DocE,
We look at FF differently. I FF to get a proper delivery. This is the reason. The benefit is I get a dog which can handle pressure better. By the time I force break a pup, the dog realizes he has to sit until I say OK (my release command), he has to come when called, and he has to kennel when told to. These basic commands are ingrained so the dog looses the ability to say no. This makes FF'ing much easier. I'll bet you do the same. These can come with pressure. When I put a dog on a board and say sit, pull on the check cord until he moves, and then chastize the dog (with electricity or voice) until he is back on the board, this pressure prepares him for FF'ing. The dog learns he has to do it or there are consequences. The same is true with FF'ing. The dog learns to pick up and deliver to hand on command. The pressure tells the dog what the consequences (I'll pinch your ear until you do it). I think we are saying the same thing from a differing perspective. If I remember correctly your labs point (why, I just don't understand, but I don't have to), whoa training would be similar to the sit training I do. When I train a dog to whoa, I put him on the tail-gate of my pickup, every(!!!!!!!!!!) time he moves a foot I swat it. Expectations and consequences teach the dog what is expected. If the dog has experienced consequences throughout the training program, FF'ing is easier. I will admit after the FF'ing is complete, the dog behaves much better.

Dr Fatguy