on obedience class is the way to go. he will be a large dog...so you will need to be able to control him. a harness is not a good thing to use. most dogs just pull harder with one..also they can back out of them. you are far better using what is called a "martingale" collar..lupine sells them on line or in some stores. they are guarrenteed for life. they are somewhat similar to a choke collar. they were designed to be used by greyhounds & other sight hounds..& are difficult to slip out of...they are NOT prong collars which 98% of people do not use properly.

don't communicate by smell. that is how your puppy figures out what is going on in his world. when a dog marks he leaves behind a scent. others come behind, sniff & mark.

yes walling can sometimes be time consuming especially with males. & male puppies. leaves...are just amazing...so much fun to watch & chase.

part of the issue is that you are not the alpha yet. i can read that in your post. if you have confidence then he will follow you...but it is not there yet. he follows weakly behind you unsure because you are unsure. he isn't ready to follow you as a matched set because he isn't sure you will keep him safe like an alpha pack leader should.

a class will give you both the skills you need.

use a short lead like lynn said, go to class, walk lots so he gets used to it & as he matures & you gain confidence so will he.

stumpy