Our Australian Cattle dog Rocket is OBSESSED with ball catching.  We have a long ball launcher at home which we use several times a day.  I ordered this shorter launcher to bring it in my bag for off-leash dog park.  When Rocket starts to herd other dogs or bark excessivly, I whip out the launcher and assign him the job of getting the ball.  It solved all the dog behavior problem.  Great product, very sturdy.  Yes I do have to bend over a bit but it's short enough to hide in my bag.