Not sure what you mean by "ass kicking," but beating your dog will only make them hand and foot shy, and can lead to fear biting and aggression. The next time a dog growls, snaps, or bites, grab him by the muzzle and scruff and force him to the ground with a VERY firm, "No" or "bad dog." Hold them there for a few seconds - you can even growl and snarl if you don't feel too stupid. It's what an alpha dog does with other pack members, and it's not only much more effective in showing your dog who the alpha is, but it won't result in shyness, fear, or learned aggression.