The Ultimatum

[fooled again]

grid,

Thank you very much for your concern - I know it is sincere. I should admit to you that I am being rather over dramatic (I know where my D gets it). The dog doesn't actually pull me around like a kite, but she tries and the only thing is that I'm quite strong. But you are right, she does need more training & exercise. I think w/ my D, the dog is very protective, so when D gets any distance away, the dog is probably letting us know that D is in danger. As for the hand gnawing I can totally see what you are saying.

But our home is quite unpredictable, we don't have a daily routine, as sometimes D is there, sometimes she is w/ H and the dog was very attached to her former little girl. Also, sometimes H is there, sometimes not (though more so lately). I can see how the dog would pick up any stress that's floating around. But the past few days, H has been at the house and I notice a huge difference in the dog, which is probably a reflection on the difference in the rest of us. D is a little afraid b/c of the size difference and the dog's energy, as you suggested, but D is getting more and more used to the dog and learning what to do when the dog is bounding around.

But I will take your suggestions to heart. The reason I got the dog was not for me but for my D, as she was very lonely and I hoped the dog would help her cope as she learned to communicate w/ the dog and focus some of her emotions. The family we adopted her from assured us that she had no discipline concerns and for the trial w/end, the dog was very easy and calm. Things are not always as they seem - go figure. You'd think I'd know this by now.

FA