8 week beagle puppy training

Question
QUESTION: I have been reading books and internet articles and my beagle pup has behavior that is not addressed in the books and such.(The art of raising a puppy by the Munks of New Skete) During the Restraint exercise in Chapter 14 with the pup between my legs looking away I place my hand under his muzzle and across his chest. If he squirms hold him firmly and in a firm voice say "NO,Stay!" Then as soon as he settles.... I tried for several minutes and Rocky NEVER SETTLES! I've tried also to pin him in the dominating manner of his understanding but his independence is astonishing and the book gives no follow up action if the pup does not do like the "perfect dog" in the book. Also the pup will sometimes not be affected by my stern "No"'s. I have only had the pup for two days. He also tries to show dominance to my 7 and 4 year old. My question is "how am I to handle my pup's stubbornness to my attempts, and how do I show him his position in the household?"

ANSWER: The Monk's of New Skete is an outdated, neanderthal method of training.  Pinning a puppy to show dominance merely makes the pup terrified and denies any bond of trust and love that SHOULD be building between you.  Your pup HAS no position in your household!  A dog's position in a household (which takes WEEKS) is established with firm, loving, patient guidance and positive reinforcement training.  Did you beat your children to potty train them?  Did you hold them down to force them to use a fork and knife at the dinner table?  I doubt it!

I don't have any idea what you mean by the fact that your pup is attempting to demonstrate dominance over your children.  It's much more likely that you're observing a very confused, frightened (if not terrified) young dog attempting desperately to find his "rank" among his litter mates (your children.)  If you want to learn about enlightened training and REAL dog psychology, read Patricia McConnell, Ph.D.  Her books are readily available at Amazon.  No one with any education subjects any dog...let alone a PUPPY...to dominance exercises, stern discipline, and bizarre, idiotic rituals of 'pinning' and 'subjugating.'  The Beagle is one of the most trusted family pets, wonderful and gentle with children.  if you keep this bizarre "TRAINING" up, you're going to wind up with a seriously neurotic dog who will be put to death at some municipal animal shelter because no one can deal with him.  Do it right or return the dog to the breeder.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your reply. I appreciate any and all help at this moment. No I did not beat my children to potty train them or force them to use a knife and fork. My children and Rocky are different species so your connection between the two is confusing. I understand that dogs live in a pack and the dominating gesture I used was not from the book. Also  your answer did not answer my question. So I will rephrase it " How do I stop my new puppy from nipping my children and myself during playtime with the puppy?"

Answer
There is absolutely no difference between the way human children are treated and a member of Canis Familiaris (the domestic dog.)  Both require patience, thoughtful approach and a safe, secure, loving environment.  Your puppy is horribly confused and most likely, given the bizarre methods you've attempted to 'teach' him his 'place', terrified.  Play biting in neonate pups and young dogs is normal and easily stopped.  However, given the fact that you totally ignored everything I stated in my previous post, I doubt you're willing or able to effectuate even the easiest methodology to create of this poor terrified puppy any sort of companion.  You are producing a nightmare for this lifetime of this dog. If this means anything at all to you, read Patricia McConnell's books, as I suggested heretofore.

PS:  It's people like you who cause innocent lives to be lost at municipal kill shelters...people who have no idea what they're doing, harm the dog psychologically and emotionally, and then dump it on the street or in the shelter so it can 'find a new home'.  Don't get any more dogs.