Come on I think maybe pro punishment is getting a bit carried away if the posts were saying the poor dog was being smacked or hurt in any way then thats something to rile you but a sharp tug on a normal lead and collar is not a punishment at all for the dog it is merely bringing it back to attention, those of you that are lucky enough to have a dog that will lose interest if you ignore the unwanted behaviour then lucky you but all dogs are individuals.
My lab would take me on a land ski ride when I first had her if I'd ignored her lunges at other dogs, people, horses, chickens, anything she thought she may get some attention from, as a rescue she was never socialised, that short quick tug saved many a muddy person, she did get to a few people one of which was a lady in white pants, needless to day me and Summer were not at all popular!! she would only be saying 'hello' but I wouldn't appreciate somebody letting their dog lunge at me as they wanted to ignore the unwated behaviour.
The dog we had before Summer didn't need that tug he would lose interest with positive reinforcement, still to see what my new pup will do but I will definitley be starting with positive reinforcement.
I wouldn't say the tug makes you cruel!!

Works a dream with my 2, which goes to show how they are all different and have their little quirks.

No it doesn't work, which is why you have to keep doing it and you will continue to punish these dogs until they die.

Anybody who says a tug on a lead attached to a normal leather collar is cruel really needs to bone up on the meaning of the word.

The very fact that within a day of taking on Tai, he went from pulling like an express train to walking calmly on a loose lead, is a testament in itself, bearing in mind his breeding of husky, mal mix. Ben ditto. My method works with my 2 dogs, and that is all that I should concern myself with. It is simple, it is quick, it is kind, no chokes or even slip leads are used, just a simple horse leading rope attached to a normal leather collar. Simples!

The idea is that their name is not associated with punishment

Gnasher, can I ask. Why do you let your Northern Breeds (Mal and Husky) off lead? All the of websites/advice I have seen over the years (and very recently as I am researching a sibe for my Bro) have stated that these breeds should never ever be allowed off lead.