I think the point has been missed.
We were not questioning and explaining events because of a girl's involvement. We were merely seeking to comprehend how a person of slender build could kick a hound of perhaps 10 times their weight through a wall. If it was "slender assassin joe", who weighs a tenth of the hounds weight, we would also be in the same state of exclamation or at least I would be. This hound is as big as a human being, 1.5 metres at least, brooding from speculation. A dog of this magnitude would not only be incredibly, stupidly heavily but very fearsome.
I'm more surprised than anything Apsalar even kicked the hound, I've not seen any other bravery of this nature in the books. Anomander Rake wouldn't have faced the Hounds and kicked them, it really does show Apsalar's power, confidence and resourcefulness.
Interestingly if we mix Apt's and Abyss' comments we find an odd situation occuring:
Aptorian;245432 said:
Aps is a clone of Cotillions power and talent, but she doesn't have all his experience. That is where the difference would lie.
Abyss;246005 said:
As for Apsalar, the entire point is that she has moved beyond what she was when Cotillion possessed her.
This would insinuate that Apsalar's experience is the only reason for her continuation of power. Her capabilities have not increased, it is but her experience. I would have thought experience was one of the things that was least hindered by the possession, Apsalar has perfect knowledge of assassination through Dancer's memories, who needs experience when you have exact, duplicated knowledge.
With these posts, and my thoughts, in mind I can only deduct that if Apsalar is a clone of Cotillion's power and talent and her experience is not an obstacle then this problem no longer makes sense with only these factors.
Personally I think Cotillion's godhood and weapons give him the edge over Apsalar. I truly hope we do not live to see the day Apsalar surpasses Cotillion in the assassin art, although it's probably inevitable considering Apsalar is young and still has potential to learn more technique.