5 month old german Shepherd

Question
Hello, I have a 5 month old German Shepherd named Fuzzy, He is a very mellow dog and knows how to sit, stay, wait etc. But there is one thing i cant get him to learn and that is to potty on the dirt. He pee pees on the grass in the front yard but when he stays in the backyard is uses the restroom on the cement 90% of the time. The other 10% is when i bring him out at night and he uses the restroom on the dirt. I tried picking him when he uses the restroom to the dirt patch to the dirt, but he just stops completely and wont have to go again until hours later. I have also tried treats and praising him when i see him use the restrrom on the dirt. Yet again Fuzzy still uses the restroom on the cememnt. My parents tried teaching him by having him watch my other dog which is a 6month old siberian husky who uses the restroom on the dirt, but he dosent get it. I would really like to know what i can do to make Fuzzy understand the the dirt is where he should use the restroom. Please and thank you.
Sincerely, Leena and Fuzzy

Answer
You'll need two things. These are a little plastic flag and a big amount of patience. You'll need more of the latter than the former.

Surprisingly, teaching a dog to go where you want is a fairly difficult task unless you start them out from early puppy hood. Fortunately, Fuzzy is still a pup, plus Shepherds are a very clever breed.

Start by planting your flag in the designated bathroom area (the dirt). Take him on the leash to his bathroom area and command "Go Potty". Make sure to take him at times you know he has to go like first thing in the morning or after meals. When he goes, tell him "Good go potty" and give him a treat. Keep taking him to the bathroom on the leash until he associates "Go Potty" with going to the bathroom on the dirt near the flag. After many, many times (this is where the patience comes in) he will associate the designated area as where he goes potty and will be trained.

Good Luck!

Sandy