Blog: guides for days out with your dog
Tips, guides and inspiration for days out and adventures with your dog, in Belgium and the Netherlands.
Nature
22 articles
NatureTaking your dog into the North Holland dunes: where is it allowed?
PWN manages the dunes between Castricum and Bergen, and Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. Here's where your dog can run off-leash according to PWN, and where not.
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NatureHow to find your municipality's real, official off-leash area map
Every municipality in Belgium and the Netherlands has its own official designation decision for off-leash dog areas. Here's how to find it, and why an ordinary blog post sometimes gets it wrong.
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NatureWhy does every coastal town have different dog beach rules?
1 April, 15 May, 16 September, 1 October, every coastal town picks its own dates for its dog beach. Here's why there's no national rule, and how to check per town.
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NatureCanicross and bikejoring: sports with your dog
Canicross, bikejoring, scooterjoring and mushing explained: the differences, the gear per sport, the commands, and the best way to get started.
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NatureCycling or running with your dog: from when?
From what age can your dog join you cycling or running? Growth plates by breed size, a five-week build-up schedule, and the rules on heat and surface.
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NatureJogging with your dog: commands and confidence
Step by step, train a dog that stays with you on command, adjusts its pace, and clears a fallen log or ditch without hesitation, using marker training.
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NatureFirst aid kit for your dog: what should be in it?
Sterile gauze, pet-safe disinfectant, a tick remover, an emergency blanket, a muzzle: the complete checklist for a first aid kit that helps your dog on the go.
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NatureWhy is a nature reserve sometimes closed?
Nesting season, drought, management work: why nature reserves are temporarily closed, even to dogs on a leash.
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NatureWalking with an older dog: pace and rest
A senior dog doesn't need to stop walking, just walk differently: shorter and more often, a slower pace, soft ground. Plus the signs to watch for.
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NatureNature reserve or recreation area: the difference
Nature reserve or recreation area, what's the difference, and which should you choose for a walk with your dog?
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NatureSniffing gardens for dogs: how they work and what they cost
Sniffing garden for your dog: what is it, how do prices and sizes differ, and which dogs really benefit?
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NatureDog beaches in Belgium & the Netherlands: where are dogs allowed?
Dog beach or a beach with dogs? The rules per coastal town: which stretch, season and time. From De Panne to Knokke-Heist, plus Zeeland, Holland and the Wadden Islands.
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NatureNever leave a dog in the car: staying safe through summer
Dogs regulate heat differently than we do. Here's how to recognise overheating, keep your dog cool on hot days, and why the car is truly off-limits.
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NatureOff-leash areas and dog parks: can my dog run free here?
Off-leash area or dog park? Where can your dog run free, and where not? Here's how to recognise one and the rules that come with it.
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NatureTicks on your dog: recognising, removing and preventing them
After every walk in the woods, ticks are lurking. Here's how to check your dog, remove a tick correctly and keep them away as much as possible.
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NatureSwimming with your dog: cooling off safely in the water
Not every dog is a born swimmer, and not every body of water is safe. Here's how to let your dog enjoy a refreshing dip, relaxed and safe.
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NatureDogs and livestock: staying safe around pastures and herds
Sheep, cows, horses, you'll encounter them in nature areas. Here's how to walk past them respectfully and safely, for your dog and the animals alike.
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NatureWhy does my dog eat grass? And 7 other questions
Eating grass, licking, digging, twitching paws in their sleep: eight things dogs do, explained briefly, and when it's actually worth worrying about.
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NatureHiking with your dog: High Fens and Ardennes, 8 routes
Eight dog-friendly hiking routes in the High Fens and the Ardennes, from Baraque Michel to the Semois, with distance, parking and leash rules.
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NatureWalking your dog in autumn: 5 things to watch for
Mushrooms, acorns, ticks and early darkness: five things to watch for in autumn, plus why dogs love an autumn forest so much.
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NatureThe daily walk: get more out of it
Same loop every day? With a few small tweaks, the daily walk becomes a real outlet for both your dog's body and mind.
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NatureWalking your dog in winter: cold, road salt and paws
Your dog wants to go outside in the cold months too. Here's how to keep him warm, protect his paws from road salt and ice, and stay safely visible.
Read more →Stays
9 articles
StaysTravel documents for your dog: passport, chip and vaccination by country
Chip, rabies vaccination and the EU pet passport sorted for Belgium and the Netherlands, plus the rules for other countries.
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StaysLeaving your dog alone in a hotel room: is it allowed?
Can you leave your dog alone in a hotel room? Often yes, if the hotel allows it, here's how to build up to it calmly, and the stress signals to watch for.
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StaysHoliday home with your dog: what to look out for
Holiday home with your dog: "pets on request" is not a yes. Here's how to read a listing: fencing, deposit, breed and weight restrictions, and hidden costs.
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StaysB&B or hotel with your dog: the difference
A B&B is more personal and flexible, a hotel offers more fixed amenities and stricter house rules. Here's how to choose, and what to ask in advance.
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StaysCamping with your dog: choosing a dog-friendly campsite, regions and costs
Camping with your dog: regular campsite, motorhome pitch, or nature campsite? What to ask before booking, and what a dog typically costs extra.
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StaysMountain hiking with your dog: building up and staying safe
From the Ardennes to real mountains: how to build up your dog's fitness, and what to watch for with altitude, heat and steep paths.
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StaysDog-friendly hotel, B&B or holiday home: how to choose
Dog-friendly hotel, B&B or holiday home? What each option gives you, what a dog typically costs extra, and how to spot a genuinely dog-friendly stay.
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StaysTravelling with your dog: car, train and crossing the border
Safe travels with your four-legged friend, from a properly secured car ride to the paperwork you need to cross the border.
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StaysCity trip with your dog: exploring the city
A day out or a city weekend doesn't have to mean leaving your dog behind. Handle crowds, terraces and cobblestones together, stress-free.
Read more →Dining
5 articles
DiningTerrace or indoors with your dog: how does it work?
Why is your dog sometimes welcome on the terrace but not indoors? The official FAVV and NVWA rules explained, plus what an operator may decide on top of that.
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DiningBrasserie with your dog: what can you expect?
A brasserie sits between a café and a restaurant, what does that mean for indoor and terrace access?
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DiningDog-friendly cafés: coffee with your dog
How do you recognise a truly dog-friendly café, and why is it sometimes terrace-only?
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DiningRestaurant with your dog: can your dog come inside?
Restaurant with your dog: the terrace is often fine, but can your dog eat inside too? Here's how to find out, and how to make it pleasant for everyone.
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DiningDog-friendly terrace: how to spot a good address
A water bowl, shade and a warm welcome, here's how to spot a terrace where your dog is genuinely welcome.
Read more →Services
20 articles
ServicesWhat is a puppy mill and how do you recognise one?
A puppy mill runs on profit, not welfare. Here's how to spot the signs (before you visit, and during a visit itself) and what to do if unsure.
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ServicesRecognising an accredited dog school: certifications explained
Dog trainer isn't a protected title. Here's how to recognise an accredited dog school and what certifications to look for.
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ServicesDog behavioural therapy: what is it and when do you need it?
Fear, aggression or compulsive behaviour in your dog? Dog behavioural therapy isn't training but a therapeutic process. Explanation, warning signs and cost.
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ServicesChoosing a puppy course: costs and what to look for
What does a puppy course cost in the Netherlands and Belgium, and how do you find a good puppy course near you? Practical criteria plus a price overview.
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ServicesPuppy training: the first months with your pup
What does puppy training actually involve, and when should you start? A practical overview of the first months, from socialisation to the first commands.
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ServicesDog body language: recognising stress signals
Yawning without being tired, lip licking, looking away, freezing: here's how to read your dog's early stress signals, before he has to growl.
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ServicesAdding a second dog: how do you approach it?
Neutral ground, both dogs on a leash, building up step by step: here's how to introduce a second dog to your current dog without unnecessary tension.
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ServicesMicrochipping and registration: is it mandatory for your dog?
Is chipping and registering your dog mandatory in Belgium and the Netherlands? How it works, via DogID and the regulations in both countries.
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ServicesPet shop or order online for your dog?
Head to the store for advice, fit and a new puppy; online works well for your regular kibble and grooming supplies. Here's how to split it up.
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ServicesChoosing dog daycare: what to look for
Group composition, outdoor space, supervision and a mandatory trial day: here's what to look for at a dog daycare, and exactly what to ask.
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ServicesChoosing a dog training school near you: group, private or puppy
Group class, private lesson or puppy course, find a dog training school near you that fits, with certifications to look for.
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ServicesVet or veterinary clinic: what should you look for?
Vet or veterinary clinic: emergency accessibility, stress-free handling and clear communication matter more than price. Here's how to find the right one.
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ServicesAgility with your dog: how to get started
What agility actually involves, whether it suits your dog, and how to get started, with or without equipment.
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ServicesAdopting a dog: what to know about dog shelters and rescues
Adopting a dog? Not every dog has to come from a breeder. What to look for at a dog shelter or rescue, and why caution is needed with dogs from abroad.
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ServicesChoosing a dog-walking service: what to look for
Days away from home too long? A good dog-walking service gives your dog exercise and company. Here's how to find a reliable dog walker.
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ServicesChildren and dogs: building a safe friendship
A dog and a child can become the best of friends, with the right guidance. Here's how to lay the foundation for safe, respectful time together.
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ServicesDog grooming salons: how to choose and how often
How do you recognise a good, calm dog grooming salon, and how often does your dog need a grooming session? A practical guide by coat type.
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ServicesPuppy at home: the first weeks, training and socialisation
The first weeks with your puppy lay the foundation for the rest of its life. Here's how to help it settle in calmly.
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ServicesHelping an insecure or anxious dog
Scared of thunderstorms, crowds or strangers? Here's how to recognise stress in your dog and help build its confidence with patience and the right approach.
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ServicesBuying a puppy: how do you spot a reliable dog breeder?
Buying a puppy? What to check for regarding health, socialisation and paperwork before you decide, and the warning signs of a backyard breeder.
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