High demands

I've placed high demands on Tails lately.

To make sure she is comfortable with it, I'm only slowly turning up the discipline.  She knows what she can and can't do, of course, but so far my reactions to her minor infractions have been very mild.
That is slowly changing.

As she becomes more comfortable with me, and becomes more and more my pet, I have to assert myself as her leader.  I have to make sure she knows I will take charge and lead her to safety should there ever be a problem, and the best way I know how to do that is to be in charge pretty much all the time.

I'm not saying I'm bossing her around.  Not at all.  I wouldn't be comfortable like that, as I'd feel like a bully, and I don't think she would respect it at all.
What I'm saying is that I'm slowly asserting myself as her leader, and making sure she accepts it and is comfortable with it every step of the way.

This usually takes the form of telling her what to do.  Little innocent things, like "Sit here."
While I really like positive reinforcement, such as cuddles and treats, I sometimes apply force to get my way.  Being a wild animal, even if she's a cute little fuzzy one, she can push back and be quite opinionated.  I'm fine with that.  In fact, it's a huge part of her charm.  I wouldn't want to break her will and make her an empty vessel I can just pour instructions into.

The balance between taking care of her through a rigid set of rules and consequences, and letting her be free and happy, is tricky.  Sure, I could just lock her in a room and beat her until she has no will, meaning I could have her do exactly as I want at all times.  If I wanted that, however, I would go out and buy a robot.  No, I like her strong will and love her attitude.  She might be tiny, but her soul is huge.

I just don't like her chewing on my couch.

Don't get me wrong here!  The vast majority of the time she is extremely well behaved, especially considering she is a wild animal.  She has not once bit me in anger, and she is very gentle towards me, even when we play fight.
What I'm thinking about is a potential for future conflict should I ever need to take direct charge of a situation.  I want to have her yield authority to me as a natural response to stress and danger, so that I can guide her through it.

Hopefully, that's where we're headed.  She is comfortable with me, and really loves to sit in my lap and cuddle.  I don't ever want to change that, but I want to extend it.  I want to know that if anything bad happens, she comes to me for guidance, protection and support.

We're going on another small excursion today, and hopefully that will go well.  I see no reason why it wouldn't, and I'm really looking forward to going on a small trip with her.