Dog walking in Amsterdam: leash rules, off-leash areas and clean-up

The City of Amsterdam requires owners and walkers to collect dog waste. You should therefore carry bags on every walk and dispose of them in an appropriate bin.

Dogs are generally on-lead unless a location is marked as an off-leash area. A familiar green space is not automatically an off-leash area, and a quiet time of day does not remove the leash requirement.

• Carry waste bags before leaving home.
• Keep the dog on a lead unless the area is officially designated otherwise.
• Follow local signs and temporary restrictions.

The municipality states that dogs are not permitted in children's playgrounds, play areas and sandboxes. Other sensitive locations may also have local restrictions shown on signs.

If you use a professional walker, include these boundaries in the handover. Clear route expectations protect the dog, the walker and other park users.

Permission to walk off lead does not mean every dog is ready for it. Recall, traffic, wildlife, other dogs and the animal's stress level still matter.

Choose a lead when circumstances are uncertain. A long line can provide more freedom while retaining control, provided it is used safely and does not obstruct other people.

The official Amsterdam map and signs at the location take priority over summaries in this article.

Share the dog's normal route, lead equipment, recall limits, triggers and emergency contact. Mention places the dog must avoid and whether greetings with unfamiliar dogs are appropriate.

Ask the walker to report route changes and incidents. A short post-walk update is useful, but it should never distract from safe handling during the walk.