We're definitely at the same point @Bupster Bill and Brie obviously different breed, different sex, different instincts, but both very much at that point of inconsistent, erratic behaviour and us constantly having to find that balance of good /bad (well, idiocy pretty much).
Oh I can so empathise with that struggle where they pull so hard they rear up. I get that when Brie spots someone she knows 😨
I did smile at the image of Bill and his slightly over-ambitious attempt to carry home a "stick". Is that a Labrador trait? I often seem to see Labs carrying large bits of branch around...
Bill does look strong, sturdy, muscular and solid, he looks in really good shape. I'd love for Brie to be more muscled, she's still carrying a bit too much puppy fat - we are trying to increase the walks but this shite weather isn't helpful.
Brie will walk nicely to heel, or at least giant dog version of heel, which is her shoulder being level with my hand, so her head is slightly in front of my hip when she's alongside. We can do a loose lead heel-ish walk down the road, around the corner, past the Post Office and a row of cottages, but as soon as we cross the road and go down a narrow lane to head towards her favourite field, she turns into Tigger. Bounce, bounce, twirl around, grab the lead "la la la, look at meeee....!!!" After that it's impossible to get her to focus and some days we have on-lead zoomies at the entrance to the field...of late it's been right in front of a load of builders working on a cottage renovation 😳
Thankfully she doesn't chase birds or squirrels but she has to go and greet the ponies in the paddock and my arm will be pulled out of the socket if I don't meet the demands. That said, she's good and they went nose-to-nose with her immediately after a hysterically barking Bedlington had had them on the run. So that was quite a proud LGD Mama moment. She's never once barked outside of home turf...our others were the same though. Barking seems to be reserved for guarding their family and property.
On the way back from a walk I'll have more lead biting lunacy interspersed with moments of being an excellent girl (must stress that I refer to Brie here, not myself 😜). So every time we venture out it's as you describe; the good/bad, hot/cold and never knowing quite what sort of walk it's going to be.
It's challenging in some ways, the lack of consistency but it's all just part of them growing up. In 6 months, 12 months things will be very different.
I think you know your own dog very, very well, you understand him and appreciate him. I love that.