Dummy launchers

[Selina27]

After watching @Beanwood s video of Bramble demonstrating her beautiful hold and delivery I've decided I'd like to get a dummy launcher to use with Cassie as she is enjoying her retrieving these days.

The obvious choice I think would be Sporting Saints handheld launcher pack, but does anyone have any advice or information on any other makes or suppliers? Is it something that I could use effectively when I'm on my own?

 

[snowbunny]

I have a Sporting Saint hand-held launcher and it's OK as an introductory thing but is very limited ... and LOUD with a massive kick-back, so you have to treat it with respect.

I bought an iLauncher a while back, which is far more useful as you can use it remotely, send out multiple dummies at once, or one at a time... I only have the two shot with the adapters which allow me to turn each "shooter" into a double shot. It's a fun, well-made piece of kit, and very quiet.

 

[Selina27]

Thanks Fiona I will look at that, fun is what we're after!

 

[Beanwood]

Second that! When I save up some pennies I am hoping to invest in a ilauncher!

The other thing you can practice with is a dummy throw combined with shot with a starter pistol.

 

[Stacia]

@Selina27, with a dummy launcher you may get a very excitable dog who runs in! Also you might need to ask permission to use it on private land and not sure what the police rules are now? And yes, it has a hell of a kick and you will need ear defenders There is a quieter one that fires tennis balls.

 

[snowbunny]

you will need ear defenders

Haha, yes! I use the squishy ear plugs which are fine, but if you happen to forget one, your ears will ring!!

There is a quieter one that fires tennis balls.

I have an attachment "Ball Boy" for my hand-held launcher. It deadens the sound a little and makes it more of a popping noise than a crack. I used it very successfully as part of Willow's desensitisation plan. But it still uses a blank shell, so there may be some requirements for permissions etc if you're not on your own land. The iLauncher uses compressed air, so you don't have those same issues.