Owner's Manual

8 Customer Care Center 1-800-732-2677 www.petsafe.net 9
• Launching indoors: For best use indoors, use the lowest angle and distance setting. Increase angle and
distance at user's own risk.
• Use on a level surface, or close to a level surface. Using on an unlevel surface could cause the unit to tip.
Use on the ground or floor only.
•
If power is lost during play, unplug power adapter and replace, then turn power back on, or remove
batteries and replace, then turn power back on. Always use fresh batteries.
• NEVER allow your dog to retrieve or place the ball into the ball launch pocket from the front. Only return
the ball to the hopper.
• When the unit is powered on, the dog may initiate play at any time. After 15 minutes of continuous play,
the machine will rest for 15 minutes. The machine will beep to let the dog know it is awake and ready
to play again. If a dog or person does not initiate play, the machine will sleep and wait for the next play
session.
Training Guide
If your dog seems anxious or afraid (i.e. cowers or moves away from the launcher, barks at the launcher etc.)
of the sounds the launcher makes, you’ll want to introduce it to him slowly. Grab some delicious treats and
a clicker if you have it. Start by placing the machine in the area with it turned o. Let your dog notice and
approach the launcher by his own choice. When your dog looks at the machine, click your clicker or say “Yes!”
and give him a treat. Do this multiple times. You should also click your clicker or say “Yes!” if he walks towards
the launcher or interacts with it.
When your dog seems comfortable around the launcher when it is turned o, place the machine further away
from him and turn it on without any balls in it. The launcher should beep a few times. When it beeps, click or
say “Yes!” and give him a treat. Do this several times until he looks comfortable and seems relaxed. Repeat this
when he is moves closer to the launcher.
The final step is to get your dog comfortable with the unit launching the ball. Because the launching sound can
be a little loud, this might be the part your dog is most anxious about. Keep the machine in the other room or
further away in the yard. Have someone else place the ball in the machine and when the ball launches, click
your clicker or say “Yes!” and deliver tasty treats. Do this several times.
So your dog loves to play fetch? The Ball Launcher will keep your ball-crazy pup happy and busy whether you
have the time to play with him or not!
Most dogs that love to fetch are usually great at chasing the ball, catching it and carrying it. Some aren’t great at
releasing it. Teaching your dog to release the ball just takes a little practice. This will also aid in teaching him to
release the ball into the Ball Launcher hopper where it will be launched again.
Teach a Trade and Drop
• Safety first! – Never pull something out of your dog’s mouth or possession. Teach a reliable drop it/trade to
ensure safety.
• You will need a ball and some very tasty treats in a treat pouch or your pocket.
• The game starts when you initiate it by offering the ball, saying “Take It”.
• Once they take the ball, cue the dog to “Drop” and follow the cue with an offer of one of the tasty treats.
This is the trade!
• Let them finish the treat
• Reengage them by cueing “Take it” and offer the ball
• Repeat the “Drop” cue and when they drop the ball offer the treat.
• Practice until the dog is consistently dropping the ball into your hand.
• Use the same steps above to transfer the “Drop” into the Ball Launcher instead of your hand.
• Place your hand over the hopper a few times using the “Drop” cue and rewarding him until the dog is
comfortable dropping the ball into the hopper. Once the dog learns the release you can fade the treats as
the opportunity to fetch the ball becomes the reward!
Frequently Asked Questions
How many balls can be
loaded into the hopper at
once?
• No more than three at a time. It is recommended to load one at
a time for use during independant play, or when launching on
higher settings.
How big are the tennis balls?
•
Standard tennis balls are 2 5/8" diameter.
How far does the launcher
shoot the balls and at what
angle?
•
There are 9 distance settings and 6 angle settings. Depending on
which settings you use, the Ball Launcher will shoot the balls up
to 30 feet and between 20°-45°.
Can I use the Ball Launcher
indoors and outdoors?
•
Yes! The Ball Launcher is specifically designed to be used indoors
and outdoors with multiple distance and angle settings.
What sizes of dog can use the
machine?
•
If the dog is capable of picking up a standard tennis ball and dropping
it into the machine, they should be able to use the Ball Launcher. The
hopper is
11" from the ground.
How many dogs can use the
Ball Launcher at once?
• There is no limit to how many dogs can use the Ball Launcher at one
time, however, the game of fetch may be more enjoyable with 3 or
less dogs playing at once.
How far should my dog
stand back from the machine
before the ball launches?
• The motion sensor detects movement from up to 7 feet away. Your
dog should be standing behind that distance or to the side of the
launch pocket area, out of view of the motion sensor.
Will the Ball Launcher turn
o automatically?
• No, however, the Ball Launcher will go to sleep after 15 minutes of
play. It will then rest for 15 minutes and cycle through another 15
minutes. This continues until the power button is turned o.
Will my dog know when
to stop playing and take a
break?
• Fortunately, the Ball Launcher is equipped with safety settings that
prevent a dog from overworking themselves. The machine will play
for 15 minutes, then rest for 15 minutes.
1'
Blind
Zone
Motion
Sensor
7'
The motion sensor
detects movement
from up to 7 feet
away. Your dog
should be standing
behind that distance.
Motion detected will
pause the machine
for 5 seconds