[Storm]

Go back to spending a few sessions just with the dog driving you backwards etc. no formality, for say food. By getting this driving "instinct" and association with the field it will become more so a behavior from the dog. Irrespective of the equipment on the dog this behavior should continue provided that there is no negative assoiciation with it I.E. corrections. I have found that especially with rotties that the ability to really drive and focus comes very "late". Don't ask for this to early as then the dog will shut down. People think that they tend to be a "little" head strong in that they have their own agenda, but this is more so the lack of ability to develop desire within the foundation stages! And this is an area where the motivation must be lifted and not correction applied to try and shape the desired response. Correction in this instance causes conflict and the dog does not see it as a means to relieve pressure as many times there is no correct behavior in place for the dog to revert to as an answer for the correction. For really attentive focused heel work with a rottie I would manipulate the food drive to the fullest extent. They normally are food driven and in saying so do multiple short sessions, very successful and imprint this food drive association with a long term goal. I have seen soooooooooooooo many rotties doing terrible heel work due to incorrect obedience associations. For really good work the dog must initiate the behaviors, obviously once you have imprinted the associations and then they must be reinforced making them stronger and stronger to a point where one can say right, now I have the desire now I can shape behaviors revolving around the obedience requirements. IMO the biggest mistake people make is ask for work, positions etc. when fundamentally there is no desire!