@gg5 Nice to meet you! Yes, the dog problem is a BIG problem but I have a few options in mind. Have an area fenced off that she can't get to, with raised beds, where I will be starting everything as early as I can while I re-landscape the back yard. She is outside with me from dawn to dusk in the warm weather so will have plenty of opportunity for "firm" training of manners in the yard. Worse case scenario is single wire electric fencing around key areas if necessary (sounds harsher than it is). Plus large play area across street that I must learn to take her daily for her crazy running antics so she can still do "what dogs do" regularly. It will all come down to my commitment in training her appropriately. She's a good girl, just an obnoxiously large puppy!
Glad you think the cold frame idea may help. I recently ordered a few sedum plants to try that theory out on. Should be starting that by next week. There are automatic side vent openers (aka foundation vents) that you can buy to open venting in the cold frame when it gets too hot during the day! Otherwise the automatic top lift venting arms for greenhouses. Gonna get one or the other as a backup in case I fail to lift lid on a sunny day. Have you experimented with cold frames?
Thanks for your generous offer of semp cuttings. I'm not comfortable taking for free while I'm still new here but we could work out a deal that is fair to all if you are interested. ATP has so many awesome resources for info and plants that I can't seem to get anything else done every day - just looking around and dreaming!! lol, the "Devil" saying, not sure if my DH feels the same way when spring rolls around every year
@ValleyLynn, if I am getting too off topic for the sedum chat please poke me with a stick or something and let me know! Am just so excited to be here and get going on spring
@AuntieP glad you found your way to ATP! Just a suggestion - the cold frame idea sounds good! I could see that helping get a jump start. One thing I've noticed on the ground cover sedum - every stalk can be started as a cutting!! Its very exciting. If you are planning to have the dog in the back area, I don't think most things will be able to survive the running, scratching, stomping that a puppy is likely to do. (especially before they're really established) Maybe rows of potted plants might be better (along the paths or whatever?? Just a thought - I hate to see you do all that work, thinking these plants are "stepable" and have them not survive 
) I've seen these methods work so well, you use a "clicker" and treat bag - the idea is that instead of trying to "dominate" your pet, you simply offer an animal which loves food - a treat for doing the behavior you are looking for - My brother has an 8month old labrodoodle and they've been using this method - it is amazing! Good luck - it can be a headache but so worth it! (I'm a dog walker!) 
- I find it difficult to even use an angry tone with my dog because she gets her feelings hurt. Rule at our house is NO VIOLENCE. A temporary electric line would be a last resort if all else fails.. certainly don't want to go there if at all possible. I've got the clicker training, use it frequently. All is good! Glad you spoke up with your concerns before everyone else gets the wrong idea 
You seem like a very caring person, which is why I thought some training ideas that are also caring, would be helpful - no pressure, I just found them very helpful! 
Thank you so much Julia for posting those tempting photos. 
That is my favorite time for the sedums. Spring is sure to arrive soon. 
