Got one of these fetch sticks to help with my back problems and not having to constantly bend down to pick up the ball. I've never used anything like it but wow, it's like a dream! Depending on how hard you flick it, it can throw the back a decent amount of space! I was kinda skeptical on how hard it would be to grab the ball also but nope. The claw thing the stick has just snaps on and off the ball super easily, just slightly press it onto the ball, and it launches the ball also with minimal effort. Super impressed with this product!⚠️only one recommendation for potential buyers!! ⚠️The ball it comes with is pretty bad, my pupp bit into it for literally just a few seconds and the fuzz material (it's like a tennis ball) immediately started coming off. I would strongly recommend the chuck-it ultra ball 2 pack! It's much more durable, floats, and the rubber is pretty nice too. No puncture marks so far from my puppy's super sharp teeth! (She destroys everything so I'm pleasantly surprised!) I got a medium fetch stick and medium ultra balls size and it fits perfectly, so just buy each the same size and you should be fine!Happy fetching!!??Our Aussie loves to chase balls, and throwers make this so much easier. We ordered this one because delivery was guaranteed the next day. When it indicated it was XL, I assumed this meant the length (which was true), but the ball is also larger and heavier than the normal tennis ball size that comes with others. This means that you can get a LOT more distance with this thrower and you need to be cautious if you do not have a wide-open space. Our dog likes all throwers, but this is her favorite.Having a retriever, this item is essential for our life! I don’t know how we live without it!However it is been unfortunate that the sturdy orange ball that comes with this item does not float. Having a water dog that loves to retrieve things from the water, we were shocked when the orang ball, that has a tennis ball look and feel, sunk to the bottom of the lake. Unfortunately my dog is not a diving dog?Be aware that if you throw this into the water, you may never see it again. And I would love it if the manufacturer would make the ball float. We have lost three of them now because we forget. Just because they look like a tennis ball does not mean they float like a tennis ball?Some of their products come with a rubber like ball, and those also do not float we found out. It would be nice if the package warned you. Once you throw it in the lake, it’s gone?Our dog, George, is a black lab shepherd mix, we call him a leopard? he would retrieve the ball all day every day if we could handle it, this item makes all of us so much happier and healthier. My shoulder would be broken without it????My dog loves to play catch and it was getting to the point where I hated playing catch with him because he would bring back the ball full of slobber. But now with this launcher I can pick up the ball without using my hands and it launches the ball much further then I could have. Great product and my dog loves it too.The actual throwing device is really good. I’m quadriplegic which means I have difficulty using my hands but my dog really loves to play fetch with me and I needed something to help me toss the ball with him. This item works perfectly. My dog is a Rottweiler so he has very strong teeth, the ball however did not last long at all, but I still use the throwing device. I recommend it with the caveat that the ball will not last long if you have a large breed dog.Our puppy loves it. This was the best way to train him to return to us when off his leash; And a test to his ability to catch & fetch.Score!!!I bought a second one for our daughters puppy for his 1st birthday. They love itWe adopted a male mixed lab with a lot of herding instinct and high energy. My arm would tire from throwing a ball for long periods. This throws it far and he spends many hours happily chasing down the ball. I use the chuck it bounce balls so he never knows where it’s going to land because it will bounce a few times. Well worth the purchase.I have two dogs who have endless amounts of energy and love chasing balls. This tool helps tire them out quicker by letting me really launch the ball so they have to run farther (and faster). There's a small learning curve to not accidently throw the ball two feet in front of you, but you'll catch on quick.I've found that I can throw a ball about the distance of a soccer field. With the right ball (I use the Chuck it! max glow ball), you can also throw the ball in a way that it bounces, which my dogs also love.Super easy to transport and keep clean. Highly recommend.Bought to replace one I lost. I have small dogs (Boston Terrier and Shih Tzu and French bulldog). It comes with a 2inch tennis type ball- fluffy coating. It is also ideal size for the 2inch chuckit ultra ball (not supplied) that is made from a durable orange & blue rubber. Practice the correct technique and it will serve you well.Photos for size comparison and also to show the 2inch supplied fluffy ball and the 2 inch ultra ball that you can buy separately.The ball split into half within first 2 minutes! I have a small Cavachon, totally don’t recommend to anyone with a dog of that size or bigger. Maybe it’s suitable for the ones that won’t fit it into their mouths??Really disappointed chuck it! You should be selling those launchers with your other durable balls which so far lasted me 9 months and still going! And not the 2 minutes tennis balls with your logo on it... you’re doing yourself more harm selling this product than good...Anyway, will use the launcher with Chuck it rubber balls as they also fit - luckily! Otherwise I would be returning it. Really guttered that I couldn’t get a launcher with the rubber ball instead.. this one is going straight to the bin, waste.Ah, there was no chewing on the ball, happened while fetching when pressure applied - wow!This little thing is by far the best thing i have bought my pooch this year and i have bought him loads of stuff.I have been using this everyday for around 4 months and it is in as new condition even though my boy has had a good chew at it now and then.My reason for buying this was that i wanted a ball launcher that fitted inside my over the shoulder bag i use when walking my dog.I wasn't expecting to much from this little thing but boy was i surprised when after a day of using it i got the hang of it and could launch a ball over half a football pitch.The chuck it itself is made of hard plastic and is really sturdy, it has survived many an attack from a variety of dogs. I have had the bigger versions you get from the £ shop and believe me when i tell you they are a very cheap imitation. I can get a further throw with this with my left arm than i could with the bigger £ shop ones with my right arm (im right handed).I would recommend this to anyone with a dog that is active and loves to chase balls. The only thing i would say is if you suffer from a bad back and are buying one of these launcher to save you from bending then depending on how bad your back is i would maybe say get the bigger one but make sure it is chuckit! and you won't be disappointed.I also recommend pairing this with the chuck it ultra balls check my review on them to. The also get my seal of approval.Giant thumbs up from me well done again chuckit!Erm er only buy this if you an accurate thrower I mean really accurate thrower I mean borderline Superman/Wonder Woman.Now I am no Supergirl (though it has been suggested ?) but was on the rounders and netball team for my school and would like to think I have reasonably competent hand eye coordination skills being a pianist...However this thrower though small and light and handy to put in a rucksack should you wish to (that was my intention) it’s a little erm er shall we say not very good?I mean it’s ok if you want to entertain the natives by hitting them with the ball each time you aim it into the distance for your dog.Or perhaps you wish to give yourself a black eye or other such delight as the ball decides not to go anywhere but up to the sky.Or maybe you’d like to show your dog how silly you can look (my Retriever Crawford is used to that in fact he’s positively adept at rolling his eyes at me poor lad ?)If you need a small ball launcher that fits in your bag but doesn’t actually work buy this!Otherwise be mindful you may be purchasing something that fills up yet another cupboard full of non entities ???