I hunt grouse with my Springer and what you are describing is more training/control issue than a dog issue. Before taking her hunting I would strongly suggest getting the basic commands down. Sit, Stay, No, Come should all be learned and listened to under all circumstances before taking her out. This will mean getting the commands down pat in the kitchen to start .. then in the back yard .. then to a field alone .. then to an area with some distractions. Don' t let her age bother you, she' s more than capable of learning these simple commands.

With these basic commands you' ll be able to control your dog enough to keep her close, and once you take her out a few times and she realizes you are only reining her in when she strays outside a certain range she should start to work closer to you. As far as " teaching" her hunting .. don' t sweat that if she has decent bloodlines, she' ll instinctively start looking for birds.

I recommend a long check cord during initial trainings .. it' ll save your sanity when she heads for the hills the first few times! If your dog ignores the " come" command ... ugh... that can be frustrating! The Springer doesn' t normally range far ahead, they typically stay real tight, unless of course they have been allowed to run free for 8 years! Good luck .. and with a little effort you should have a great hunting partner.