Diving headfirst into a wave on an Irish beach, with unruly curls bouncing and a tail that’s briskly swishing – it’s not a rare sight to see an Irish Water Spaniel reveling in its natural habitat. Known as the clown of the spaniel family, this dog breed has an infectious energy that has warmed the hearts of dog lovers worldwide. In fact, these spirited creatures are so loved that they were chosen as a mascot for the Irish Kennel Club!
Now, while their wild and woolly appearance along with their comic nature may seem appealing, training them is a whole other ball game. You see, the Irish Water Spaniel isn’t just your regular dog breed, there’s a lot more to them beneath that curly coat and those big, expressive eyes.
Somewhere around the 1830s, a man named Justin McCarthy bred the Irish Water Spaniel out of a mix of dog breeds. He was aiming for a dog that could withstand the cold waters prevalent in Ireland, thus came the advent of a web-footed, water-repellent-coat owning Spaniel that absolutely thrives in wet conditions.
But are they easy to train? For that, let’s shake off the water and dive deeper into the playful personality and intelligence of these beautiful dogs.
Firstly, it’s imperative to mention just how smart these dogs are. Qualities like independence, curiosity, and intelligence are rife within the Irish Water Spaniel, making them both a joy and a challenge to train. They are like curious children always ready to explore the world. When nurtured with the right training approach, their prevalent characteristics can be molded into other complementary behaviors, like obedience and cooperation.
Nonetheless, as with all smart breeds, the Irish Water Spaniel can have a streak of stubbornness. To them, every day is a new opportunity for adventure – and training can sometimes come off as a boring chore.
So does that mean they’re difficult to train? Not necessarily!
The trick lies in making the training sessions as engaging as possible. For instance, instead of repetitive command training, try to incorporate their favorite games. A session of fetch turned into a lesson on retrieving is not just productive but fun for your Spaniel. Remember, training is more effective when the ‘student’ is interested!
Another interesting aspect about these dogs is they are sensitive by nature. So, a harsh training approach can lead them to become reserved or even obstinate. Positive reinforcement techniques, like treats and praises, work remarkably well with this breed. They are eager to please their owners and when their efforts are appreciated, they are even more motivated to follow instructions.
Like with humans, every Irish Water Spaniel is different. What might work for one, may not for another- especially when it comes to training. It’s all about patience and persistence.
Keep in mind, these pups are natural borne swimmers. A simple, yet effective, method would be such to bring them to a water body for both play and practice. Under your watchful eye, let them indulge in what they love doing the most: swimming. Use this time to inculcate some basic commands like ‘come’, ‘stay’, etc. Ensure that your commands are simple and your voice is firm, yet encouraging.
Socialization also plays a crucial part in easing the training process. Exposing your Spaniel to different people, settings, and other animals will make them well-adjusted and more obedient.
While training may require effort and patience, it is certainly not impossible. In fact, the process can even help to strengthen your bond with your adorable Irish Water Spaniel. So, when asked, ‘Is an Irish Water Spaniel easy to train?’ – it’s quite conditional. It depends on how you train – flexibility, creativity, and positivity are key components to shaping your Irish Water Spaniel’s behaviors.
Just remember, the journey of training is a roller coaster ride, filled with ups and downs, but at the end of the day, the joyous leaping and affectionate licks from your water-loving friend make it all worth the effort!
