Training an Irish Setter: what works and what to expect

Irish Setters are intelligent but easily distracted and sensitive to harsh handling, so a raised voice often does more harm than good. Keep training short, fun and varied, using food, toys and praise. A gentle but consistent approach works best, and progress can be slower than with some retrievers.

Common challenges include recall, pulling on the lead and jumping on people. Start in quiet places and add distractions gradually. Use a long line during recall training, reward every voluntary check-in and practice a steady sit before the leash goes on. Patience pays off: many setters improve dramatically once adolescence is over.