s a choice-based reinforcement system

TAB teaches calmness from the inside out. 🎯🧘

📝 Final Thoughts from Dr Duncan Houston

Teaching your dog to breathe deeply on cue isn’t just a trick—it’s a wellness tool. TAB empowers your dog to regulate their emotions, remain calm in stimulating environments, and offer quiet behavior naturally. Whether you’re managing barking, anxiety, or simple overexcitement, this gentle, mindful approach pays off. 🌬️🐶

Need help using TAB or combining it with other Control Unleashed® games? Visit AskAVet.com or download the Ask A Vet app 📱 to connect with behavior-savvy veterinary professionals. We’re here to help you build a calmer, more connected life with your dog. 🐾💛