So DH and I were a little worried when we realized Tesla hadn't pooped the whole time we had her. She wasn't eating a whole lot, but still. I took her to the in laws last night to let her run free in the backyard, and like a good little doggy she did her business! I was glad she did, but MIL brought up a good point: Tesla might be potty shy.

Her leash is a slip leash/collar so we can get her used to being on a leash as well as- we haven't found a retractable leash that won't cost us $20. So when we take her out to do her business, we're never more than three feet away from her.

Anyone else have this problem? Does it make any sense or am I already overanalyzing?

My dogs will hardly ever go number 2 on a leash.  We have a fenced backyard so it doesn't really matter for us.

Some dogs need to move around alot before they will go - my lab mix has to walk and walk and walk before he can get things moving lol.  He was raised in an apartment so he had no choice but to go on leash - I just learned that we would be out 20 or 30 minutes before he would go.  I got him at 4 months and he's 9 1/2 now - we have a yard so its easier, but he "still takes his sweet time" =)

Murphy was like that in the beginning, he wouldn't poop or pee in new places?!?! Now he will go anywhere lol
Longer walks might help, since she went at your in laws after running around.

She did that again last night. she won't go on the leash, but let her out into a friend's yard and she's pooping all over. I also noticed she lifts her legs to pee and poop. My dog's gender confused.

I just have cats, so I'm no help with the issue, but I did buy a retractable leash for my cat at Ross. Y'know, intended for dogs of course. ;) Not sure if you have those, but I've also seen them at Marshalls and they were only like six or seven dollars.

It does sound like its a security thing for her since she'll go in a yard, but not on a leash - she must not be feeling comfortable "out in the open".

My sister has had two female dogs that lifted one back leg or the other - it seemed more like they just didn't want to put their feet down (usually when the ground was wet).

I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I read "my dog's gender confused"! lol

Our dog can be potty shy too..he doesn't like being watched..he also prefers to run back and forth like a mad man before he poops (it's hilarious to watch).

I think with time she'll get used to pooping on a leash.

Also - try buying a leash on eBay. The flexi brand of leashes are fantastic: http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Small-Flexi-Classic-Long-Retractable-Cord-Dog-Leash-/220816324061?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3369adb5dd

The retractable leash has been pretty good for her! So is taking her out on long walks to tire her out. By the time she's ready to get it done she just pops a squat and glares at me.

It's such a fine line between giving her the freedom to do what she needs to do while not letting her think she's the alpha creature in the house. (I've been reading too much Cesar Millan)

sounds like she's not trained to go on the leash or was trained to go in areas that aren't out in the open. One of my dogs can be very picky about where she goes and will hide behind a bush to poop it's actually kind of funny to watch her back up over a lo lying bush to support herself since she's missing a back leg.