From what I've read I am not uncomfortable in the sense that his methods would harm Tucker in any way, he seems positive, non-confrontational, and all around positive. Plus Tucker's aggression is not owner directed so his whole dominance thing isn't important for us. I would like to find some of what he's written on stranger aggression though, to get an idea of the sorts of behavior modification he suggests. The only "uncomfortable" feeling I have is the food issue. I'd want to know WHY it works before implementing it...does it simply sap your dog's energy so he can't muster up the energy to react anymore? That seems very wrong to me. if there is some underlying science I don't know about then that's different. but then is it worth the possible physical effects of lower quality food? (it might be, I really don't know, I guess it depends how low protein we are talking here...I consider Fromm to be low protein. and it would depend on how drastic of a difference we would see). I also don't like loosing competency in the eyes of my parents (I'm the one who pushed for high quality food, they'd have fed Pedigree). But that's just me being self centered.
My main concern is that he's not going to tell us anything terribly helpful, that a regular behaviorist of some sort (not veterinary) would be able to help more in that regard. The only reason I'm going vet behaviorist is for meds, and I don't know if spending $300-$400 for someone to just prescribe meds (and will give me behavior info I already know) is worth it when a vet could prescribe them for less and I could take the saved money and spend it on a behaviorist who I feel will be more helpful. Again, I'm the one pushing my parents to get him help, to use positive methods, etc. if I tell them they HAVE to spend this money if they want Tucker to improve, and then he doesn't improve, I'm going to have very angry, resentful parents who continue to believe that if I'd just let them hit him he'd behave. That's why i always sound so wishy washy on everything. Money is very tight for my parents (and I have none) and so I don't want to push for them to spend huge amounts for nothing when they don't have faith in it themselves.