Why Loose Lead Walking Is So Much Harder In The City (And How To Finally Crack It)

If you’ve ever wondered why everyone on Instagram seems to be casually strolling along with their dog at heel while your city walks feel like you’re waterskiing behind a half-feral beast… you’re not alone. Loose lead walking is hard, and in the city it’s a whole different game.

Here’s the thing: our cities are not designed for dogs. They’re loud, busy, full of unexpected movement and smells that constantly compete for attention. Add in narrow pavements, pigeons, dropped chicken bones, cyclists, children, dogs appearing from every corner… and suddenly the simple cue of “with me” becomes an elite skill.

Why It’s Harder In The City

1. Zero downtime
In a quieter, rural setting, distractions are spaced out. Your dog can recover, re-engage and reset. In the city you barely have time between one stimulus and the next: it’s child with scooter → barking dog in garden → lorry → plastic bag →… You’re asking your dog to stay with you while their brain is being bombarded.

2. Pavements are tight
There’s less literal space. Your dog ends up walking ahead or to the side because there’s simply no room to walk with you. It becomes a habit very quickly.

3. Scents, food and rubbish everywhere
Dogs use their nose to understand the world and in a city they’re getting hit with a new scent every half step. Add in discarded food (hello bin day) and suddenly every walk becomes a scavenger hunt.

4. You’re in a hurry
Urban life is busy and we often walk with a destination mind. Dogs feel that rushing energy and often match it – which usually looks like pulling.

So… How Do You Crack It?

1. Slow. Everything. Down.
Start in the quietest place possible. If that’s the building hallway or the car park, use it. Give your dog a chance to practice the skill with time and space.

2. Break it into micro sessions
You don’t have to train for the whole walk. Pick two or three short “training zones” on your route – work for a minute, then give them a break to sniff and enjoy being a dog. Then re-engage.

3. Reinforce proximity
Reward anytime they check in, even if it’s just a quick look. Don’t wait for a perfect heel – marking the attempt builds the behaviour.

4. Use pattern games
Games like “1-2-3” or “This Way” (turn and reward) can build rhythm and connection, helping your dog feel safe and giving them something to focus on.

5. Don’t give up the sniffing
Sniffing isn’t the enemy. It actually helps reduce pulling because it satisfies their need to explore. Use it as a reward. Loose lead = permission to sniff.

6. Get consistent
The hardest part. Decide what you want loose lead to look like and be consistent. Dogs thrive on clarity, if sometimes pulling gets you to the park faster, they’ll keep trying it.

Loose lead walking isn’t about dominance or “being the alpha”. It’s about creating a line of communication in a very distracting environment. And while the city throws a lot at our dogs, the flip side is it gives you a ton of opportunities to practice.

Start small, celebrate the wins and remember, your dog isn’t being difficult, they’re just trying to navigate the city one scent at a time.