hi mate 6-7 months is a better time to start training your dog,sit and lead walking and general obedience work that you would carry out on any dog is all thats needed now.as has been said the pup needs to be a pup first.as for when its time to train,i prefer dvd/video's rather than books,its easier to see what is meant to be happening and as for spaniels ian openshaw has good dvd's but i prefer the 2 disc compilation of kirkham gundogs very interesting and informative,regards jack.