The LuckyPaw Blog
Honest, practical articles for dog owners — behaviour, puppies, health, food and life with a dog in the Netherlands. Written by a local dog-walking couple in Wassenaar, based on what we see every day.
Looking for local walking spots and rules?See our Wassenaar dog guides →
Are shock collars legal in the Netherlands?
Shock collars on dogs have been banned in the Netherlands since 1 January 2022, even when switched off. What counts, who is exempt, and how to report it.
Read the article →When is a dog considered old? Senior age by size and breed
An average dog is a senior at around 7, a very large, heavy dog sooner, a small dog later. How long breeds live, and how often an older dog needs the vet.
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Puppy teething: what is normal, and when to see your vet
When do puppies lose their baby teeth, what is normal and when should you see a vet? An age table, a weekly mouth check and what a teething pup can chew.
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Dog won't listen outdoors: why it works at home and not outside
Your dog listens at home but not outside? The seven usual causes, a step-by-step plan from living room to beach, and what to do when he won't come back.
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Which dog suits my life?
Which dog suits your life? Start with your week, not the breed: what rules itself out, what breed says about behaviour, puppy or adult, and what to check.
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Walking your dog safely after dark
Winter time, short days, no pavement: how to walk your dog safely after dark. Being seen, your route, lead or no lead, and what to do if your dog bolts.
Read the article →Recognising arthritis in dogs: the signs that look like 'just old age'
Stiff after rest, slower on walks, no longer jumping: arthritis often looks like old age. The signs owners miss, how to record them and when to see a vet.
Read the article →Puppy biting: what works, and what makes it worse
Biting is normal for a puppy, but your hands are not a toy. A step-by-step plan without punishment, an honest test for the yelp, and what the signs mean.
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Dog pulling on the lead: loose-lead training and the Dutch rules
Living in the Netherlands with a dog that pulls? A step-by-step training plan, which collars are banned here, and where Wassenaar requires a lead.
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How much does a dog walker cost? Prices, differences and a worked example
A dog walker in the Netherlands usually costs €10 to €30 a walk. Published rates from The Hague and beyond, what drives the price, and a worked example.
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Private vs group dog walks: which one suits your dog?
Group walks suit social, healthy dogs; private walks suit reactive, anxious, senior, recovering or in-season dogs and young pups. Checklist included.
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An English-speaking dog walker in The Hague and Wassenaar: what expats should know
Looking for an English-speaking dog walker in The Hague or Wassenaar? What to check, the Dutch dog rules your walker must know and how booking works.
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How to choose a dog walker you can trust: 12 questions for the meet-and-greet
How to choose a dog walker you can trust: 12 questions for the meet-and-greet, the red flags to watch for, and who is liable if something goes wrong.
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Giving a dog walker your house key: how to do it safely
Giving a dog walker your house key is safe with clear agreements. Spare key, key safe or smart lock, what to agree first, and what to ask your insurer.
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A dog walker when you work full time: how to cover the working day
Working full time means your dog needs a break during the day. Midday walks, daycare or home-office days: a sample week with real prices and what to agree.
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How often should you walk your dog?
At least one or two walks a day, plus enough toilet breaks. Broken down by age, breed and energy, with a reputable source behind every number we use.
Read the article →What does a dog walker do?
A dog walker collects your dog, walks them, sends you an update and brings them home. Step by step, plus service types, the meet-and-greet and costs.
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Walking a dog after surgery: how, how long, and when to call the vet
After surgery, your dog goes out only briefly on a lead. What vets set after neutering or orthopaedic surgery, how to walk, and when to call the vet.
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Puppy house training: the step-by-step plan that is actually realistic
Most puppies are house trained by around six months. A schedule by age, a plan for the nights, and what to do with no garden or in the Dutch rain.
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Puppy socialization: the complete Wassenaar guide
Puppies socialize most easily between 3 and 16 weeks. What your pup should get to know, the best quiet places in Wassenaar, and the mistakes to avoid.
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How much does a dog cost per month? Honest numbers for 2026
Expect roughly €100 to €250 per month for a dog, plus one-off first-year costs. Every cost item in one overview — including the ones owners tend to forget.
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How long can a dog stay home alone — and what if you have to work?
An adult dog can stay home alone for about 4 to 6 hours at most; a puppy far less. Age-by-age guidelines, stress signals, and what to arrange when you work.
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Kennel, pet sitter or home boarding? An honest comparison
Kennel, sitter at home or small-scale home boarding: what fits your dog? An honest comparison on atmosphere, cost and certainty — plus what to always ask.
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The first 30 days with your new dog: the complete plan
The 3-3-3 rule, a week-by-week plan and the Dutch admin (chip, registration, vet) — plus the calmest places in Wassenaar for those first walks.
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