diff --git a/src/duckhuntbot.py b/src/duckhuntbot.py
index d28922a..6867459 100644
--- a/src/duckhuntbot.py
+++ b/src/duckhuntbot.py
@@ -572,7 +572,12 @@ class DuckHuntBot:
         """Handle bot commands with enhanced error handling and input validation"""
         try:
             # Validate input parameters
-            if not isinstance(message, str) or not message.startswith('!'):
+            if not isinstance(message, str):
+                return
+
+            # Some clients/users may prefix commands with whitespace (e.g. " !bang").
+            message = message.lstrip()
+            if not message.startswith('!'):
                 return
             
             if not isinstance(user, str) or not isinstance(channel, str):
@@ -580,7 +585,7 @@ class DuckHuntBot:
                 return
             
             # Sanitize inputs
-            safe_message = sanitize_user_input(message, max_length=500)
+            safe_message = sanitize_user_input(message, max_length=500).lstrip()
             safe_user = sanitize_user_input(user, max_length=200) 
             safe_channel = sanitize_user_input(channel, max_length=100)
 
diff --git a/src/game.py b/src/game.py
index c902055..0dce28a 100644
--- a/src/game.py
+++ b/src/game.py
@@ -160,7 +160,8 @@ class DuckGame:
         
         # All duck types use the same spawn message - type is hidden!
         message = self.bot.messages.get('duck_spawn')
-        self.bot.send_message(channel, message)
+        if not self.bot.send_message(channel, message):
+            self.logger.warning(f"Failed to send duck spawn message to {channel}")
 
     async def force_spawn_duck(self, channel, duck_type):
         """Force spawn a specific duck type in a channel (admin/items), even if ducks already exist."""
@@ -184,7 +185,8 @@ class DuckGame:
         except Exception:
             pass
 
-        self.bot.send_message(channel, self.bot.messages.get('duck_spawn'))
+        if not self.bot.send_message(channel, self.bot.messages.get('duck_spawn')):
+            self.logger.warning(f"Failed to send forced duck spawn message to {channel}")
 
     def _choose_duck_type(self):
         """Choose a duck type using duck_types.*.chance (with legacy fallbacks)."""