[Britster]

I do agree with posters above. I think only professionals should be able to put a dog into submission and do it properly. And it should rarely be used. I think some dogs need it but most don't. It can actually lead to more aggression, especially if done improperly. In your case, positive reinforcement will work best. Vets should not really be suggesting training techniques, IMO. You don't want a dog to be scared of you. Being a leader and being mean and harsh are two totally different things. Yes, you want to be the leader of your dog, but you don't want to scare them. Training should be rewarding and fun for both dog and human!