Google ★★★★★ 5.0 from 49 reviews (Mar 2026)
946+ dogs trained in the Macedon Ranges Read success stories →

Irish Water Spaniel Training

Do you have a Irish Water Spaniel that needs some training help? Natalie from Crazy Kind Calm dog training can help!

With over 900 dogs trained across the Macedon Ranges, Natalie understands the unique personality and needs that come with this wonderful breed.

Irish Water Spaniels are the largest and one of the oldest spaniel breeds — distinctive, curly-coated dogs bred for retrieving in cold water. They're intelligent, energetic, and have a clownish sense of humour, but can be reserved with strangers.

Common Irish Water Spaniel traits and training needs

  • High energy — bred for demanding physical work and needs serious daily exercise
  • Can be aloof or suspicious with strangers while being playful with family
  • Strong water drive — will seek out any body of water, including muddy puddles
  • Independent streak — intelligent but can be selective about following instructions
  • Mouthy breed that likes to carry and retrieve things
  • May be reactive to unfamiliar dogs, especially in new environments

Irish Water Spaniel owners have one of the most distinctive dogs at the park — and one of the cleverest. If yours makes a beeline for every puddle, mud hole, and creek, reserves their enthusiasm for family only, or has a mischievous streak that keeps you guessing — that's the breed. Their intelligence and drive make them excellent training partners when you work with their natural instincts.

Saoirse - Irish Water Spaniel dog training

Irish Water Spaniel Training Options

Whether your Irish Water Spaniel is a new puppy or an older dog with some habits to work on, we've got options to suit.

One-on-one dog training
🏠

One-on-One Training

Personalised sessions in your home, where the challenges actually happen. We work together on your specific goals — whether it's pulling on lead, barking, poor recall, jumping up, or something else entirely.

Learn more →
Puppy school class
🐕

Puppy School

Group classes in Kyneton for puppies aged 8-16 weeks. Build confidence, learn essential skills, and socialise with other pups in a safe, supportive environment.

Learn more →

Irish Water Spaniel (and others) Success Stories

★★★★★ Google
"Nat was excellent. I felt she understood my puppy and me immediately. She is clearly very knowledgeable and left me with a very different approach to helping my anxious boy. She was kind towards both my puppy and me and I was confident she understood and cared about dogs - I have had different experiences with other trainers. After our session and the follow up email I have a lot of different tools to use to work with my boy. I would recommend her to anyone looking for help giving a dog its best life. Thanks Nat."

Catherine Martin July 2025

★★★★★ Google
"We adopted a rescue dog and whilst she is very cute we knew from the onset that she would need work which is why we went to Natalie. Through the session we were able to work on some strategies to help improve behaviour and remove the anxiety out of interacting with other people/animals whilst out and about. It's been approximately a month now since our session and we can see a noticeable difference in behaviour and we continue to see improvements on a daily basis. My biggest learning was to be realistic about the experience. Things will get better in very slow, little increments. Be diligent and temper your expectations. I keep reminding myself of this and it has really changed the relationship I have with our dog. I'm excited to see her develop even further into the dog I know she can be - all thanks to Natalie."

Mighty BoB June 2023

★★★★★ Google
"Fantastic Trainer, and very knowledgeable. highly recommended."

Blake Henry November 2021

View all success stories →

Some of the Irish Water Spaniels (and others) We've Trained

Saoirse Irish Water Spaniel dog training
Saoirse Woodend
Maggie Irish Water Spaniel dog training
Maggie Daylesford
Beverly Bernese Mountain Dog dog training
Beverly Hepburn Springs
Lily Tibetan Spaniel x Cavalier x Terrier x Brittany dog training
Lily Gisborne
Rudy Dachshund dog training
Rudy Mount Helen
Bella Cavalier King Charles Spaniel dog training
Bella Malmsbury
Peanut Toy Poodle dog training
Peanut Castlemaine
Rory Jack Russell Terrier dog training
Rory Kyneton
Hamish Maltese x Shitzu dog training
Hamish Sunbury
Archie Cavoodle dog training
Archie Sunbury

Ready to train your Irish Water Spaniel?

Let's talk about your goals and how we can help your Irish Water Spaniel become the best dog they can be.

Get in touch