Early obedience training will be a big help when it comes to making sure your Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever is a friendly and well-behaved part of the household. Staying consistent and calm is key when training your Toller puppy. Like all dog breeds, they should also be socialized with gradual exposure to new people and places at a young age.
Because Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers tend to take harsh criticism to heart, be sure to focus on giving praise and positive reinforcement rather than scolding. Tollers definitely enjoy completing tasks for rewards, and once they’ve learned training basics they are capable of understanding many commands. They may also enjoy competing in agility courses and obedience events—this kind of structured activity is a fun way for the Toller to stay active.
Healthy puppies will have clean ears with no signs of discharge, redness, inflammation or pungent odour. If the puppy is aggressively scratching or pawing their ear, tilting their head or excessively flipping their head, it may also be a sign of discomfort. Breeds with floppy ears are more prone to infection or disease.