Fast walker, slow eater

I walked around the block with Dionne for the first time yesterday and was impressed by how well she did. She trotted right with me, more or less in the proper position. She didn't stop to sniff things or veer off on her own. Today when we went out, I ran for part of the way, and she particularly seemed to enjoy that.

Steve and I haven't begun making her wear her Gentle Leader (halter) for these little outings, and though I'm dreading it, it's probably time to start. I haven't yet met a puppy who doesn't dislike them and try to rub them off. It takes a lot of training, but they all eventually learn to tolerate them.

We've at least started the process by putting Dionne's Gentle Leader on her for most of her meals. The idea is to create a positive association between something wonderful (eating!) and wearing the halter.

The only thing: Dionne so far seems the most blasé, leisurely eater we've ever had. Steve swears she picks up and chews each piece of kibble individually. Contemplatively.
She couldn't be more different from Obrien, the pup we recently hosted for 8 days. He was so voracious we were instructed to put his food under an actual large ROCK in his bowl, in a (largely vain) attempt to slow him down.

Often at lunchtime, Dionne will eat about 3/4 of her cup and then turn away  to try and scrape the halter off, against the sides of the kennel.  We exhort her to finish, but often we have to take uneaten food away.

She's none the worse for that; still one hefty girl. But we hope her attitude changes. It's easier to train a dog who worships food.