FetchMate™ Automatic Dog Ball Launcher 6 balls with Classic 2" or Upgraded 2.28" ball versions| Ultimate Dog Toy

No. Each version takes one specific ball size and standard tennis balls are too large for the launch chute. The Classic takes balls 48 to 50mm in diameter and the Upgraded takes ETPU balls 54 to 58mm (2.13 to 2.28 inches). Six balls are supplied with each version. Using the wrong size will jam the launch pocket.

Pick the Classic for small to medium dogs and indoor or compact spaces: it takes 48 to 50mm balls and launches 10, 20 or 30 feet. Pick the Upgraded for medium to large dogs and open outdoor space: it takes 54 to 58mm ETPU balls and launches 19, 32 or 45 feet. The Upgraded also has a random distance mode that varies the throw between all three settings.

Choose the Upgraded FetchMate for large breeds. Its 54 to 58mm ETPU balls suit larger mouths and its 45 foot maximum throw gives a big dog a real run. The Classic's 48 to 50mm balls are sized for small to medium dogs. As with any ball toy, never use a ball small enough to fit fully behind your dog's back teeth, and supervise play.

No. Neither version has a motion or obstacle sensor. The light on the front is a status indicator, not a safety sensor: it flashes red when a ball is inside or being launched and shows green when the launcher is empty. Because the machine cannot detect what is in front of it, always position it so it fires away from where your dog and other people stand.

It can happen, because the FetchMate has no sensor to stop it firing when something is in front. Dogs often stand right at the chute while they are learning. Aim the launcher away from where your dog waits, start on the lowest distance setting, and if your dog crowds the front, raise the unit onto a low table or step so the ball launches over their head. Watch the indicator light, which flashes red when a ball is about to launch.

No. It fires each time a ball is dropped into the hole on top, one ball at a time, so there is no timer to set. On the Classic the ball launches about 5 seconds after it goes in, and you wait for the internal roller to stop before dropping the next one. On the Upgraded the ball launches with no delay and the next ball can go in after about 4 seconds.

Both versions fire whenever a ball is dropped in, so a dog that learns to drop the ball can run the game alone. Start by dropping the ball in yourself while your dog watches, so they connect the drop with the launch. Next, hold a ball over the opening and reward your dog for touching or mouthing it. Then reward them for releasing the ball into the hole from your hand, and finally from the ground beside the machine. Most dogs pick it up in a few short sessions.

Used sensibly they are fine, but unlimited high-speed fetch can strain joints and encourage obsessive behaviour. Vets and canine physiotherapists advise short sessions, a warm up first, soft surfaces such as grass where possible, and ending the game before your dog is exhausted. With the FetchMate, start on the shortest distance setting, keep sessions to roughly 10 to 15 minutes, and stop the game yourself rather than letting your dog decide.

The usual cause is a wet, slobbery, dirty or damaged ball, since moisture and grit reduce grip on the drive rollers. Wipe balls dry between throws, rotate through the six supplied balls so each has time to dry, and retire any ball that is split or badly chewed. If a ball jams in the launch pocket, switch the unit off before removing it, and never put your hand into the pocket while it is powered on.

It has most likely gone into standby. Both versions power down automatically after about 30 minutes without use, even with the bottom switch still on, which saves battery. Hold the Distance Setting button for 3 seconds to wake it up. If the indicator is solid red the battery is below 25 percent and the unit will shut down on its own, so recharge it and restart with the ON/OFF button.

No. Neither version will operate while plugged in. Charge it fully, unplug the cable, then start your session. Use a 5V 2A to 3A adapter with the supplied USB-A to USB-C cable.

The Upgraded gives about 5 to 6 hours of play from a full charge, which takes about 6 hours with a 5V 2A adapter. Both versions charge over USB-C and show battery level through the indicator light: red is below 25 percent, yellow is 25 to 90 percent, and green is above 90 percent. A blinking light means it is charging.

The Classic suits indoor play well on its 10 foot setting. The Upgraded is designed for outdoor use because it throws much further, so indoors you should keep it on Distance 1, which is 19 feet, and only in a long clear space such as a hallway. Clear fragile items from the launch path either way.

The supplied balls are softer than a regulation tennis ball, which is gentler on developing and ageing teeth. Keep sessions short and stay on the lowest distance setting for both puppies and seniors, since repeated sprinting and sudden turns are hard on growing joints and arthritic ones. Supervise play and remove any ball that starts to break apart. If your dog has a joint, heart or breathing condition, check with your vet first.

No. Do not use it in rain or snow, do not pour water onto it, and do not leave it outdoors. Wipe it with a dry or slightly damp cloth and never submerge it. Wet or dirty balls should not be fed into the machine either, because moisture affects the drive rollers and shortens the throw.

Yes. Replacement balls are sold in packs of six for both versions: 48mm for the Classic and 58mm for the Upgraded. Keeping spares means you can rotate balls so each has time to dry between throws, which is the simplest way to avoid jams and short launches.