HH, As for the forced retrieve training I followed the plan in a book written by James Spencer entitled Hup!. This is a book decicated to training spaniels. The first section outlines all the spaniels breeds, and their traits. The second section is all training. The book is available at Amazon.com. I checked recently, as I gave my copy away a long time ago, and now I'm again searching for a springer to start. I'd feel much better with this book in hand while training.

Because you are shooting so much snipe, I'd say suffer through this season as best you can, and start the program after the seasons end. Which comes all too soon as we all know.

Good luck.