Product Review: Scratch 'N Squeak Ball Launcher

Scratch 'N Squeak sent us a Scratch 'N Squeak Ball Launcher, and it's everything I hoped it would be! It scratches, it squeaks, it launches tennis balls, and it does all of these things quite nicely. This is a tennis ball launcher with a squeaker in the handle, and grooming bristles on the back so you can give your dog a good brushdown after you play. It is currently available in three colors, and fits standard tennis balls.

It Squeaks!

We've destroyed a lot of squeakers around here, so I had some concerns about this one. Sometimes they're just built flimsy, and they give out in a few squeaks. Happily, the Scratch N' Squeak contains a nice, hefty squeaker that won't just fall apart. 

Why put a squeaker on a ball launcher? Because some dogs aren't natural retrievers, and need a little encouragement to bring the ball all the way back. The squeaker can help keep you dog focused on you, and the game, instead of the awesome ball they just captured.

It Throws!

I've been launching tennis balls with the same blue Chuckit for 17 years now, so I was eager to compare the performance of the Scratch 'N Squeak. This one's a bit shorter and doesn't launch the ball quite as far, but it also works in my smallish yard and doesn't have to be stored like a piece of sporting equipment. 

The circular ball compartment means I can also pick up and launch other toys with it. The Dogegg works if I balance it right. The Wox flops nicely over the end.

 It Grooms!

If you've used a ball launcher and then not scratched your dog's back with it, you're probably doing it wrong. This one goes step further with grooming bristles along the back. You can have a nice game of fetch, and then brush some loose hair off your dog in the great outdoors where you wont have to sweep it up. 

Pros

• Allows you to pick up and throw tennis balls and other 2.7" balls without touching their slobbery wetness
• Tough and durable squeaker built into the handle for building excitement
• Brush bristles allow for a quick groom while on the beach or at the park
• Long enough to throw balls a long way, short enough to fit comfortably in a bag or backpack
• I am significantly less likely to whack people nearby with this thing (may not be true for everybody)

Cons

• Currently only launches standard tennis balls, large and small sizes are not out yet.

Bottom Line

I love the amount of innovation that went into designing the Sns launcher. It was clearly developed by people who used existing products and went, "you know what would make this even better?" We haven't been doing much with standard tennis balls lately after learning about some unfortunate choking incidents, but I am thrilled to know that a large size is in the works. I can't wait to see this product in stores!

The Scratch N' Squeak Dog Ball Launcher

I just found out about the Scratch N' Squeak, and it's so cool I have to share. This is basically an outdoor multi-tool for your dog. It's a ball launcher with a squeaker and a brush built in. It's brilliant!

Photo by Erin Koski

Bring On the Fetch!

Godzilla is absolutely the Queen of Fetch, but Zip isn't always enthusiastic about bringing the ball back. My dearly departed Brisbane was even worse, he would chase the ball down, bite it thoroughly, and then stand there waiting for me to catch up. "My work here is done." 

Obviously the creators of Scratch N' Squeak have had a similar experience, because they built a squeaker into the handle of their ball launcher. Nothing amps my dogs up like a squeaky toy, and they can't run off with this one! Throw the ball, let them get it, and then squeak-squeak-squeak to help encourage them to bring it back again.

Scratchety-Scratch

If you own a Chuckit or similar ball launcher, you've probably used it to scratch a dog before. It's kinda shaped like a back scratcher, right? Not every dog is thrilled with the idea of being rubbed with the instrument-o-fetch, but we've met plenty of dogs on the beach that didn't mind some tool-assisted petting.

Scratch N' Squeak is even better for petting dogs, because it has a contoured brush built in. Rather than just scratching your dog's rump, you can actually pull some loose hair off of him while you're enjoying the outdoors. It's perfect when your pup is resting after a game of fetch. 

If your dog is anything like Zip and Godzilla, they get excited as soon as they see a ball launcher, even if there isn't a ball in sight. I'm pretty excited about the Scratch N' Squeak myself. It's currently available for pre-order, and I'm looking forward to the one for larger-diameter balls that will hopefully be coming out next. 

Where's the Fetch?

A few years ago I saw this product online, and was amazed. Originally known as the iFetch, now sold as the Fetch'n'Treat, this is supposed to be a dog-powered tennis ball launcher. Sounds amazing, right? Your dog just has to drop the ball in the hole at the top, and it will come shooting out the side.

Photo by Erin Koski

At the time, all my dog friends were sure this would be amazing. A ball launcher that didn't require batteries or power, that would perpetually toss the ball for our ball-crazy beasts. Then we found out how it really works.

This isn't a ball launcher for your fetch-obsessed pup. It's a food-dispensing puzzle toy. Even though it's sold as a ball launcher, it doesn't actually do anything other than send the ball rolling slowly across the floor.

Photo by Erin Koski

The original iFetch, now the Fetch-N-Treat, dispenses food when a ball is dropped in the top. Most of the time. Probably. I actually had a difficult time getting it to dispense reliably, it's pretty unpredictable.

This toy concept works ok for food-motivated dogs. Mine are also quite ball-crazy, and far more interested in the possibility of a ball throw than in this thingy that occasionally drops food. It's not motivating enough for them to keep dropping the ball in though, because it doesn't actually launch anything. Roll the ball and maybe get some kibble occasionally? No thanks.

Happily, in the years since this disappointment hit the scene, the iFetch company has developed some actual powered fetch machines.