Jack Russel and Barking

Question
Hello :D
We have had a Jack Russel Terrier for about a year now. He is wonderful for our family, and great with our kids. I have little experience with dogs, but my husband was raised in a home where his mother bred JRT's. So he is familiar with the breed, and dogs in general. However when we brought cooper home, he really became attached to me. It's so funny, if he does listen to anyone it's to me. SO I'm sort of needing to get some expert advice on some of his behavior, and how to help improve it. We adopted cooper at a rescue shelter, and we are pretty sure that his owners sometime in the past were abusive, because whenever we scold him, he cowers as though we are going to hit him. We don't hit him, when he is in trouble, he goes out in the garage. When he gets caught getting in the garbage, or drinking out of the toilet, I'll say 'coooper!' and he'll cower, and pee all over. I would love advice on how to handle this behavior differently, to help him change. He also has a habit of barking at strangers, or when the doorbell rings. We have a big bay window upstairs, that he would love to sit and wait for people to come walk by, and he would jump at the window and bark. We've installed plantation wood shutters, to block his view, but he will still bark when the doorbell rings. He will jump at someone who comes in, but he doesn't bite or anything like that. ANy advice on the barking would be wonderful as well. Thank you so much!
- Cindy

Answer
Hi Cindy,
You got a problem dog that is why he was in a shelter much to my dismay.  Most are and I thank you for taking him home to love and train in a POSITIVE manner.
First of all, since your the  BOSS and  LEADER he looks up to I direct this all to you only.  He trusts u fully and respects u also, so you must take on the responsibility of using POSITIVE methods of teaching him right from wrong.
Now, put all toilet seats down, that is a huge pet peve of mine in my home, I cannot stand a toilet seat left up it just looks unsanitary to me so I actually put a sign up for visitors to put the lid down.
So That is solved with you doing this as a household right thing to do.?  He has definately been hit, kicked abused badly and such a pity I would love to catch somebody doing anything like to to any breed of dog and I would most likely let my  Taekwondo kick in at yes July  29 I will be 67 years old, but my temper with dogs kicks in easily.
He pees because he fears what is next a kick in the ass or side or head?  Feed him 3 feeds a day of what he should be getting of top brand such as Nutro Max, Flint River, Innova, One, Pro Plan etc.  IF he is getting enough to eat he will not rout the garbage, mine do not and I have a ton or pack, I can leave a sandwich sit and they do not touch it for they are fed morning and at 5 p.m .
The barking can be stopped with a bark collar bought at www.drsfostersmith.com and it works in minutes to teach this is a NO NO.!
I think he needs alot of walks, runs in fields with a tennis ball thrown, parks to socialize him /her and to just get the dog out and exercise for your husband should know the demand on exercise from this breed for being a pet or they tear your home apart.
He is barking for attention, get a neighbor to come calling with a treat u gave him/her to give, keep the dog in a SIT COMMAND and when he rings the bell come in sire, stoop to the dogs level always and scratch his chest, and when good hand the treat and reward with pet and praise and love.
That will become more of a demand of love than even the treat.  Dogs love to be treated with love than treats, if trained properly, this will  work if u work on it with people or family members to help u out.  Let me know please


Kind Regards
Patt
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