REMOTE LAUNCHERS

Remote-controlled launchers have become very popular over the past few years, and here at Tarncrag

I use an air-compressed model made by a British company called Ilauncher (ilauncher.co.uk). You can also get blank-firing models. The advantage of these remote launchers is that if you train on your own you can fire the dummy away from your position and this teaches the dog to look forward as it would in a picking-up situation. The air-compressor models are quieter and can be used anywhere, and though they do not have the shot sound, this can be introduced by using a starting pistol to shoot at the dummy as it is launched. Most remote launchers can be fired from anything up to 200m away from the operator, so they give you plenty of training scenario options. However, they are obviously more expensive than a handheld type.