Product Review: Dogtra Ball Trainer
“Our training of detection dogs hasn’t fundamentally changed a ton in the last 15, 20, or 30 years. There are some basic systems, but…with the help of clear systems, we can fundamentally change the way these dogs operate. And we create better detection dogs—clear and simple.”
That’s Jason Purgason, President of Highland Canine Training LLC, located out of North Carolina. I spoke with him a bit ago in regards to a new dog training tool launched in March 2018.
Their philosophy on dog training centers around positive reinforcement. When a dog behaves in a certain way, they reward that behavior with payment. While I’m no expert in dog training—let alone K-9 training—from what I understand this is the core of getting your dog to learn the job needed of them. Whether that the simple “sit”, the complicated detection of narcotic substances, or more importantly the correct narcotic substance, rewarding good behavior is the key building block in the creation of connecting the right synapses in that dog’s brain.
Soon enough, they’ll key and behave exactly as they are trained. So, basically, make sure you’re using the right tools, the right way, in a well-thought-out plan.
Dogtra, producers of e-collars and dog training products, developed the Ball Trainer with the intention of providing a versatile tool in a straight-forward design all while keeping it as affordable as possible. At an MSRP of $399.99, this wasn’t meant to be a fun toy for the backyard. A quick search on the internet can find plenty of COTS devices with some report being able to launch a ball 30 feet away. I think I saw a few with a large enough “bucket” for the pet to put the ball back into the machine to continue its enrichment.
Though, launching the ball so far away can be counter-intuitive to the work done in training a detection K-9. “We don’t want [the ball] launching up too far,” explains Purgason. “In training, we have the dogs focused on that odor and close to it. We don’t’ want to take them away too far away.”
The Dogtra Ball Trainer has a dual purpose by being able to launch a ball as well as drop. The user manual reports it launching a ball “up to 5 feet in the air.” However, using the provided green Dogtra balls, my tests set that to a consistent 4.5-foot mark from the top of the device. The launch does have a bit of a kick and abrupt “thum” sound, but Bear, my 8-year old German Shepherd didn’t care much—he had a ball to catch.
COTS “toys” aside, there are a number of professional ball launchers and ball droppers available, however, few are able to do both in one unit.
Loading the launcher is intuitive. You push a single 2.6-inch (diameter) ball down into the launcher side of the device until a solid click. Note, modern regulation tennis balls are wider than this. Be sure which before purchasing that bulk box from Amazon.
The drop side allows for two balls to fit inside, three with the sleeve extended. A small metal arm inside the tube quickly retracts into the machine and returns out again releasing one ball at a time. These arms move when you launch as well, so if you have a ball in the drop side it will drop at the same time. Inversely, if you have a ball loaded in the launcher, it won’t fly when you have it set to drop.
A manual switch on the device sets the action. Each side is clearly labeled by a shiny black on a matte black design. If you look closely at the matching black switch, you’ll see a red background to offer a redundant indication. This isn’t overtly viewable to help keep the device disguised from the dog while allowing you to know setting.
The Dogtra Ball Trainer receiver runs on six AA 1.5-volt Alkaline batteries. No special batteries. No recharging kit. No micro-USB port. Use a standard “flat-head” screwdriver or coin to release a battery holder and carefully replace the pack to not break the wiring.
I explain this though you won’t need to do swap them out all that often; Dogtra reports it will be able to “execute 20,000 launches with one battery life.” Forgive me for not testing this claim. Purgason explains that in their initial testing, they spent time pushing the ball in and launching as long as they could. Their thumb got sore, they quit counting and yet it continued to launch. A green LED blinks every 5 seconds indicating it’s on and a battery saver function shuts itself off after 3 hours of non-use.
Triggering the system is done by a wireless remote (the transmitter, powered by two AA 1.5 volt Alkaline batteries). There is no release on the receiver itself. Three small Phillips screws hold to seal the remote’s batteries. The case comes with an optional belt clip and lanyard. An LED light on the remote changes color to report battery life.
Capable of controlling up to 8 different Ball Trainers, you are able to code each receiver to a single transmitter—allowing you to set a complex course up for your K-9 and keep up to 100 yards away. It’s black, small, fits in your hand nicely and buttons are individually accessible even with thick winter gloves. The remote is about 4.5 inches long, 2 inches wide, a tad over 0.75 inches thick and weighs 3.9 ounces with batteries installed. This was small enough to trigger the receiver without the signaling my dog.
Combined with its 100-yard range, this system seems like it was designed to keep itself out of the way of training as much as possible.
Purgason explains that his company uses the Ball Trainer to reward actions and behaviors to make sure those are as consistent as possible. My time with the device had my dog figure out where the ball was going to come from within a few launches. He then began pawing at it to get the ball. It took a few little scuff marks but was strong enough to not break when he knocked it around to get the ball loose.
To ensure training is as effective as possible, Purgason’s Highland Canine Training hides the receiver. Dogtra supplies a Training Box Set for $39.99 which includes a single box made out of fluted polypropylene sheets designed to fit the receiver and one glass scent container for detection training. The box and container can be purchased separately. It may take some clever cutting, but you can also create your own with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) boxes—lightweight cardboard boxes tend to not keep their place due to the launcher’s kick.
The receiver itself is 6.25 inches tall (add 2.25 inches with the dropper extender), about 9 inches long and 4 inches wide. Seven small knobs on the bottom help keep it standing upright with an eighth underneath the launcher for support. There’s a strap that connects to the sides allowing it to hang roughly 15 inches. With the six batteries installed, it weighs 2 pounds and 15.6 ounces.
“This is a really good tool for training and shaping reliable detection dogs,” says Purgason. “[It makes] it more clear for the dog to know what we’re expecting of them.”
Dogtra has a motto, “make every dog exceptional.” While every dog is amazing in my eye, the Ball Trainer definitely will help further their skills.
You can find more information about Highland Canine Training LLC through their police/law enforcement site at TacticalPoliceK9Training.com.
Jonathan Kozlowski
Jonathan Kozlowski was with Officer.com, Law Enforcement Technology, and Law Enforcement Product News from August 2006 to 2020.
As former Managing Editor for Officer Media Group, he brought a dedicated focus to the production of the print publications and management of the Officer.com online product and company directory. You can connect with Jonathan through LinkedIn.
Jonathan participated as a judge for the 2019 and 2020 FOLIO: Eddie & Ozzie Awards. In 2012, he received an APEX Award of Excellence in the Technology & Science Writing category for his article on unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in police work, aptly titled "No Runway Needed".