its funny how we all read different things into the written word isn't it? I am certain you won't be able to train a Retriever, or a Spaniel for that matter) without some form of study other than DVDs and you will still need to either have one to one lessons with a decent trainer or attend classes at a Gundog Club. Any of our NI members know of Clubs which hold classes? These are usually held in the Summer months which will be just about right for your pup, it will be old enough for the serious stuff then.
Meantime enrol yourself into winter Obedience Club classes, that's a good grounding for retriever work and will do the pup no harm until you can start proper gundog work in the Spring. And, errr, have a skim through some books, they don't have to be read cover to cover, just bits here and there will help, honest!
What do you intend using your IWS for?
Anyway, lets hope all the odd comments and shenanigans on this thread haven't put off our new member completely. 
Don't be put off by this lot, we always have the dog's best interests at heart even though it may not sound like it from time to time.