English Setters rank #37 in canine intelligence (Above average).
English Setters pick up commands quickly. Short 10–15 min sessions 2–3× daily produce rapid results. Vary exercises to prevent boredom.
Disclosure: We earn a small commission on qualifying purchases. This doesn’t affect our rankings.
Training Gear at a Glance
| Tool | Price | Type | Award |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fi Series 3 Smart Dog Collar | $149.00 | gps trackers | 🥇 |
| Whistle Go Explore GPS Tracker | $79.95 | gps trackers | |
| Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness | $25.99 | harnesses | |
| Ruffwear Front Range Dog Harness | $49.95 | harnesses | |
| PetSafe Gentle Leader Headcollar | $22.95 | training aids |
English Setter Training Profile
| Attribute | Rating |
|---|---|
| Trainability | Easy |
| Energy | Active |
| Size | Large |
| Intelligence | Above average |
Best Training Gear for English Setters
1. Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness — Best Harness
$25.99 | ★★★★★ 4.5/5
Check current price on Amazon →{rel=“nofollow sponsored”}
Best budget harness — near-Ruffwear quality at a fraction of the price
Why harness over collar: Collars put pressure on the trachea when a large dog pulls. A front-clip harness redirects pulling without the pressure, making training faster.
Pros:
- Best value no-pull harness
- 5-point adjustment
- Reflective for safety
2. Whistle Go Explore GPS Tracker — Best Leash
$79.95 | ★★★★☆ 4.2/5
Check current price on Amazon →{rel=“nofollow sponsored”}
Best budget GPS tracker — lighter and cheaper with health monitoring
Training leash rules: Use a 4–6 foot standard leash for training — never a retractable lead, which gives inconsistent feedback and teaches dogs that pulling works.
3. Fi Series 3 Smart Dog Collar — Best Collar / GPS
$149.00 | ★★★★☆ 4.4/5
Check current price on Amazon →{rel=“nofollow sponsored”}
Best GPS collar for active owners — 3-month battery is class-leading
English Setter Training Timeline
Week 1–2: Foundation
- Sit, down, stay — the three non-negotiable commands
- Name recognition — pair name with treat every time they look at you
- Loose-leash walking — start indoors, 5 minutes at a time
Week 3–4: Building blocks
- Come (recall) — most important safety command; use a long line in the garden
- Leave it — critical for active English Setters on walks
- Polite greetings — 4-on-floor rule: attention only when all paws are down
Month 2–3: Generalisation
- Practice all commands in new locations with distractions
- Puppy or group classes — socialisation is as important as obedience
- Begin breed-specific enrichment: agility, nosework, or tracking for English Setters
Common English Setter Training Mistakes
- Inconsistency — if “off the sofa” means sometimes, it means never. All family members must follow the same rules.
- Sessions too long — 10–15 minutes max for English Setters before quality drops.
- Using punishment — creates anxiety and suppresses behaviour without teaching an alternative.
- Skipping socialisation — English Setters not exposed to varied people, dogs and environments during puppyhood develop fear-based reactivity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: At what age should I start training my English Setter? A: The moment you bring them home — typically 8 weeks. Short positive sessions from week 8 produce dogs that are fundamentally easier to live with.
Q: How long should training sessions be? A: 10–15 minutes, 2–3 times daily for English Setters. Always end before your dog loses interest.
Q: My English Setter pulls badly on lead. What works? A: The Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness with front-clip is the most immediate solution — it redirects pulling instead of punishing it. Pair with the “be a tree” method: stop completely when tension appears, move forward only on a loose lead.
Q: Should I attend puppy classes? A: Yes — the socialisation value alone justifies the cost, especially for large breeds. Group classes also teach training in the presence of distractions, which is where most home training falls apart.
Our Verdict
Training a English Setter well comes down to the right equipment (start with Rabbitgoo No-Pull Dog Harness), consistent positive reinforcement, and enough mental enrichment to prevent boredom-based problems.
English Setters that get adequate training and stimulation are genuinely easy, joyful companions. Undertrained English Setters are a handful — the difference is entirely in the approach.
More English Setter guides:
- Best food for English Setters →
- Best toys for English Setters →
- English Setter health guide →
- English Setter care hub →