German Shepard Potty training Leash help
You didn't say how old your pup is, but it seems you have some undoing to do. It's important that your pup ALWAYS come when called but it sounds like he has already learned that he doesn't have to. (after the potty is conquered this is your next task) I would suggest that you incorporate always going out on a leash first (whether it is play or potty) - every trip out the door starts on leash - and waiting till potty is over to play. I agree with the above note to wait until about 20 - 30 minutes after food (don't take your eyes off him) then get some activity like a quick jog on the leash while encouraging him to go. After a little burst of activity, if he is disinterested in potty (and only want to play or sniff) you may need to simply stop (ideally where you want him to go) and stand still, just letting him walk in circles around you while you encourage him to potty - be consistent with your command and don't get into the play mode until he goes. So 2 things here - make sure he will need to go (he has just eaten and has about 30 minutes) and be consistent that no play happens until he goes. Good luck!
Our trainer recommended to put ours on a 20 ft lead so they still felt like they could roam- when you call them and if they don't come you walk on the lead so they feel like the environment is holding them down not you. When you call and they don't come the ground keeps them from roaming not you.
Hi there! This is a common problem when pups are used to not being leashed. I would say, be sure you are giving him enough time outside. After he eats, time it to take him out about 30 minutes after. If they are used to having a doggie door at home or not going potty in a leash it can be more difficult. Plan ahead and stay consistent. I would not take him off the leash as this can cause you to lose him. Losing him and him getting his by a car etc. will be a bigger problem then going potty in the house!
Let us know how things go!
Use high value treats to lure him and put the leash on and take it off as practice. When he gets comfortable take him out and see if he will do his business outside or not.
A quick trick to use (and I've used this trick with all three of my family dogs that we raised from 10 week old puppies) is to take a piece of their poop, pick a designated spot outdoors, and rub it in that spot. Always return your pup to that spot and give him/her treats and a ton of praise when your pup finally goes outside.
You have to be consistent and not give up though. Once your pup has it down, all the effort will be worth it.
If he has had a bad experience with going outside, then he won't want to go back out again. Use lots of treats and praise when you put his leash on, lots of praise and playing when you get him outside, and then you wait.. and wait, and wait, and wait. You literally cannot bring him inside until he goes. If it's been an hour (which has actually happened to me before) then take him back in and put him immediately into his crate. You might even want to keep his crate right by the door, so he doesn't get a chance to pee on the doormat. Wait about 30 minutes and then take him back outside. He will eventually realize that this is his one chance to go, or he will have to be stuck in his crate holding it or pee on himself, which is a miserable experience. After about a week of that, he'll start going to the bathroom when you take him out to go.
When my dog was a pup, she knew she was going into her crate after, but she also knew I would stand there and wait until she did her business, so she started seeing just how long she could run around before I'd call it and take her in. I would stand out there while she sniffed around for ages, but as soon as I called her and told her it was time to go in, she would "magically" find the perfect spot and use the bathroom right before we went in.
The problem here is definitely the leash. Your pup simply does not feel comfortable with the leash. If you give him time to get used to being on the leash, he'll start to go potty while on the leas as well.
I'd also recommend you to pick a phrase to induce him to go potty. Pick a phrase, something like "go potty" and use it every time your dog does the duty. That way you'll soon be able to tell him when to go potty.
To get the leash on your pup crouch down to his level normally it will entice the puppy to come towards you. With my puppy he didnt want to go outside either. I used a leash and stood in one spot. They do get bored eventually and will use the bathroom then praised accordingly!