Well, I haven't been on this board long, but I will say that I already feel confident in saying to you Francis, that you just got a boatload of excellent (and completely free) training information from Connie Sutherland.

The work that Connie has suggested will go a long way toward making your walks with your russell fun and trouble free. I would add (having walked a whole bunch of wee white landsharks (aka Jack Russells) in my time) that outdoors many of them are constantly hunting. They are looking for furry quarry with all their senses. I think that the training that Connie has so kindly shared with you will help you have much more fun on your walks with your terrier if you try it more and type about it less.

In addition to that you could try something I used to do with my terriers: a "fast and furious" on leash game that interested them enough that I could engage them pretty well in a suburban neighborhood environment (cats, squirrels and kids oh my) and teach them to appreciate a loose lead.

I would use a 10 or 15 ft cotton training leash and at random leash lengths (especially just as they were getting near to hitting the end of the lead) I would do random, speedy turns and stops and reversals... all the while giving them nice treats and praise if they kept up with me when I turned and a pulse on the lead and a disappointed "where were you?" if my terrier didn't turn and move with me. I also used balls and toys to change it up so that if they turned with me on a loose lead they got to retrieve the ball and I would play fetch with them or whatever. They seemed to really enter into the spirit of this game and it went a long way toward getting across to them that "winning the game" aka being with me was best accomplished on a loose lead.

However, I never felt that my terriers were completely trained in this regard simply because earthdogs are bred to find and pursue their quarry in complete darkness spiraling through tight airless tunnels. When they finally corner their prey, they hold it baying and snapping fearlessly until the terrier man digs down to them and removes the quarry (this could be hours and I know that some digs have gone on for a day). Then and only then will the wee white beastie leave off.

Sooooo....When they get on a squirrel or cat or a groundhog .... (the list is as long as the number of furbearing critters in your area), all bets are pretty much off.