LD lore has it that finger-through-palm is less reliable than the nose-pinch. I've only every done nose pinch and hand-check in a dream and both worked fine, but nose pinch for me is so very clear.

For dream control, you shouldn't "wish" for something, you have to *know* that it will work, that's a different mindset that comes with some experience, but you can try it right away. Creating fake/pretend memories is a great way to do this, "oh, yeah, <DC name> is right behind me, here, DC, take my hand (reach behind you), let's go (bring your hand around in front of you)!". You're steering the narrative of the dream this way and some use this to great effect (e.g., sivason).

It's the same way in normal dreams where you see something vague and shadowy, and believe it's something scary, and voila, it turns into something scary.

First MILD after one week? Impressive! And congrats!