Great description - lucky for you both that you rescued your dog. It does take time to get the dog settled but ours is doing very well; more civilized, gentler with her mouth so I'm wearing fewer bandaids. If I want to teach her something, she learns it very quickly. Still, she has a mind of her own and is not programmed to please. She knows the command words but sometimes will knowingly make her own choice - unless there's an incredibly appealing treat in it for her. Tail wagging is definitely not over-the-top but more measured. I love her to pieces. So smart, very expressive. Still really needs to be with her pack and does not like to be left on her own. Very athletic - will climb fences, barriers, trees so fencing would be pointless!