Is it possible to be a dog walker with a small car?

[legoge]

I have a small car (think Ford Fiesta size) but I'm interested in becoming a dog walker. This is also used as my family car.
Upsizing or sourcing a van aren't an option with my current finances.

Would this be possible? I don't know if I'm finding 'excuses' of why things would be too difficult or if it'd actually be feasible and I should just go for it.

I think this depends on your anticipated business model. If your're seeking to pick up several dogs of a morning and then take them all out, presumably same in the afternoon with a different cohort, then I think you cannot do this in your small care. If youre only picking up a few dogs, I dont see why you can't do this in a small car with the backseats down. Other option wouldn be to travel to peoples houses for a a walk or a loo break and then move on to the next. Depending on your home circumstances, you might find that doggy day care for a small group plus or minus home boarding are more lucrative and less logistically challenging.

It would be difficult as you would be very limited in the dogs you could have. You would probably need to put crates in your boot and that's probably going to limit you to two dogs a time. You'd have to run the finances to see if it was viable. How much do you want to make per day?

@ThreeB I only intend on working part-time and I'd aim for around £60 a day to start with.

Since 2016 dogs have to be restrained, either in a crate, behind a dog guard or with a harness and attachment that clips into the seatbelt. If you are involved in an accident with dogs loose in the cabin your insurance company won't pay. With a small car, a dog guard behind the front row of seats might be your best option.

As long as you don’t have children in the car at the same time you could cover the back seat with a fitted dog hair proof cover. www.amazon.co.uk/Petnice-Waterproof-Scratch-Nonslip-Hammock/dp/B091GDFNVB/ref=asc_df_B091GDFNVB/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=500894404505&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=8537753040642639572&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=1006900&hvtargid=pla-1268782508329&psc=1As long as you had 2 or 3 dogs who get on you could sit them on the back seat with harnesses and seat belt restrains.
www.amazon.co.uk/TinyPaw-Tangle-Free-Attachment-Adjustable-Length/dp/B08D891RGG/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=2Z6R6WQOM5QOB&keywords=Dog+seat+belt+restraints&qid=1675712569&s=automotive&sprefix=dog+seat+beltvreatrainrs%2Cautomotive%2C79&sr=1-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
Alternatively you’d have to put rear seat flat and put two, three or four crates in, depending on sizes of dogs of course.

My dog walker walks each dog individually around their local area, could you look at doing that rather than groups?
I wouldn't personally have a dog walker who walked with groups of dogs as I prefer mine to have that 1-1 time which helps to build up a relationship and trust between the dog and walker.

Local area to the dog that's being walked that is, the walker drives between clients.

My neighbours a dog walker and she's just got a new car, she's gone for a smart car! I think the majority of her clients live nearby, so she drives to a couple of houses to collect dogs then walks from there. We are fortunate that we can walk to a country park.

How many dogs would you be needing to take in the car at one time? With all dogs needing to be restrained it's something to think about.