Can Tollers Be Left Alone? How to Teach Your Toller to Enjoy Time Alone
Can Tollers be left alone?
It's one of the most common questions people ask before bringing home a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
The short answer is: yes, many adult Tollers can learn to spend time alone comfortably—but it is a skill that needs to be taught.
Tollers are intelligent, active and very people-oriented dogs. Many love being involved in whatever their family is doing, whether that's going for a walk, working from home, heading into the garden or simply moving from one room to another.
That close bond is one of the best things about owning a Toller.
It can also mean that learning to be comfortable alone deserves some attention from the very beginning.
Why Do Tollers Follow You Everywhere?
If you've recently brought home a Toller, you may notice your puppy following you from room to room.
Kitchen?
They're there.
Bathroom?
Obviously.
Home office?
They're underneath the desk.
Garden?
Already waiting at the door.
This is often simply part of being a social, curious puppy.
Your dog wants to know what you're doing.
It doesn't automatically mean your Toller has separation anxiety.
However, if your dog becomes extremely distressed whenever you leave, it is worth taking the behaviour seriously.
Can Tollers Develop Separation Anxiety?
Any dog can develop separation-related problems.
Some dogs cope very comfortably when their owner leaves.
Others find being alone difficult.
Tollers can be particularly attached to their people, so teaching independence should be part of their training rather than something you wait to address until there's a problem.
The goal isn't to make your Toller less attached to you.
It's to teach them:
"My person can leave, and I am still safe."
Start With Tiny Separations
One of the biggest mistakes owners make is expecting a puppy to suddenly cope with several hours alone.
Instead, start incredibly small.
Ask your puppy to remain in a safe area while you:
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Walk into another room
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Close a door briefly
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Step outside for a moment
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Return
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Repeat
The exact duration isn't important at first.
Success is.
If your puppy can remain relaxed for 30 seconds, you've got something to build on.
Gradually Increase the Time
Once your puppy is comfortable with a very short absence, gradually increase it.
For example:
30 seconds.
1 minute.
2 minutes.
5 minutes.
Then longer periods.
Don't increase the duration every single time.
Sometimes make the next repetition easier.
The idea is to build confidence rather than constantly test your puppy's limits.
Make Leaving Boring
You don't need a dramatic goodbye.
In fact, calm departures can make things easier.
Avoid turning every departure into:
"Bye! I'm leaving! I'll be back! Are you okay? Are you sure? Here's another cuddle!"
Simply leave calmly.
Your puppy learns that departures are normal.
And Make Coming Home Calm Too
The same principle applies when you return.
You don't need to ignore your dog completely.
But try not to make your arrival the most exciting event of the day.
Come in.
Put your things down.
Let your dog settle.
Then give them attention.
This helps make the contrast between "alone" and "together" less dramatic.
Create a Safe Alone-Time Routine
A predictable routine can help.
Before leaving, your Toller might:
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Go outside for a toilet break.
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Have some appropriate activity.
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Settle with something safe and enjoyable.
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You leave calmly.
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You return without creating a huge event.
Consistency helps your dog understand what happens next.
Exercise Can Help—But It Isn't a Cure
A Toller who has had appropriate physical and mental activity may find it easier to settle.
But exhausting your dog before every departure isn't a solution to separation anxiety.
Your Toller also needs to learn that being alone is safe.
Our guide to How Much Exercise Does a Toller Need? explains why mental stimulation is just as important as physical exercise.
You can also find plenty of ideas in 15 Best Activities for Tollers.
Mental Enrichment Before Alone Time
Some dogs enjoy having something appropriate to work on when they're alone.
Depending on your dog's age and what they can safely use unsupervised, this could include an appropriate food toy or enrichment activity.
The aim isn't to distract your dog for hours.
It's to create positive associations with settling down.
Don't Sneak Away From Your Puppy
It can be tempting to leave while your puppy is distracted because you're worried they'll notice.
But there's an argument for teaching your dog that departures are predictable.
Your puppy should gradually learn:
"Sometimes my human gets up and leaves, and they always come back."
You don't need to disappear secretly.
Watch Your Camera
A simple home camera can be extremely useful.
Your Toller might cry for 30 seconds and then curl up for a nap.
Or they might become increasingly distressed after you leave.
Those are very different situations.
Watching what happens after you leave can help you understand your dog's behaviour rather than guessing.
What Are Signs of Separation-Related Distress?
Possible signs can include:
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Persistent barking or howling
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Repeated attempts to escape
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Destructive behaviour focused around doors or windows
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Excessive pacing
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Drooling
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Toileting despite being reliably house-trained
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Inability to settle
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Extreme distress when you prepare to leave
If your dog shows significant or persistent distress when alone, speak with your veterinarian and consider working with a qualified behaviour professional.
Don't punish the behaviour.
Your dog isn't trying to get revenge.
Independence Is a Training Skill
One of the most useful things you can teach a Toller puppy is that they don't need to be involved in everything.
You can practise independence while you're still at home.
Give your puppy time to relax on their bed while you work.
Encourage calm chewing.
Let them nap without constantly interacting with them.
Reward relaxed behaviour.
This creates an important skill:
Being apart doesn't mean something is wrong.
Your Toller Can Still Be Your Shadow
Teaching independence doesn't mean you need to stop enjoying your relationship.
Your Toller can still follow you around.
Go hiking with you.
Sleep beside you.
Join you on adventures.
The goal is simply to give your dog another skill:
How to be comfortable when you're not available.
Our Toller Training Tips guide covers the wider foundations of building a confident and well-trained Toller.
Life With a Toller Is About Balance
The best relationship with your dog isn't one where you are together every second.
It's one where your Toller feels secure whether you're:
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On a woodland walk
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Training together
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Sitting on the sofa
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Working at home
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Or briefly somewhere else
That confidence takes time.
Be patient.
Build gradually.
And remember that your puppy doesn't need to learn everything in one week.
Ready for More Toller Adventures?
Once your Toller is comfortable with time alone, you can focus even more on the fun parts of life together.
Explore The Toller Club for more breed guides and Toller-inspired apparel.
And when you're heading out together, check out the NSDTR Cap collection.
Because whether you're training, hiking or simply enjoying another ordinary day with your favourite red dog, life really is better with a Toller.