[ThreeKids]

Dobson did actually engage with families over a long period of time. His beliefs are heavily influenced by his starting paradigm of winning the battle of wills or else, but quite a lot of his advice is going to be practical.

He's never been against allowing children to experience most of the consequences of their actions, just to have the parent's will dominate when the parent chooses. For a 12 year old, he's probably assuming the parent has already established who's boss. He's telling her not to choose this one and choosing fewer battles as the child gets older is consistent with his teachings, such as making a younger kid keep their room clean, but shutting the door when the kid gets older.

Another major part of Dobson thinking is that it is the normal course of events that teenagers will rebel and come back to the fold when they are adults. There is an assumed battle around the corner he is referring to. Unless the child had already shaved her legs, she hadn't rebelled yet.