The First 8 Weeks in a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Puppy’s Life
Raising Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever puppies from birth to 8 weeks is one of the most rewarding experiences for us as breeders. Every litter is a little different, but the magic of watching these tiny, helpless pups grow into bold, playful little Tollers never gets old.
If you’ve ever wondered what happens during those first precious weeks — before your puppy comes home — here’s a week-by-week peek inside life at TNT Tollers.
Week 1 – Welcome to the World
Newborn Tollers come into the world with their eyes closed and ears sealed shut. They can’t hear or see yet, but don’t let that fool you — they already know how to find mom by smell and warmth.
In these early days, they’re too small to support their own weight, so they scoot and wiggle around the whelping box on their bellies, slowly building strength in their little legs. They can’t go potty on their own yet — mom takes care of that by licking their bottoms to stimulate them.
Their only jobs this week? Eat. Sleep. Grow. And they do it well — a healthy puppy will usually double its birth weight by the end of week one.
For me, week one is about making sure everyone is nursing well, staying warm, and gaining weight. You’ll often find me sitting right by the box, listening to the soft puppy squeaks and watching their tiny bodies rise and fall as they sleep.
Week 2 – Eyes on the World
Around day 10–14, something amazing happens — their eyes start to open! At first, it’s just a little slit, and their vision is blurry, but every day their world comes into focus a bit more.
Their ears are also starting to open, so they begin to react to sounds — sometimes a little startled by a sudden noise, sometimes curious. They’re still wobbly, but now they’re making small attempts to push up on all fours.
Even though they’re starting to notice more around them, they still spend most of their time nursing and sleeping, relying completely on mom for care.
Week 3 – Finding Their Feet
By week three, the puppies are much more mobile. They can walk (in a clumsy, adorable way) and are starting to explore the whelping box instead of just sleeping in a pile.
This is when I really see the first hints of their personalities — one pup might be the first to investigate a new toy, another might hang back and watch. They start interacting with each other more, learning how to “play” — although at this stage it’s mostly paw swipes and tiny growls.
Their baby teeth start coming in now, and they’re more interested in tasting everything (including my fingers!). This is also when I start giving them short, gentle handling sessions with different people to begin early human socialization.
Week 4 – The Big Move
By week four, the Tollers are ready for more space. They graduate from the whelping box into a larger pen where they have room to run, wrestle, and explore. Their eyesight and hearing are sharp now, and their sense of smell is really kicking in.
Mom starts spending a little less time with them, and I introduce their first taste of puppy mush — a mix of high-quality puppy food and warm water. It’s messy (puppies + food = disaster), but they catch on quickly.
This is also the week I start introducing everyday household sounds — the vacuum, clinking dishes, the sound of a door opening. Tollers are curious by nature, and the earlier they hear and see new things, the more confident they’ll be later.
Week 5 – Busy, Busy, Busy
Now we’re in full-blown play mode! Tollers at five weeks are bundles of energy — chasing, pouncing, and starting to tug on toys. They spend more time awake and are eager to interact with me, my family, and visitors.
They’re eating solid puppy food now and nursing only occasionally. They’ve learned to potty on their own, and I start setting up small potty areas to encourage good habits early.
This is also when I start to see those classic Toller expressions — the curious head tilt, the intense focus when they spot something moving, and sometimes even their first attempts at the famous “Toller scream” when they get excited.
Week 6 – Little Adventurers
By six weeks, the puppies are confident on their feet and full of personality. They can see, hear, and smell perfectly, and they’re eager to explore everything.
Their sharp little puppy teeth are all in, so I provide lots of safe chew toys to keep them busy. This is the perfect time to start crate training in short, positive sessions and to take potty training up a notch.
I also introduce them to new experiences — walking on grass, hearing louder noises, meeting gentle children — so they’ll be ready for life outside my home.
Week 7 – Personalities in Full Bloom
By week seven, each Toller pup is unmistakably themselves. Some are bold and adventurous, others more thoughtful and observant. Their play with littermates teaches them important skills like bite inhibition and reading canine body language.
Around this time, many puppies go through their first “fear period,” where they might suddenly be more cautious about new things. That’s why I focus on giving them positive, safe introductions to as many sights and sounds as possible before they leave here.
Week 8 – Ready to Fly the Nest
And just like that, it’s time to say goodbye. At eight weeks, Tollers are confident, playful, and well-prepared for their new homes. They’re fully weaned, have been exposed to a variety of people, environments, and sounds, and have a solid foundation for crate and potty training.
This week is bittersweet — I’ve watched them grow from tiny, blind newborns into bright, bouncy little retrievers, and now they’re ready to start their new adventures with their forever families.
At TNT Tollers, I take pride in making sure each puppy leaves here healthy, well-socialized, and ready to bond with you. By the time you meet your puppy, they’ve already been loved, handled, and given the best possible start in life.