Famous for their luscious and bright red coat, Irish setters are becoming a popular house pets. But with all this hype surrounding the breed, are Irish setters dogs easy to train? Can beginner dog owners do it? Read on to see if it’s possible and how to do it yourself.
Are Irish Setters Dogs Easy to Train?
Training purebred Irish setters are easy but require a lot of patience. After all, this breed needs daily mental stimulation to have a healthy lifestyle. Irish setters are intelligent and have the continued desire to learn something new. And they can memorize commands within 15 to 25 repetitions.
Incorrectly training Irish setters will result in the breed getting bored and developing bad habits. And this often results in disruptive behavior like excess chewing, barking, and digging. This part can be tricky as these dogs need help focusing despite their natural learning talent.
Focus on making the training fun and consistent to prevent the dog from getting bored. Although it might be inconvenient, it’s better than forcing the canine to act in a way you don’t want.
Remember to be patient with your Irish setter and understand it won’t be the most task-driven dog. Also, when the canine gets something wrong, never scold or yell at it. Doing this will worsen destructive behaviors as Irish setters are sensitive and alert. If not, prepare to deal with a more challenging dog, or worse, one that’s scared of you!
Instead, practice positive reinforcement and reward-based training with your Irish setter for the best results. For instance, praise your dog or reward it whenever it follows what you told it to do. And make these training incentives different every day to keep it interested.
If you follow all these, you’ll be able to train your Irish setter like a pro in no time.
To help you navigate through training your Irish setter better, here are bad habits of the breed to keep an eye on:
Obedience Issues
As clever as they are, Irish setters have a problem with obedience. After all, they’re playful dogs with a lot of energy who don’t always like to listen to commands. And this can especially be apparent whenever you bring this breed outdoors. But we can’t blame the dog as it is in its nature to be outside.
So, how do we deal with an Irish setter whose an independent thinker and inconsistent listener? You need to be patient and train the breed consistently. As repetitive as it may get, keep training your Irish setter until it listens to you.Â
But once an Irish setter makes a mistake, never yell or scold it loudly, as this can set back its progress. Hence, be patient even when encountering obedience problems. I recommend training this breed from a young age to help you make it into an obedient and well-behaved dog later.Â
With strict training and incentives, you should be able to eliminate your Irish setter’s obedience issues.
The Constant Need for Exercise
It’s not the Irish setter’s fault for having the constant need for activity. After all, it’s in its genes to be active and rigorous as it’s initially a hunting dog. So, if you’re not ready to keep up with this breed’s busy lifestyle, don’t get one in the first place.Â
Irish setters need at least 90 minutes of daily exercise. You don’t need to do a marathon with your canine every day. Instead, light walking and jogging should do. But it can be tough to keep your Irish setter focused, so keep its mind engaged by training in short periods.
For instance, you can walk your Irish setter dog for 30 minutes in the morning, in the afternoon, and at night. This way, you’ll be able to keep the canine active while helping it enjoy the training.
High Prey Drive
It’s unsurprising to see Irish setters have such a high prey drive. After all, they’re hunting dogs bred to help hunters catch birds and small fowl. Because of this, this breed tends to run away when outdoors, which can hinder training.
Thus, you’ll need to leash-train your Irish setter to have it under control when outdoors. Aside from that, ensure your yard is escape-proof, as Irish setters wander off easily. After all, these dogs find more enjoyment in the running after birds than listening to you all the time.
It’s best to train Irish setters young to avoid all these potential issues and bad habits. Do it as early as you can to help modify their destructive behavior. And even as a pup, you must remain stern and dominant as this breed is very stubborn. It also doesn’t help that Irish setters have natural independency.Â
Be sure you have natural authority over your Irish setter by playing the role of the pack leader. If not, the dog will develop dominance issues, making it impossible to train. Also, please don’t give into this breed’s silly antics, as they’re often in play mode.
How to Train Irish Setters Dogs?
Here are four ways to train an Irish setter and their benefits:
🐕🦺 Attention Span Training
Irish setters have short attention spans and get bored fast. Hence, they often enjoy getting taught a few impulse control tricks. Many tactics are available, but the most effective ones for this breed revolve around delaying the dog’s gratification.Â
Teach your Irish setter to wait for rewards after displaying negative behaviors. But it would help if you don’t taunt this breed with treats. Instead, show the Irish setter and let it wait to get the rewards. And only give the dog its treats once it sits and calms down.
You can do the same during an Irish setter’s mealtimes and regular walks. In short, no one will have until the dog calms itself down. And you may make it easier for the both of you by showing the Irish setter a place to go whenever you need it to calm down. Often, this place tends to be the couch, bed, or living room carpet.
🐕🦺 Managing Prey Drive Training
Irish setters have a never-ending supply of energy and excitement, used to being outside. These hunting dogs often run and roam freely, chasing after small animals. And this is an excellent training method to keep the breed’s prey drive low.Â
It’s best to give your Irish setter an hour to roam around and chase whatever wildlife it encounters. Doing this daily or at least 5x a week helps this breed stay happy and fit, preventing destructive habits. Remember, having a spacious yard, or quick dog park access can improve any Irish setter’s day.Â
If you’re not confident about leaving your Irish setter to roam around, play frisbee or fetch with it. Not only will this add to your dog’s daily exercise needs, but it will also keep its high prey drive down a notch.
But if you have a young Irish pup, limit the free-roaming training to jogging or running to less than 1/2 mile until it reaches one. And once it piles up over the years, stretch out the distance to match the Irish setter’s needs. Although this might slow your training with your Irish setter, it guarantees your dog’s safety.
Walking will never be fun if you can’t commit an hour to train your Irish setter to manage its prey drive. You’ll likely deal with non-stop tugging, pulling, and chasing after every wildlife your dog sees. Or worse, your Irish setter may destroy your belongings.
🐕🦺 Recall Training
A reliable recall is when you call your Irish setter to come, and it always does. Unfortunately, this breed isn’t the easiest to recall train as it’s very independent. And often, you’ll find chasing after birds and small animals more interesting than you. So, it’s best to dedicate some time to recall training for a smoother process for others.
But as challenging as recall training is with Irish setters, it’s doable. And it is necessary since running off lead is vital for this breed’s happiness. You can make this training more fun by teaching your Irish setter reliable recall by playing “hot potato” or “find me.”
🐕🦺 Crate Training
Excellent complimentary training for Irish setters is crate training. You can use this to continue the training you give to your dog whenever you’re not around. For example, the crate stops your Irish setter from destroying your things when it gets rowdy when you’re not around to supervise.
Aside from that, crate training helps your Irish setter with bladder control well. But remember, this will never replace your guidance and if you plan on not staying at home for a while, hire a doggy sitter to let your Irish setter go out for a pee break.
🐕🦺 Leash Training (Additional)
An optional training method you can try on your Irish setter is leash training. This technique is especially crucial to learn for owners as it helps you keep your dog under control. And you’ll need extra power and grip for Irish setters, who tend to run after all animals they see.
But never let your Irish setter jump on you whenever it sees its leash and wishes to go outside. Let your canine friend sit still while you attach the leash to its collar and lead it out. If your Irish setter attempts to go before you, stand in front of it and assert dominance.
Remember, you’re the one in control, not your Irish setter.
So, are Irish setters dogs easy to train? Irish setters are trainable but often lack discipline. And if you’re not too keen on committing to daily training, look for Irish setter crossbreeds. Some mixes don’t need as much training as others.
Additional Tips for Training Irish Setters
Now that you know the answer behind — are Irish setters dogs easy to train, here are tips to streamline the process:Â
✔️ Exercise, Exercise, Exercise
As mentioned, Irish setters need plenty of exercises, more than other dog breeds. The bare minimum for this breed is 60 to 90 minutes a day. But Irish setters need at least 3 to 4 hours of exercise.Â
Luckily, they’re excellent family dogs, so take advantage of their playfulness when training. You can help your Irish setter meet the exercise goals by making it a family matter. Invite your family to walk, run, jog, or play with your canine friend. This way, it’ll be able to meet its daily exercise needs while having fun!
✔️ Teach Your Irish setter the “Come” Command Young
Teach your Irish setter to “come” to you at a young age to embed the command into its head. Although teaching your dog this repeatedly can be frustrating — it’ll come in handy later. It’ll ingrain the order into your Irish setter’s head, making it easier to let it go to you.Â
You can make training more manageable by using human food as reward incentives for following the command. But if you’re using baseline doggy kibble as treats, this doesn’t appeal to Irish setters much during training. Instead, give the dog higher-level rewards like cheese and bacon whenever it follows the command.
Introduce the “come” command to your Irish setter at your house, where there are minimal distractions. And once your dog masters this area, move to your outdoor space, then the dog park, etc.
✔️ Stop Your Irish setter Whenever it Enters Predatory Mode
Irish setters are natural hunting dogs with an affinity for chasing after small wildlife. And despite being a house pet, this breed will likely display a high prey drive whenever outside. So, watch out for your dog’s “predatory look” and stop it before it pounces on the animal.
Stop your Irish setter by removing it from the situation ASAP. After all, once the canine develops a taste for it, it won’t be able to stop. I recommend teaching your dog positive reinforcement via treats and rewards. Don’t teach your Irish setter to be scared of you.
After all, even though this breed has a short attention span, it is trainable. And with consistent and fun training sessions, it should be able to master several tricks.Â
 ✔️ Keep it Short
Keep your Irish setter’s training sessions short but fun, being around 3 to 7 minutes across the day.
✔️ Socialize Your Irish Setter Early
Socializing your Irish setter is crucial for training as it gives them a better temperament around other animals. It can help the breed control their prey drive better, making walks more manageable. And doing this as early helps the dog develop great dispositions and behavior.
With that, you don’t have to worry about your Irish setter going after every wildlife you come across when training outside. Wherever your Irish setter will be, it should be able to control itself better and not get overwhelmed by the different smells and animals scurrying around.
✔️ Vary Your Irish Setter’s Training ActivitiesÂ
We all know Irish setters get bored fast, so it only makes sense to make training activities different daily. This way, your dog can stay focused on the sessions and progress bit by bit. So, when taking your Irish setter for walks or runs, expose it to different places and smells.Â
Bring your Irish setter hiking or swimming, which meets the breed’s exercise needs and guarantees a good time for you and your dog.
✔️ Never Overexert Your Irish Setter
Although Irish setters need daily exercise, never overexert them. Not only will this lead to a tired dog, but it can also lead to many health conditions. So, keep your Irish setter’s training under control, and don’t exert the poor canine.
✔️ Don’t Forget About Mental Exercise
Keep your Irish setter’s mind active and running with obedience training. With this, your dog will do better to please you, the alpha. And not only does this meet your Irish setter’s daily exercise needs, but it also helps stimulate its mind. Hence, it can prevent your dogs from getting bored and mischievous.
I recommend teaching your Irish setter some command words, such as “come” and “heel.” Whenever you say a word, guide your Irish setter to do it, and soon, it’ll master it! And stimulate your dog’s mind further with rewards and other incentives.Â
Finally, keep training sessions short and fun to keep your Irish setter focused.Â
✔️ Consistency is Key to an Irish setter’s Proper Training Sessions
Finally, adhere to the daily training sessions to keep your Irish setter interested. The more you work with your canine friend and reiterate what it’s supposed to do, the faster it’ll learn.Â
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Irish setters ideal as a first dog?
A: Irish setters make for great first dogs as they’re friendly, getting along with everyone. They’re excellent with kids, other dogs, and some pets, though you may need to work more on the latter. Socialize your Irish setters dogs early for easier transitions when they grow.
Q: What should I know before getting an Irish setter?
A: Irish setters are notorious for their boundless energy, and you must let them exercise daily. These strawberry-coated dogs love to run and may need more food than other breeds in their size. And the need to move alongside a fast metabolism helps Irish setters digest better.Â
Q: Are Irish setters dogs easy to train for a new dog owner?
A: Irish setters are clever dogs who are hassle-free to train. But beware, Irish setters get bored fast and may take advantage of you. So, when teaching one, you must remain firm and consistent with the program to establish dominance against it.
Q: How long does training for Irish setters dogs last?
A: Solo training an Irish setter can take years as this breed matures slowly. At most, Irish setters reach maturation at 18 months, with some taking over two years. Since it takes a while for this breed’s mind to catch up with its body, remember to be patient when training.
Q: Are Irish setters dogs high maintenance?
A: Irish setters are high maintenance, needing vigorous exercise every day. At best, Irish setters thrive in the countryside, where they have plenty of space and freedom.
Final Words
Are Irish setters dogs easy to train? With their brilliant minds and keen senses, Irish setters are easily trainable. But remember, this breed is quite stubborn. And once an Irish setter gets bored, it often tries to wreak havoc. So, train yours with an open mind and patience to get a furry life companion.
