Nimbus Dogs

Nimbus Dogs Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Nimbus Dogs, Dog trainer, Epsom.

// IMDT-accredited reward and games based trainer based in Epsom, Surrey, UK.

// Puppy & Young Dog Specialist with a love for high energy breeds

// Preventative training = DO MORE, TOGETHER

24/08/2026

If you’re anything like me, when you first got your dog you probably got VERY excited about training.

And then came the constant question:

“What should we train next?”

Having a clever, energetic dog can make it feel like you need to work their brain every single day so it’s easy to find yourself chasing the next fun trick, new skill or impressive behaviour.

And yes, there’s absolutely a place for that.

But these days, I’m much more interested in going back to the basics.

Because the basics aren’t something you teach once and tick off the list.

They can always be improved.

The trick is learning how to make something your dog already understands a little more challenging.

Try adding:

Duration — can they hold the behaviour for longer?

Distance — can they do it when you’re further away?

Distraction — can they still do it when something interesting is happening around them?

And while you’ll often hear that you should only change one thing at a time, I’ve found that with clever, energetic dogs, they can often handle a little more.

They enjoy the challenge.

So once your dog understands the behaviour, don’t be afraid to mix it up with a sprinkle of each.

Take any exercise you’re already working on and ask yourself:

How can I make this just a little bit harder?

Different location.
Longer duration.
More distance.
Something happening in the background.
Or maybe a combination of all four.

You don’t always need something new to train.

Sometimes you just need to get better at what you’ve already taught.

22/08/2026

It’s easy to feel like you’re failing at training because your dog is still on a lead.

Especially when social media and dog culture in the UK can make it seem like having your dog off lead is the ultimate measure of success.

It isn’t.

Of course, dogs benefit from safe off-lead freedom. That’s not what I’m arguing against.

But clients often ask me: “When can I let them off lead?”

And, as with most things dog training, my answer is:

It depends.

Has your dog actually proven they’re reliable?
Are they in an environment they can cope with?
Or are they overstimulated, distracted and unlikely to respond?
How are they feeling today ready to engage, or having a slightly pessimistic day?

There are so many reasons your dog might not be ready for off-lead freedom yet.

And using a lead or long line while you work on those things isn’t failure.

It’s responsible dog ownership.

You don’t get extra points for letting your dog off lead before they’re ready.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for your dog, other people, other dogs and your own peace of mind is keep the long line on.

Responsible is cool.

And your dog doesn’t need to be off lead 100% of the time to have a brilliant life.

Want to learn what puppy socialisation is really all about?Have an hour to spare for some fun with your young puppy and ...
19/08/2026

Want to learn what puppy socialisation is really all about?
Have an hour to spare for some fun with your young puppy and plenty of learning for the human?
Join us for Puppy Adventure Hour.
An hour to learn, explore and have a good time, while discovering more about your own puppy and how you can best support them as they grow.
This isn't a puppy party. It's a chance to learn more about socialisation, experience new things together and build skills that will help you and your puppy out in the real world.
Saturday 5 September · 11.30am
Langley Vale Village Hall, Epsom
Next date: 3 October
Find out more and book via
https://nimbusdogs.com/puppy-socialisation-class/

Please share this with anyone who's just got a new puppy, or thinking of adding one to the family.

What started as a way to train our own dog to settle in public has over the years become a weekly habit, so we may as we...
12/08/2026

What started as a way to train our own dog to settle in public has over the years become a weekly habit, so we may as well make a bit more official and invite you to join us!!

Come find us for a coffee and chat.
Whether you’re thinking of getting a new puppy and want some advise on what best steps to take or you’re currently struggling with your young dog. We can help you.

Come find us at Caffè Nero Epsom every Thursday morning between 8.30 - 9.30 and say hello!

I do not feel confident sharing this. Because I’m a dog trainer, and there’s a strange expectation that if you do this p...
31/07/2026

I do not feel confident sharing this.

Because I’m a dog trainer, and there’s a strange expectation that if you do this professionally, you should somehow have your own dogs completely figured out.

I don’t.

Yesterday, I made a series of management decisions that put me and Magik in a situation I knew was difficult but didn’t get ahead of it quickly enough.

The result was a highly aroused dog, a very difficult situation and me on the receiving end of a lot of teeth attached to an angry dog.

I am bruised, I’m scraped up but my self worth took a bigger beating than my arms did.

Because I know better.

But knowing better doesn’t make you immune to getting things wrong.

Magik has had this behaviour since adolescence. It is rare now but hasn’t disappeared. It probably never will.
We’ve spent years working on impulse control, frustration tolerance, regulation and management.

And still sometimes, the wrong combination of triggers can push her beyond the point where I can safely handle her.

That is incredibly hard to live with.

Because this is also the dog who I care for so deeply

The dog who is so fun to train

The dog I want to share life with

The dog who has taught me more about behaviour, genetics, management and myself than any qualification ever could

Not every difficult behaviour is something you can simply ‘train out’

Sometimes you manage it

Sometimes you adapt

Sometimes you make mistakes

And sometimes you have to grieve the dog you thought you were going to have while learning to love the dog standing in front of you.

Magik is a huge part of why Nimbus Dogs exists

I now know how much easier it would have been if I’d understood more before I started.

That’s why I’m passionate about helping people get the foundations right.

Good foundations don’t guarantee a perfect dog but understanding your dog, their genetics, their temperament, their needs and your own limitations gives you a much better chance of building a life that works for both of you.

Raising a challenging dog is very much part of my story, it doesn’t have to be part of yours too.

29/07/2026

Most people don’t know that you can hire a dog trainer long before you bring your puppy home.
Getting a new puppy is a huge commitment and life changing event and should be considered carefully.

Hiring a qualified dog trainer means you will have a guiding hand in choosing the right puppy for your lifestyle, seeing the more subtle red flags when choosing your breeder - and helping you walk away if something isn’t right!!.

Training your puppy before they come home to you? Yes we can help you do that too, meaning your puppy could come home already knowing some fundamental basics and be way ahead in life.

I can help you with all the fundamentals of the buying process ensuring you end up on the right path from day 1!

It almost sounds too good to be true. But it isn’t. Want to start on the right foot? Then speak to your local dog trainer and see how they can help you.

One of the hardest parts of owning an adolescent dog is knowing when to trust your training.You’ve likely spent months d...
20/07/2026

One of the hardest parts of owning an adolescent dog is knowing when to trust your training.

You’ve likely spent months doing the right things. Buying the long line. Practising recall. Managing the environment. Avoiding situations where your dog can rehearse ignoring you.

Then one day you realise... nothing has changed.

Not because your dog isn’t learning, but because you’ve both become comfortable with the long line.

Long lines are one of my favourite training tools. They keep dogs safe, prevent bad habits from becoming established and take so much pressure off while you’re building reliable recall.

But they were never meant to be the destination.

At some point, your dog needs carefully planned opportunities to practise freedom. Not complete freedom in the middle of a busy park, but small moments where they can make good choices and discover that staying connected to you is worthwhile.

That transition is often scarier for us than it is for our dogs.

When the line comes off, we suddenly become more aware. We watch our dog’s body language, engage with them more, reward more often and stay one step ahead of distractions. Ironically, those are exactly the skills that help create reliable off lead dogs.

If your adolescent dog’s recall is progressing well, ask yourself this:

**Have I stopped using the long line as a training tool... and started using it as a comfort blanket?**

What stage are you and your dog at right now? Are you still building foundations, or are you starting to introduce more off lead freedom?

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Epsom
KT171XN

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