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This brings me to an idea. Yesterday I started teaching him the look command. If I get him doing this well, can I then translate that into the heel command?

I think this is where you should have started Kory. Before I take any steps I've taught a look command. I'm not sure if its been mentioned, but something else I find important is a clear begininng and a clear end.

I like to tll him its time to do something with 'ready' and that we're finished with 'done'.

Before you go much further, I'd consider going back to the very begininng. Pay a lot of attention to breaking it all down like Bob mentioned and then think about needing to use corrections. He may not be super motivated for anything enough to maintain the heeling without you showing him he has to.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9giHxEUP4Q

But make sure you've taught him all the pieces.
Time to start
Look
Heel position
Look in heel position
Steps
Finished

steve, I just watched the video. I have a question about it. Is marco too young at 9 months to use an E-collar for the pressure once I get to that point? I'm going to basically start over like you guys said. That just made me think of another question. Can I still use the same command?

Not just too young, but you've got a lot of work to do first. I think you may have been a little confused on some things Kory, and thats been confusing to him too.

Changing commands, I wouldnt, but its up to you. If you think it will help you keep things clear for him and you, ok.

I'd rather not change commands. Just didn't want to keep using the same one if it was going to confuse him.and I was just asking about the E-collar for when I get to the point of corrections. I know I'm not there yet but when I am, it seems like it would be easier to get the timing of the correction right with it rather than a pop on the leash.

I'm not a fan of ecollar work without seeing a pro do it and someone watching over you so you can learn it correctly.
Great tool when used correctly but it's also one of the most misused/abused tools in dog training. JMHO of course!
I don't use them but that's just my personal choice.

 Quote: Kory Fox

andI was just asking about the E-collar for when I get to the point of corrections. I know I'm not there yet but when I am, it seems like it would be easier to get the timing of the correction right with it rather than a pop on the leash.

I disagree with this. Timing shouldn't be different, as they're both dependent on the handler's reflexes. Once you get used to the leash corrections, they become second nature for both you and the dog.
I don't have to give very many hard corrrections. My dog is so used to them that I just have to shake the leash most times.

Prong collar = power steering for dogs.

O.K. Duane that's why I was asking before I get to that point. Just seems the correction would get to him that instant quicker with the E collar than me pulling, leashing tightening on the prong collar then he gets the correction.

Once he gets used to it, as soon as you flinch he will know it's coming.

I may be the only one (in which case I will be chastised here), but I use a verbal correction in conjunction with the physical. Just as I use yes to mark a correct behavior and reward, I have two negative markers;
"Uh uh" means incorrect, try again, no correction.
"No" means you know better, correction coming, get it right.

Just as for the reward, the marker eliminates the need for precision timing of the delivery

Hey Kory, the ecollar can be great for this or it can cause you even more problems depending on you and Marco. I didnt use an ecollar on my Rott at all for heeling. Like Bob said, I really would look for direction from the trainer at the club you go to.

I obviously don't have Duane's athletic reflexes, because I can press that button a whole lot quicker then I can pop a leash, but if you're tightening the leash and he flinches knowing the correction is coming, neither do you because thats not a good correction. Its always loose leash,pop,loose leash. If the leash is tight, you're guiding him or restraining him. You don't want either when your correcting, but thats a little too much skipping around here.

For right now, I'd concentrate on just a couple of things. Cueing him that its time to start. Rewarding him for looking at you, and telling him he's done.

When he comes into drive with 'Ready' starts trying to make eye contact with you on his own, then add 'Look' I'd do that first part with movement, backing away, turning away, turning back to him, encouraging him to just look up at you and make eye contact.Mark and reward. Food in both hands, alternate which one rewards him. End when he's in drive with 'Done' and put him away to digest what he just did.

I am getting some help from the trainer but that's once a week at most. The other thing with that is he prefers using a clicker so I'm doing that instead of the verbal marker. I'm thinking about using the verbal for heeling at home because that's what I started with and when I switched to the clicker he picked it up instantly. So I understands both. Do you see any problems with that?

Again, I'm not concerned with using an E-collar. Just wondering because ME was discussing it in that video link.