I've just got a 9 month old springer spaniel, he was a rescue from ireland. Hes a beautiful boy with a lovely temperament, and considering we have only had him 6 days he has really settled in. I am really struggling to keep his attention all the time, despite being quite food and toy motivated his attention span is about 2 seconds at the moment. He's had very little training so it is understandable. I have been doing a few clicker training sessions with him but he has yet to grasp sit or down without food in my hand. He has been to a training class but it was a struggle to get his attention with liver cake and sausage. (which considering he is a doggy dustbin at home this is wierd!) I have only trained dogs right from puppyhood, a BC and a goldie so i'm not sure if i am expecting too much. I know it is very early days, but Knowing how intelligent he has shown himself to be (Opening the guinea pig hutch, something which my others have never been able to do - not that i wanted him to, but thats life,) i am finding it a little frustrating. I can see real potential with him, particularly with agility when he's old enough, but also if i can really get him focused in obedience perhaps. He moves so beautifully, he lifts his front feet right up in a trot if i can get him close with his head looking up. I don't compete ofr anything, i just do it for fun, but i have never been aboe to get such beautifully moves in my others. Has anyone ever managed to do obedience with a springer or are they too scatty? Is there anything i can do to increase his attention span at all?  

Springers in general are very trainable.  It might be worth looking at his diet to see if it could be driving his ability to be easily distracted, although at 9 months, you might be expecting a bit too much, especially as you haven't had him too long - build up your relationship with him first, then start to stretch him ;)

In my experience, despite being scatty, springers are extremely trainable. Its a case of finding the 'trigger ' with them. They are extremely willing to learn once you can find what will motivate them best. With one of mine it was food, with the other it was love - he was so eager to please and didn't care about any food treats offered, he just wanted you to be pleased with him.
You say you have only had him six days and that he has been through the rescue system. I think he is probably still settling in, because of his age he won't adapt as quickly as a puppy would as i am sure you have realised, and it will probably be more difficult to get him to focus. They are very sensitive as a breed but hide this under all their clowning about.  It sounds to me like you just need to get the bonding thing going, give him some time and the rest will follow.
Interestingly enough, mine is also a doggy dustbin at home, but when away from home is reluctant to eat and will not take food from anybody else. It gets rather embarassing because people offer him treats and he will take them, turn his head to one side and spit them out!

He sounds gorgeous and i am sure you will have loads of fun with him, he will certainly keep you on your toes, thats for sure

Heather

I have three of them and they are a fantastic breed.  All mine are biddable and have been fairly easy to train.  I've had two from pups and one we took on last year and she's about 6 or 7.  They are working gundogs but Pippa, in particular, would be a fantastic agility dog.  Well done for rescuing him.

A great resource for springers is www.springthing.co.uk lots of training tips on there. (can't do the clickable link, sorry and hope it's ok to post that here)

Helen

Helen, are you sure they're ready for Terry??!!

Springers are very easy to train - mine is far too intelligent for his own good. The problem is getting their attention & keeping it. It took me 6 years & then I discovered clicker training & making him sit & ask for everything. Now he keeps a very close eye on me.