It seems that wherever we walk these days you can always hear a dog barking.
It is the number one problem that the neighbors complain about.
Hopefully it isn't your Jack Russell barking, but if it is then this article will show you how to stop this persistent problem.
It can be very, very frustrating trying to find the correct solution without resorting to giving the dog away, which I am sure you do not want to do! Barking is, of course, quite a natural activity for your dog, and can be very beneficial to yourself.
For example when your dog barks if someone comes to the door.
This is an excellent security measure, but in my case, my Jack Russell does not know when to stop.
The first thing to discover is the root cause of your Jack Russell barking There are different types of barking and very different root causes for that barking.
Here are some of the most common situations.

• Warning - As I mentioned before a dog will and should bark as a warning to you that something has changed, usually that a person has come to the door.
  This provides you will excellent security, especially if you live on you own, but the dog must know when to stop barking
• Startled - this can be linked to a warning and occurs when your dog has been startled by something.
  The dog have a nervous disposition and in this case will bark at anything that moves
• Attention Seeking - What has caused your dog to need to seek attention is something that you must get to the bottom of, but in the meantime try to ignore the dog when he/she is barking as a means of getting attention.
  
• Anxiety - The most common situation here is when your dog knows that you are about to leave them alone in the house.
  Usually your dog will continue to bark after you have left the house and then becomes a nightmare for the neighbors.
  Fixing this form of barking is a long process but one that must be tackled with patience.
  
• Boredom - Interestingly this is the most common reason for barking and can be easily solved with some extra exercise or playing a few games of ball in the garden.
  Dogs, like children, do need to be entertained, to feel as if they are part of the family.
  
• Playfulness - A lot of dogs will bark just to be playful and to show their excitement.
  This is quite normal
• Communicating - Last but by no means least dogs will bark to let other dogs in the neighborhood know they are there.
  This again is quite normal but you must not allow it to get out of hand.
  

How to Stop your Jack Russell Barking The first thing you need to establish is basic control of your dog.
You have to establish yourself as the Alpha Leader so that they know who is boss and do not try to find ways to test your leadership.
This requires that you are consistent with your commands in all situations.
What you should NOT do is to use the 'NO' word or to yell at your dog.
This will definitely make the situation worse.
You will find that your dog does not understand and then barks in frustration.
He may even think that your yelling is a form of barking and start to bark as well, but louder than you!.
It goes without saying that you should only reward good behavior and not bad behavior.
Strangely this is easier said than done.
If you ask your dog to 'stop' when he is barking, reward them with a treat when they stop.
They will soon get the connection between 'stop' and the treat.
You can distract your dog when he is barking by training him to come, lie down and stay.
They will be so focused on completing these tasks that more often than not they will stop barking.
Don't forget to reward them.
Remember you are rewarding them for performing the tasks and not for stopping barking - even if that was your intention.
Boredom is a very big reason for them to bark, so increase the exercise that they get.
Maybe take them on two shorter walks rather than one long one.
Allow your dog to have plenty of time to sniff all the lovely smells.
After all it is their way of knowing what has been happening in the neighborhood.
Lastly - and very importantly - NEVER give your dog loving attention when he is barking.
This will only reinforce the idea that barking equals hugs.