The guy on telly is making a fortune because he presents the facts in a human digestable way, using methods that are based on canine language and keeping some of the physical aspects that humans relate to more easily.
His body language is totally different from the owners he is giving "miracle cures"to.
All the time he his talking to the owner he is giving very strong messages to the dog in question without even looking at it!
Yes - I was brought up around horses.
NO!!!!! You do not need to do anything to a horse other than walk your fingers over it's skin like a fly for it to feel you. - Take two minutes to watch a horse with a fly walking on it and you will see!
To survive - to stay alive - a horse has to know what parasites are near it, on it and potentially taking advantage of it. In order to do this it has developed ultra sensitive skin, a long tail and a buddy system - ever seen horses standing nose to tail? They are keeping flies off each other.....because they irritate! Please, think about what you actually see rather than what you read or are told!
To compenstae for this parasites have developed specialised saliva so that sensitive skin doesn't feel the bite.
To compensate for this many animals have developed an allergy to the saliva.....and so the cycle goes on.
No, I do not think I am the only one that knows about dogs - Darwin started the whole idea, so it's not new.
Yes, you and the guy you described are using the exact same methods - he just has more reason, in his eyes, to use further force than you do.
Chimps, I'm sure you would agree, should not be treated as human children and paraded as cute photographic models. Most people on the planet will see the opportunity to have their photo taken with a chimp and do it. You would not hit your hamster and expect it to know what you are upset about.
All I am saying is that dogs are somewhere inbetween - they are not hamsters and should not be treated like they were. They are not chimps and should not be treated as though they were and they are not human.
Using physical retribution, however slight, is giving your dog the signal that you are not coping as leader. -That is not only my opinion, it is canine opinion as well. Canine communication is probably the most studied and understood of all, bar primate, animal communication.
I do not take offence at all at your remarks, you are totally entiltled to your opinion.
My point is that with such obvious concern for your dog's welfare it is a shame you have decided to be led rather than find out for yourself.
There is a whole world of opinion out there and shutting yourself down to just one is a waste of an intelligent and caring mind.
As I said before - although having problems is stressful, it is also an opportunity.
I'm really sorry you feel the way you do.
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Audrey, please, please, please try not to interpert well meaning advice as a personal criticism. We all want to help you out with this, OK? You are such a dear girl, and I really want you, and Josie, to stick around! 
And Jiz, your 4 legged family is gorgeous!
And, you know, there are LOTS of members your age here! As a matter of fact, Logan and I were just talking about how the younger ones are taking over! 
If she misbehaves, it is MY fault. I have given her the wrong message, signals. I have a very sympathetic side, and my tendency is always to "give in" rather than reprimand. Well, finally, I was getting too tired, being woken up every night at 2am! And, she has to learn to eat at the appropriate times, or she'd be yelping at the pantry and frig all day long! After a lot of discussion with knowledgeable dog people and my vet, I finally accepted the fact that I had to be the boss!! And it didn't require physical reprimand. It was hard, but when she would start to bark to demand something, when she would yelp and bark to go out and play at 2am, I was told I HAD to just ignore her. She would stop when she realized that barking or begging was not going to get her what she wanted! And, after a week or two, blessed silence. And no, I certainly am not denying her anything or being cruel. Ask anyone here. No dog gets MORE atteniton, time and love than Star and Cody. But, guidelines do have to be set or your life will be chaos! Just think about what others have said. OK?? Oh, and on my refrigerator, I have printed the Dogs' Bill of Rights. Among those rights is this...."I have the right not to be made a prisoner of my own misbehavior." In other words, "teach me how to be good...not punnished." And, the quote in my signature below, for me, says it all!
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