Nature I'm like you and can't stand the shock or pinch collars but would use a pinch before a shock.
I read this book and it gave me some insight into fear agression.
I'm not sure your dealing with this though but it does help get you into a dogs mind. I thought it was one of the better books out there for agression.
http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB142