Well, the pronged collar had exactly the effect I had hoped. Sadie respects my hand on her collar now-- even the narrower choke chain. She's not bright enough to realize the difference and has keyed onto the fact that it's ME, and I am HOLDing her. But she is much, much happier just loose in the house, and is beginning to show signs of settling down. I'll use the pronged collar if I have to take her out of the house on a lead, until I am confident in my ability to manage the Gentle Lead.

Looking through AKC breed pictures, I find the best match for her shape in a cross of Redbone Coonhound and Golden Retriever, though she may be neither. She sure acts like a Golden, though.

She and Faulkner are working out living room compromises, and the cats have begun her True Training from the chair they share.

I was so proud of Faulkner today-- he's clearly the better dog. If asked, he will actually stay settled into a lounging position while she tries to create havoc. He even shares his supper as long as his face isn't actually in it when she tries to get some. But the rawhide chew is HIS, snarl/growl/lunge. And that's OK with Sadie: "No sir, that's OK really-- I'll just curl up way over here instead of coming near you uintil you're finished with that...."

She sure is bouncy though. Hardi's opinion of F goes up by the hour! :~)

~Susan