How are you training him? Do you give him rewards - pets/praise/treats - when he potties outside?

Also -- when he has to go out, and we try to put leash on, he bites and growls and barks and makes it near impossible to get the leash on without hand injuries Could also use some words of wisdom on how to deal with that.

Have you ever smacked him on the snout or head, or put your hand around his muzzle, or done anything that might have been scary/painful around his head? Often, dogs who do this have learned that a hand coming toward them can mean 'bad things about to happen'. If this is his reason for growling/barking/biting, then you'll need to counter condition him to hands coming toward him, and teach him it means good things and not bad things.

It's also possible that for some reason he's decided that this means "play time" and this is him playing. If that's the case, then the goal would be to teach him calm behavior when the leash comes out.

If you can let us know which scenario you need advice on, we'll be happy to oblige.

 

We do give praise and treats when he potties outside (we'll say a cue when he's about to, and then praise/treat him when he goes)

No, we've never smacked him on the nose or snout (or anywhere), and at other times, he's fine having our hands near him in that area. I do think he thinks it means play time for some reason, but at the same time, he really wants to get outside, and it's almost like he doesn't want the leash on or something.....

 

We do give praise and treats when he potties outside (we'll say a cue when he's about to, and then praise/treat him when he goes)

Great! This will work, and it will also take time.

I do think he thinks it means play time for some reason, but at the same time, he really wants to get outside, and it's almost like he doesn't want the leash on or something.....

It could be that when he sees the leash, he gets excited because it means he's going out! And so he starts exhibiting his excitement in the way most natural to him. Teaching him to be calm will help a lot, I believe, as well as teaching him that biting/mouthing is not acceptable. Here are a couple of stickies to help you out with that.

http://www.dogforum.com/training-behavior-stickies/impulse-control-calmness-168218/

http://www.dogforum.com/training-behavior-stickies/biting-mouthing-nipping-168082/

 

At 3 months, it can be very hard to keep them focused. What I've always done is take them out on a leash only, so they're under control, tell them to go potty and ignore any and all other behavior. Generally if they keep wanting to run around, I stand still and simply wait them out. They will eventually get bored of standing in the same place and go potty. And never EVER mix potty breaks with playtime. Once they're older it's not such a big deal, but when they're young if you do then you're setting yourself up for very long and frustrating potty breaks.

 

Thanks for the advice! My problem with this method is that I can't just ignore him, because he will eat the grass/dirts/sticks on the ground and I don't want to allow that as could be dangerous. I do always have him on leash and do not allow play time, but he finds other naughty ways to entertain himself even when just standing there.....