When choosing, you'll need to decide whether a manual thrower or an automatic ball launcher is right for you. Start this process by rewarding (never apply force or negative reinforcement) your dog when the ball gets dropped close to/around the launcher.

These are a type of dog ball launcher that you are likely already very familiar with and will have seen clutched in the grip of nearly every other dog walker at your local park. Don’t worry too much though, as each launcher comes with a free ball to ensure it’s ready to use from the moment of purchase! Overall, it's a popular premium option for dog owners who enjoy keeping their hands free while walking back from the park.A kind of long plastic slingshot, they require some slight effort to use but can fling a ball over 100 feet once you’ve got the knack, far further than the average arm! You can set it for nine different distances and six different angles, which all affect where the ball is thrown. It fits any standard-sized tennis ball, but not be surprised if he prefers the included Nerf ball, which has a built-in squeaker. The Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster Toy (version 2018) is the best manual dog ball launcher for anyone looking for a snazzier design. From silicone and bristle brushes for short hair to grooming gloves, slickers and combs - this article will help with your decision.

One reviewer mentioned, "he has been playing with it indoors and outdoors almost every day two hours in total for the past five months. While 20 metres is still a fair way, it's considered minimal when compared to the distances manual throwers are likely to dish up for your dog.Coming in a variety of styles (original blaster only, original with Hydrosport ball, original with LED glow ball, and original with distance tennis ball), the dog toy is ideal for the ultimate outdoor game of fetch. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Reinforce the full process with your dog (throw-and-fetch) to get your dog comfortable with walking back to the machine after collecting a ball. While catapult models have long been on the market, dog ball launchers are now advancing all the time, meaning you can play fetch with a firearm or avoid playing altogether thanks to handy automatic, interactive toys!

Find how you can enjoy the magazine delivered to your door every week, plus options to upgrade your subscription to access our online service that brings you breaking news and reports as well as other benefits. Dogs get bored chasing a ball that goes roughly the same distance each time, so changing things up helps keep the game fun. Six angle options and nine distance settings mean you can create a wide range of throwing patterns based on your dog’s abilities and the available play space. Compatible with any standard tennis ball, this lightweight and easy to carry bazooka can fire balls up to 50ft away but also allows you to dial things back for smaller dogs!

Similar to any routine puppy training, introducing an automatic ball launcher may require some getting used to. The smaller iFetch is best reserved for small breed dogs, since it's smaller diameter ball could represent a choking hazard for a large dog. And, depending on where you are and how far you want to launch the ball, you can adjust the distance. This is a durable gadget which launches tennis balls into mid-air for more than 15 meters, sending your dog happily chasing them at top speeds.

There are mini and max versions to suit the size of dog, and both range of launching distance and the ball size varies with each machine. In many ways, the best ball launcher of the bunch depends on the size and breed of dog you have, plus whether you prefer an automatic or handheld launcher.The Nerf Dog Tennis Ball Blaster has an advertised range of 50 feet, though anyone familiar with Nerf blaster toys knows that they rarely achieve their maximum range. Which type of dog ball launcher you choose is very much dependent on how much effort you want to exert when playing fetch with your mutt! Grooming your dog is an important part of their regular care routine, to keep them happy and healthy. For a large, active breed, you’ll find the geography of the play space matters more than the max launch distance (for example, the size of the park or yard). So save your energy for more active fun with your treasured pet, and consider purchasing a product that will launch the ball for you.