After Use & Maintenance

The balls will last longer if you don't let your dog chew any after use. The sling itself isn't a toy for the dog to play with, so make sure that you put it away after use in a dry place. 

If the sling is damp after use, let it dry out naturally, rather than force dry it. In particular do not let any of its components come into close contact with a naked flame or significant heat, as this will damage it. If left to dry naturally, it should dry out sufficiently before you next use it, but if it is damp it’s performance is unlikely to be effected if you wish to continue using it. If the Sloofa has been used for throwing snowballs it will get saturated after prolonged use, so it should be left to dry out before you use it again, but you could get over this by having a spare Sloofa. Occasionally you may want to wash the sling and this can be done in a washing machine, but should you wish to keep the cords attached, ensure that you secure it within a net or mesh washing bag, to stop the cords from snagging on the appliance and getting damaged. Alternatively, detach the cords before washing the sling. Having an extra sling, ensures that you have still got one to play with while the other is being washed or drying out.

Its good practice when using the Sloofa to throw balls for a dog to use your foot to roll the ball in the grass to remove any excess slobber before picking it up. Some like to use two balls for that reason, so while the dog is retrieving one of them, it gives you a chance to roll off any slobber from the other ball. The other advantage of using two balls is when your dog has a tendency to keep the ball, and the appearance of the spare ball usually results in the dog releasing the one he/she is holding.

 

Sloofa- Adjustments for minor problems

Prior to using the Sloofa, it is good practice to ensure that everything is functioning properly and to check it periodically as well. Usually there are no problems, but occasionally it may be necessary to deal with the following minor problems:-

• The constant (rotational) use of the sling may result in the retaining cord getting slightly twisted. To correct this, simply hold the retaining cord only, and lift the Sloofa away from the ground, to enable the twist in the cord to unravel until it stops. It will then be ready to use again, until it needs untwisting again. There is no need to put the ball into the Sloofa when this is done.

• Cord loop in the retaining cord starts to tighten around your finger- if the loop happens to start tightening around your finger it is important to correct this, as it can be quite painful to continue throwing the sling should that happen, and if it tightens too much it makes it harder to remove the cord. Remake the loop as suggested below. Note- this knot should not be made as a slip knot only, as it will happen again. Remake with the stopper knot.

• One of the cords becomes detached from the sling - Re-attach the cord back onto the sling using the suggested knot. If this happens frequently, the washers (optional) could be fitted as these will secure the cord better and cope with the shock loading better.

• Check all of the knots and loops periodically to ensure that they are all secure and knots are properly made.

• Check the webbing around the eyelets periodically. During use, the cord does exert pressure on the eyelets which in turn can cause them to pull through the webbing. If you suspect that this is occurring, use a washer to strengthen that area. Any washer will help, but they will be available to purchase on this website in the near future. In the absence of any washer, use a lighter ball, which should prolong the life of the sling, but only for a limited time. If the eyelet does fail, it will be necessary to replace the Sloofa.

• Ball releasing prematurely or erratically – check that you are holding it correctly and the cords, to see if they need adjustment to keep the ball level. The cord or cords may well have stretched outside of the optimum length, and they may need replacing but try reducing their length first of all. If the cords are too long (even if new) it will affect its performance. 

• There may also be a tendency for taller people to adjust the length of the cords to suit their height but this isn’t recommended as its throwing reliability will be impaired by doing so. If this continues to be a problem, reduce the length of the cords until it throws reliably.

• Ball/sling hitting the ground when throwing it - reduce the length of both cords, by changing the knot position on the release cord and the loop on the retaining cord. When a ball is cradled within the sling and the throwers arm is held at one's side, there should be about 125mm of clearance from the ground, but keep adjusting if necessary.
• Ball doesn't release from the sling - the ball does not need to be pushed firmly and securely into the sling as this would prevent it from being launched. Check the stitching of the sling to see if it is damaged. Another possible reason for this, is that incompatible cords have been fitted onto the Sloofa, and have replaced the original cords. Obtain replacement cords if necessary.