@lost_soul Hi! I noticed on the walk when the other dog was wagging his tail your dog (like my dog USED to do was lunging and barking) and my dog weighs 80lbs and looks very similar to your dog, they are strong.
I learned a technique with my dog I am 58F and I walk her alone & always worry about these situations too. I will turn around on the days I don't feel I have the strength to handle her, but sometimes it happens so fast.
So I watched some videos...The next time you take a walk with Miles..bring lots of treats..practice on the dead end tugging on her harness and calling her name till she looks at you and then TREAT.....Do this for about 4 days....that way she knows when you tug she has to pay attention to YOU.
Then...when you feel in "control" enough that she listens when you call her while she is pulling so that she stops and waits for her treat...then approach your first walk with a potential to see a dog or a person.
What she is doing is protecting you because you have not shown her that you are the boss of where she goes, by that tug on the leash when she is doing nothing wrong.
On the first walk, I was scared crap...the first time she spotted someone 2 blocks away and started to stiffen and pull faster and faster, I did the tug, told her to look at me gave her a treat....the first time I took a detour, but during the detour she kept wanting to look back & I kept telling her to look at me and treated her.
Now we are at the point where today I had my ex husband with me....so I felt safe to pass the dog...the whole time we were passing, I had her focused on me taking treats from my hand...good girl, good girl, good girl......we did it.
It takes alot.
As far as medications, I am against all for dogs unless medically necessary, thyroid, other stuff...but since your dog has been on medications I TRULY believe that the ONLY medication that your dog needs is Clonozepam, it is an anti-anxiety medication.
Your dog & my Dog have high anxiety which is why they are acting out. I do believe this medication would be very helpful for your dog as well & I do think your vet would be open to this if you have all this documentation and nothing else has worked.
I totally get your wifes point of view because this is not MY DOG....it is my sons dog and he works all day...I don't want to put up with this anxiety on a daily basis so I am working so hard on the training & that is really what it takes TONS of POSITIVE TRAINING WITH TREATS.
As far as the TV jumping episode....that is pent up excitement.
Miles, like my sons dog....a WALK is not enough....lots and LOTS of play.
When we come back from our mile walk in the morning, we have to at least play for 1/2 hour in the back fetching the ball or the stick...before she is tired.
I do notice she only whines and acts like I see Miles acting when she is not exercised enough....and I will be honest, she is NOT exercised enough everyday, but the days she is...make a big DIFFERENCE.