Running on the hose: you need a LOT of water pressure to push water up to the impeller.
Then when the pumps primed it works better.
Like Tassie 1 suggested a big DEEP bucket.
Bucket: it has to be deep enough to submerge the drive 3-4" over the cavitation plate.
Pump: it's NOT a self priming pump, needs pressure from the hose to push water to it,
or be deep enough in the bucket so the impeller is under water.
Once it's primed it should be easier.
It will loose prime after a while.
A friend got a 55gal.plastic drum. Cut it down and it works great.