You get bored of fetch before your dog does. Every single time.
Twenty minutes in, your arm hurts, the ball is covered in slobber, and there is a dog in front of you who has not even started to tire. You stop because you have run out of patience, not because they have run out of energy — and then they spend the evening pacing.
FetchBot removes you from the loop. Your dog drops the ball into the cup on top, the machine sends it out across the room, and a treat lands in the tray as the reward. Then they bring it back and do it again.
Why it actually works
The treat teaches the return. This is the clever part. Most dogs will chase a ball but not reliably bring it back — the food reward at the drop-off point is what makes the loop close by itself.
They learn it themselves. Load it, drop the ball in once or twice while they watch, and most dogs work out the sequence within a session.
Two modes. Run it as a launcher, or as a plain treat dispenser on days when hurling a ball around the living room is not on.
It does not get tired. Which is the entire reason you are reading this.
Straight talk
It needs teaching. A handful of dogs get it in five minutes; most need a few short sessions with you dropping the ball in for them first. If you set it down and expect a dog to solve it unaided, you will both be disappointed.
Supervise it, especially early on. A determined dog will try to get the treats out the fast way, and this is a machine rather than a chew toy.
Give it space. A ball launcher needs a clear run — point it away from the television and anything breakable.
Ration the treats. Every rep dispenses food, and an enthusiastic dog can put away a surprising amount in twenty minutes. Use part of their daily allowance rather than extra on top.
Specifications
Automatic ball launcher with treat reward tray
Two modes: launcher, or treat dispenser
Tennis ball sized
For supervised play