About Dog Ball Launcher — and the trainer behind it

Why this site exists

I got tired of reading product reviews written by people who’d never actually tested a launcher with a dog. Most “best of” articles in the UK are affiliate spam — same five products, same generic blurbs, no idea whether the thing actually works on a 15 lb cocker spaniel or a 40 lb border collie.

Dog Ball Launcher is the opposite. One product, properly tested, honestly written about. We don’t sell what we wouldn’t put in front of our own dogs.

Who I am

I’m Sarah Mitchell, IMDT-qualified dog trainer and behaviourist based in Brighton, East Sussex.

After 6 years working in communications, I retrained in 2017 and qualified through the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers in 2018 — the gold-standard UK certification, recognised by the Animal Behaviour & Training Council (ABTC). Since then, I’ve worked with over 400 owners through 1-to-1 sessions across Brighton and Hove, group classes, and remote video consultations covering the whole of the UK.

My approach is strictly force-free — no choke chains, no aversive tools — aligned with PPG (Pet Professional Guild) and APDT UK guidelines. I’ve been testing canine accessories with my clients since 2018 and I publish hands-on reviews on this blog.

The automatic ball launcher I recommend here is the 7th model I’ve tested in the field, after rejecting more than 80 references on the UK market for one of three reasons: choking risk on small breeds, dead batteries every fortnight, or distances too short for a real garden.

My credentials

IMDT Member 2018 — Institute of Modern Dog Trainers
ABTC-Registered Animal Trainer (United Kingdom)
Member of the Pet Professional Guild UK
Continuing education 2021: canine behaviour with Dr Ian Dunbar
Force-free certified — APDT UK 2019
Contributor to Dogs Today Magazine since 2022
400+ owners coached (Brighton + remote across the UK)
80+ canine accessories tested over 8 years

My dogs

I live in Brighton with my two dogs:

Iris, a 6-year-old border collie — Dogs Trust rescue, 2019. Mid-drive border, the perfect tester for fetch products.
Mocha, a 4-year-old working cocker spaniel. Endless energy, jaw built for 2-inch balls, mid-distance specialist.

Both have been on the launcher daily for 6 months. Both are still here, healthy, and bored less often than they used to be.

Why we picked this specific launcher

After testing 80+ ball launchers between 2018 and 2025, I shortlisted four UK-available models for the small/medium segment. The criteria were brutal:

Three distances — anything less is useless or dangerous depending on context
Infrared safety sensor with a 6-foot detection radius — non-negotiable for keen fetchers
USB-C rechargeable — D-cell battery models cost £35/year and end up in landfill
2-inch ball format — the only safe size for jaws under 55 lbs
Quiet enough — under 65 dB to avoid spooking sound-sensitive breeds
2-year warranty + UK email support — because launchers do fail and you shouldn’t be left chatting to a US chatbot

This launcher is the only model that ticked all six. We negotiated direct supply with the manufacturer to be able to ship it in the UK with proper warranty support.

Our promise

Honest content first: if a launcher isn’t right for your dog, the article will tell you to look elsewhere — not push you to buy
Real testers, real dogs: every claim on this site has been validated by 220 UK beta testers across 6 months
UK customer service: email reply within 24 hours, not a Trustpilot ghost
30-day money back, no questions: if your dog doesn’t take to it, you ship it back free

Get in touch

Email contact@dog-ball-launcher.co.uk — I read everything personally and reply within 24 hours on weekdays.

If you want training help with your own dog (in or around Brighton, or remote video calls), my training website is linked at the bottom of this page.

— Sarah Mitchell