That's fine advice, no question that they break and that a broken rod is dangerous. If you aren't comfortable with it, don't do it. Understand the risks and how to mitigate them, it's YOUR decision in the end.
That said, hickory rods break too, that's how I've ended up using dowelling. A hickory rod I was using broke and actually punched my hand. Luckily it didn't tear anything up, resulted in more of a bad bruise/swelling with some slivers and minor cut. Could have been a lot worse. I have seen the scars from one or two guys who had had ram rods go into their hands, it doesn't look like fun.
I've been using dowelling for many years now, with many successful loads under it. Yes, dowelling seems to break more frequently. Got fed up with trying to source proper rod materials, it isn't exactly readily available where I'm at. However, I find the dowelling gives me some warning BEFORE it breaks, UNLIKE the hickory. It tends to start bending more first, then splitting rather than cracking (dowelling I use is usually poplar or some softer wood).
Since I hammered my hand I've always used a short starter with a hole in the grip to ram the ball home regardless of the rod, keeps the hand protected to a certain extent. Keep it perpendicular to the rod.
A good metal range rod is even better, it won't break - and then your wooden rod is just a back up/cleaning rod. I only recently made one though.
That's only my 0.02. Whatever you do, be careful and pay attention when you're loading.
Happy shootin'
...now I don't feel so dumb. I've started the ball down with no powder under it 3x's now. But i still have my rod 
