Dog Walking in Amsterdam: what to know
Walkers in Amsterdam pick routes away from busy bike lanes and use the nearest park’s off-lead area. Mention how your dog copes with bikes, trams and water.
Where to walk dogs in Amsterdam
- Vondelpark — Amsterdam’s best-known park; follow the signs for where dogs may be off-lead.
- Amsterdamse Bos — A large forest park on the edge of the city with designated off-lead areas.
- Westerpark — Open lawns and paths in the west.
- Flevopark — A quieter park in Oost with space for longer walks.
Weather and seasons in Amsterdam
Amsterdam is mild and maritime: cool, wet and windy winters with occasional frost, and mild summers with a few warm spells. Rain can come any time of year.
Planning around the seasons
Rainy, windy days mean muddy paws and wet coats — keep a towel by the door and ask your walker to dry your dog before leaving.
On the occasional hot summer day, walk early and late and remember that bike paths and pavements heat up in the sun.
Before you book
Walkers can offer extras such as photo updates, a report card, pick-up from home or an extra 30 minutes — you see what each walker offers before booking.
Keep your pet's vaccinations and any local registration up to date and carry the records — providers may ask to see them before the first booking.
Dog Walking in Amsterdam — FAQ
Is dog walking available in Amsterdam?
Yes. OnlyPaw is available worldwide, including Amsterdam. Because it's a marketplace, the dog walkers you can book depend on who has been approved near your address — the app shows who's available before you pay.
How much does dog walking cost in Amsterdam?
Dog walkers in Amsterdam set their own prices, so you see each provider's rate in the app before you book. At checkout OnlyPaw adds a service fee of 10% of the service price, with a minimum of USD 2 and a maximum of USD 20 (or the equivalent in your local currency), shown before you pay. Your payment is held and only released to the provider after the service is completed.
How are providers vetted?
Every provider submits a government ID and a selfie, passes a knowledge test with a 70% pass mark and uploads service-specific documents — home photos for sitting and boarding, driving licence and vehicle registration for pet taxi, certificates for grooming and training — before the OnlyPaw team approves them.
Where can dogs be off-lead in Amsterdam?
Only in designated off-lead areas, such as parts of the Amsterdamse Bos and marked areas in several city parks. Follow the signs; elsewhere dogs stay on a lead.
What if I need to cancel?
Each provider uses one of three cancellation policies. Under the default moderate policy you get a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start, 50% if you cancel at least 2 hours before, and nothing in the last 2 hours. The flexible policy refunds in full up to 2 hours before the start; the strict policy refunds in full from 48 hours and 50% from 24 hours before.
What happens in an emergency?
Every active booking has an SOS button in the app. It alerts the other party and the OnlyPaw team straight away. If your pet needs urgent medical care, contact a vet or emergency clinic first.
