What the hell is wrong with these things lately.  I bought three new Chuckits in different price ranges, and I've had problems with them all. My old dog chewed beat up one works great. All my new ones, when I "chuck it", the ball gets driven into the ground. I've used my old one for years, the new one,  I just smacked my poor six month old German Shepherd right in the eye, poor thing. I had to hold an ice bag on his eye. I HATE these new ones.  I don't recall having to "break in" any new chuckits before. I'm so fed up with these things right now I vow not to ever buy this brand again.