Are Springer Spaniels easy to train?
Yes, generally — Springer Spaniels are intelligent, food and toy motivated, and genuinely eager to please, which are three of the biggest predictors of a trainable dog. The honest caveat is that they are also a high-energy working breed, and that same drive that makes them quick learners can turn into frustrating behaviour if training and exercise do not keep up with it.
What makes them trainable
Springer Spaniels were bred as working gundogs, a role that depends on a dog being responsive to commands and genuinely wanting to work with a handler rather than independently — traits that carry over well into pet training. They tend to pick up commands quickly and respond well to reward-based methods.
Their food motivation, in particular, makes treat-based training straightforward for most owners, and their general eagerness to engage means training sessions are often something the dog enjoys rather than tolerates.
Where it gets harder
A Springer's high energy and strong hunting instinct mean that training has to be consistent and started early, because a bored or under-exercised Springer can develop unwanted habits — excessive barking, destructive chewing, or difficulty settling — that owners sometimes mistake for a training failure rather than an exercise and stimulation shortfall.
Recall around interesting scents or wildlife can be a specific challenge for the breed given their working heritage, and is often the one area that needs the most consistent, ongoing practice even in an otherwise well-trained Springer.
What actually helps
Starting basic training early, keeping sessions short and consistent, and pairing training with plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation all make a real difference with this breed. A tired, mentally engaged Springer is a considerably easier dog to train than a bored, under-exercised one.
Puzzle feeders and scent-based games can help meet a Springer's need for mental work on days when a full walk is not possible, and training treats used little and often keep reward-based sessions moving along.
Working-line versus show-line temperament
Springer Spaniels bred from working lines tend to carry an even higher drive and energy level than those from show lines, which affects how much daily exercise and mental work they realistically need to stay settled and trainable. A working-line Springer in a home without enough outlet for that drive is more likely to develop the frustrated behaviours mentioned above.
Knowing which type of breeding your dog comes from, where possible, helps set realistic expectations before training even starts — a working-line Springer is not being 'harder to train' if it simply needs considerably more exercise and stimulation than a show-line dog of the same breed to reach the same settled state.
Kit for this breed
Things we stock that owners commonly reach for here. Nothing on this page depends on you buying one.
Inflatable Herding Ball with Handles for Dogs
A large, tough inflatable herding ball that taps into your dog's natural chase-and-nudge instinct. Reinforced bite-resistant fabric and grab handles make it great for active outdoor play with medium and large breeds.
£29.99
Plush Strawberry Snuffle Mat
An interactive foraging mat with removable plush strawberries that hide treats and kibble. Encourages natural snuffling and slows feeding, providing mental enrichment for dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs alike.
From£13.99
Plush Snuffle Foraging Mat
A roll-up plush snuffle mat with cute animal designs. Hide treats in the folds and let your pet sniff and forage to find them - a rewarding enrichment game that beats boredom and slows feeding.
£13.99
Common questions
- Are Springer Spaniels good for first-time dog owners?
- They can be, provided the owner is genuinely prepared for a high-energy, working-bred dog that needs real daily exercise and mental stimulation. A first-time owner who cannot commit to that is likely to find the breed's energy harder to manage than a lower-drive breed.
- At what age should I start training a Springer Spaniel puppy?
- Basic training, including recall and settling behaviour, can start as soon as a puppy comes home, kept short and positive at that age. Formal training classes are often recommended once vaccinations allow safe socialisation with other dogs.
- Why does my Springer Spaniel ignore recall around other dogs or scents?
- This is a common challenge with the breed given their working drive, and it usually needs specific, repeated practice in increasingly distracting environments rather than assuming general obedience will transfer automatically to a high-distraction situation.
- How much exercise does a Springer Spaniel need to be well-behaved?
- Most adult Springers do well with well over an hour of proper exercise a day, ideally including some off-lead time and mental engagement rather than a single steady walk, though individual dogs and working lines in particular can need considerably more.
Related
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Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.