My dog poops just fine in our yard, but will absolutely refuse to poop on a leash. This makes it difficult for my sister who watches her while we're out of town. Any thoughts on why?
If he's used to only going off leash in your yard, he may be really hesitant to go on leash anywhere else. It may help him make the association with going on leash if you start taking him out into the yard on leash, so he's in a familiar place but with the leash. If he gets used to pooping with the leash in a familiar spot, he may be more inclined to make the leap from that to pooping on leash somewhere else. Although if you don't want him expanding his view of where it's alright to poop so generally, it would be worth teaching a cue for it by using the cue every time he poops in the yard and treating, and once he's associated the cue with the action, starting to use it elsewhere to tell him what you want him to do.
I had a client with a similar problem where her dog would never go potty at all while on the leash and I found she was using a standard 6 foot leash. Try using a retractable leash or a 30 foot dog leash. I had a retractable on hand and that did the job and the dog went potty no problem.
I would start taking him for walks on the leash more than letting him out on the yard. I know it's easier to just let him go in the backyard, but so your sister won't have issues when she is with him, I think you should transition to taking him on walks. Here is the thing, dogs are creature of habit, he might not go the first time, so increase the amount of time you are walking him. Perhaps 20 minutes instead of 15 minutes, so in essence you are training him to go on a leash. When dogs have to go, they will go, trust me on this and most importantly relax when you are walking him and don't let him see you anxious about you wanting him to poop. Take treats with you on your walk, and as soon as he poops on a leash praise him like never before and give him treats. It's going to take some persistence. I know it's easier to let him out in the backyard and let him to his business but sometimes we have to think about when they stay with others.
Try a long leash for your dog. It happened many times with some dogs. They need some privacy and we must respect their privacy also. Use a long leash and it will help. http://dogward.com (Dogward.com)
My dog refuses to go in front of people. I have walked her for 5 miles before hoping to get everything moving so I could train her to go in one area. She will hold it until we get home then wait patiently by the back door to be let out. I've had this dog for about a year and a half now and have only seen her go twice and that was only because she had no other choice. Some dogs just like their privacy.
It may be funny to learn this, but your dog is an individual too ! and he is asking you very loudly for privacy! funny huh? a dog needing privacy!i suggest getting a longer leash if fencing yard isnt an option
i suggest getting a longer leash if fencing yard isnt an option.
I agree on a longer leash. Most animals have get right with the earth before they will poop. That's why we see them circling in an area before the poop. So give him some room to do his business. And yes,some dogs need privacy.