Source: sanjagrujic/Shutterstock.com Owning a pet is one of the many joys of adulthood. It’s a common joy too. Many studies estimate that millions of Americans own a dog, making it the number one household pet in the country for multiple years in a row. But, owning a pet is a lot like having a child. You have a responsibility to ensure they’re healthy, safe and well cared for. However, dogs can be a handful (much like children!). They like to bark a lot, and sometimes it can be annoying or excessive. Regardless of your dog’s age. Here are some tips to help get your dog to stop barking. Take Them Outside Some dogs like to bark when they’re bored or when they have to go to the bathroom. Suit your dog up in their dog collar and leash set and take them for a walk outside. If you have a fenced-in backyard, you can let them run around there for a bit to get some energy out. This will, hopefully, reduce the amount of barking they do when they go back inside. Train Your Dog in Style with Silicone Pet Accessories If you take your dog for a walk around the neighborhood, hiking trail or another public area, make sure to invest in a silicone pet tag to store all your contact information. Dogs are masters of escape, and they can easily run away or get lost while out with you. This way, if they’re found by someone or turned in to a shelter, you can be easily contacted because your dog’s name, your phone number and your address are available for people to find you. While you’re at it, make sure your dog’s microchipped, as leashes, collars and tags can be removed when your dog’s on the run. It never hurts to be too careful when it comes to the safety of your furry family member! Source: Maya Shustov/Shutterstock.com Train Them to Be Quiet It might take a bit more effort, but training your dog to be quiet can be a helpful tool in getting them to stop barking excessively. Just like with teaching them to “sit” or “stay,” you’ll introduce the command “quiet,” and say it in a firm voice. You can offer them a treat every time they stop barking, as a form of positive reinforcement. Just remember to not give them treats when they bark, and you’ll be well on your way to having a quiet dog in your household! If your dog tends to be tough to train, consider hiring a professional dog trainer. They might know of some other ways you can work with your dog to get them to be more quiet throughout the day. Visit the Vet Sometimes, barking is a sign of something more serious going on. This is especially true for dogs that are older or who have medical conditions. They might be barking to indicate something is wrong with them or they don’t feel good. Your vet can walk you through the different reasons your dog might be barking a lot, or prescribe certain medications your dog can take to help. Some dogs suffer from separation anxiety, especially if you’re home a lot for a long period of time and then suddenly start spending lots of time away throughout the day. Source: Maksym Fresenko/Shutterstock.com Take Them Somewhere New That boredom we just talked about? That extends to your usual dog haunts, such as the dog park or your neighborhood. Take your dog somewhere new to give them something fresh to explore! They’ll love getting to know a new, exciting place. Just make sure you invest in dog safety tech that will help in the event they get loose or run away. Our Tile for pets is made with state-of-the-art, innovative Bluetooth tracking technology that gives you the ability to see your dog’s current location, all within an app. You can even share your dog’s location with friends so they can help you search! It can even attach to a harness instead of a collar if that’s what your dog wears while out for a walk. Many pet owners often wonder about harnesses vs. collars, and we’re here to say that they’re both great options for keeping your dog safe. Harnesses are great for when you’re out walking, as they won’t pull on your dog’s neck; however, a collar is always a great idea to have for when you’re at home. The Bottom Line There are lots of reasons why dogs bark excessively, and there are lots of ways to intervene and stop it! Whether you opt for training or taking them somewhere new, the number one thing you need when getting your dog to stop barking is a little bit of patience and whole lotta love.