We’re really starting to feel the strain as a group of small local businesses.

Since the changes, our workload has effectively doubled — more driving, more walks, more time, more fuel, and double the physical energy. We are not superhuman, and this pace simply isn’t sustainable. It’s exhausting — not just from a business point of view, but physically on us as people.

For example, where I would usually walk a balanced group of 6 dogs together in a suitable open space like Purdown, I now have to split this into multiple trips. That means collecting 4 dogs, often driving past other clients’ homes, completing the walk, then going back out again for the remaining dogs. What was once one efficient round now takes hours — turning a 5:30pm finish into 7pm or later.
It’s 7:30pm again and I haven’t even had dinner yet.

This isn’t just affecting our work — it’s impacting our families, our own pets, and our wellbeing.

Across the group, walkers are reporting the same issues:
Double the driving and fuel costs
Double the walking and physical output
Longer days and late finishes
Rising stress and exhaustion.

We actively avoid small, inner-city parks out of respect — not everyone is comfortable around dogs, and as professionals we manage risk carefully. But if we are forced to try and sustain this, we will have no choice but to start using parks like St Andrews or Redland Green.
And can you imagine the level of complaints then?
You rarely see a professional dog walker with even 4 dogs in inner-city parks — let alone 6.
Now you will. Then what?
Ban professional dog walking entirely? Reduce it to 2 dogs?
At that point, there won’t be a dog walking business left anyway.

Then an even greater issue arises — dog welfare. Even more than it is now.
In my usual group of 6, the 2 dogs that now have to wait longer between walks are already being affected. This transition is likely going to mean I lose them as clients altogether. With around £500 a month already lost, it’s becoming incredibly stressful — and we aren’t even a week into this.

We are doing everything we can to remain professional, safe, and responsible — but we are reaching breaking point.

We need understanding, support, and a practical solution before this becomes completely unmanageable.

Right rules. Right places — for dogs, for people, for Bristol.