Some dogs need to move more than one household can reasonably supply, and the afternoon lull between walks is where the trouble usually starts. A ball that rolls and darts about on its own gives them something to chase without anyone throwing it, which is genuinely useful if you are working, cooking, or simply not able to get down on the floor for a game.

The movement comes from a motor inside a sealed textured shell. That texture does two jobs at once: it gives the ball enough grip to change direction on hard floors and short carpet, and it gives a dog something to get their mouth around without the ball squirting straight out again. Because the motion is unpredictable rather than a straight line, dogs read it as prey rather than as an object, which is what holds their interest past the first minute or two.

• Motorised, rolls and changes direction on its own
• Textured shell for grip and for mouthing
• Works on hard floors and short carpet
• Hands-free play for when you cannot join in
• Two colours, orange or sky blue

This is a supervised toy. There is a motor and a battery inside a plastic shell, so it is not one to leave with a dog who dismantles things, and it should not be left running unattended in another room.

Who it's for: High-energy dogs who need topping up between walks, and owners looking for a way to keep them moving without standing there with a ball thrower.