No you are not over reacting. Nor is it 'over the top.'

The last man you described, the one you tried to explain clicker training, he is following outmoded ideas, from the 1950's. He also sounds like he is saying things from the old "Monks of New Skete" which is long outdated.

We move in 'dog circles,' we are active and involved not only with our own dogs, but with others who think as we do. And we SEE the results, the changes as our own dogs develop and grow. We want that for all dogs; much as folks want all children to have the best opportunities. I guess you just have to keep on making inroads slowly, when and as you can.