THE TOLLER TEMPERAMENT
They are incredibly fast learners and require creative and mentally stimulating training. A tired dog is a hap- py owner, and bored Tollers will often find something to do that usually involves taking something apart. Toller owners often find it’s best to find their dog a job rather he become self-employed. The resulting self-employment is seldom pleasant. They have been known to do such jobs as peel drywall, de-stuff couches, and shred photo- graphs and important papers. Although energetic, Toll- ers are not known for being neurotic and are less intense than a Border Collie. Toller owners will often find, with some physical and mental tiredness, the Toller is a lov- ing family dog that is happy to cuddle at the end of a day’s work. Since they need to work and take well to training, owners of a Toller often find it’s important to do some sort of training or activity with their dog. The Toller is an extremely versatile breed, able to excel in a wide variety of dog sports and activities. Tollers love to work with people who love to work with them. They can excel in (and be your best friend) doing just about anything from obedience, rally, agility, and field to dock diving, flyball, lure coursing, tracking, nosework, barn hunt, even trick training and more. Of course, they are always up for fetching, hiking, and swimming. They are able to go from couch potato to bounding retriever in mere seconds! They like new experiences and are easy to take traveling. Tollers are physically and emotionally sensitive though, so care does need to be taken with how much pressure is applied in training. They are easily motivat- ed, and food, toys, and anything that moves can be used to engage a Toller. Many are eager to please and all are goal oriented. Using positive reinforcement techniques such as play, praise, and food rewards works well for Tol- lers. With this breed, it’s important to establish rules, be consistent, and above all, prevent the dog from getting bored. Training them requires flexibility and a sense of humor. Tollers tend to put their own spin on things and often ask what’s in it for them. Training sessions are best kept short, upbeat, and challenging. Tollers are highly adaptable and can even fare well in apartments or condos, as long as their humans can keep up with providing them with enough physical and mental activities. A Toller thrives when he lives with a family that is willing to spend plenty of time training and exercising him. Compared to Golden Retrievers, most Tollers are less submissive, less outgoing with strangers, and less adapt- able to low-exercise households. This is a high-energy breed and, while they do have an “off switch,” those who are looking for a casual pet that doesn’t need much exercise and sleeps most of the day may find that the Toller is too much dog. Having a Toller is a mental and physical commitment. A Toller’s love for life is infectious and they try to engage everyone around them in their play. If you are standing near a Toller, they will drop a ball or toy at your feet. They are the world’s best mood-lifter! It is hard not to feel joy in your heart when you see a Toller retrieve. Toller owners will often tell you the best thing about having a Toller is that there is never a dull moment and life is never boring with them!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jennifer Hollis is the Public Education Coordinator for the Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Club. She is currently owned by two Tollers: “Dodger,” who started it all almost 14 years ago, and his son “DJ.” Jennifer and Dodger and DJ participate in conformation as well as a wide variety of dog sports, including obedience, rally, agility, field, CAT, FAST CAT, dock diving, and barn hunt.
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, MAY 2021 | 265
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