Hi I have a springer spaniel called "Sullie" he is 10 Months old and is massive knocking on 20Kilos. I am funnily enough encountering the same problems. But I have come to conclusion he wants to be a gun dog so I am now training him to the whistle. My sullile likes to jump up and hold onto you!!! which I know is not ideal but he is telling you he wants to play (i think) but also it's getting on my nerves. My partner has difficulty controlling sullie when not with me, and is now adamant he will not walk him. Sullie is excellent when it comes to sniffing birds and rabbits and in our village he is in his element. Iam today buying a trainnig lead as once he has had a run he walks to heel I am doing this for my husband. Sullie also barks at my hoover but once he has barked four or five times he looses interest and finds something else. again because he is so big you forget is only ten months old and I feel that is the problem with big ESS. On Command (indoors) he is excellent but when outdoors he is all over the place and does not focus.Hence the whistle..
the only thing I have to put forward is what is a ESS favourite treat!! I have tried chocolate (dog ones) Ham all sorts and he is just not interested. This would help when training outside....