Dog Training And Suppression

I see way too many dog training programs that rely on suppressing everything that makes a dog a dog. 

For example, novice dog training classes that are focused on immobilizing dogs on a dog cot. Or classes that focus primarily on forcing dogs to do long Down Stays and leash walking, all based upon using Negative Reinforcement and Punishment. 

I had a student with a 12 week old puppy. The significant other decided the puppy was too active, so they sent the pup to a board and train program that focused upon the above. Yes, the dog came back less active. But was that fair to a young puppy? Can't be a puppy, just needs to lay there and not do anything?

I do not support the idea of trying to make a puppy act like an old dog. Something is wrong when people want this result, and something is wrong with a dog trainer that would agree to do that with a puppy.... IMHO... 

Plan accordingly.