If you don't want the terminal bud, trim it. But having many side branches will slow down the terminal bud. Either way works. One way leaves a central leader, the other doesn't.
Yes, the end bud on a branch does act as a new terminal bud, but to a lesser degree. And I think that in general, the more horizontal a branch is, the less effect the terminal bud has. But this isn't always true. We have all seen weeping willows, weeping cherries, etc. Twigs are growing straight down yet not branching much.