Or is the fact I have spaniels a non starter?!
DDog1 is calm and steady, will wait at gates, in the car etc and can then be released, whereby he breaks into a gentle potter. DDog2 arrived in a whirlwind of energy and excitement. He's just turned 2 and his behaviour is in general very good but a wait command generates such anticipation that when released (or let off the lead) he will fly off in a whirling mass, barking with sheer joy and excitement. DDog1 is an enthusiastic player of the "I can get through the gate first" game at this point as well.
DDog3 is a staffiexwhippet so different temperament, as well as not being as fast as the others. She bounces along behind in a flurry of excitement and frustration, egging the boys on to run faster so she can't push them over
I'm prepared to be told that I need to spend more time practising calm and gentle releases individually BUT we can do this, it's just together that it all goes to rat shit
As an example we stopped to let a cyclist pass us yesterday. All 3 dogs sat patiently waiting (finger hooked in DDog3's collar as she's still a baby) and the cyclist thanked me and commented on their excellent behaviour From that point though I couldn't release them without it sounding like a pack of wild dogs thundering away. With constant attention the wait is almost indefinite so steadiness in that sense is fine, it's just a more controlled release I need :)