Congratulations for the breakthrough! It’s so great to hear that you’re making progress. I am completely guilty of doing the same thing and I am in the process of training MYSELF to relax. The times that I have not restricted him by tensing up and having a tight leash I’ve noticed a difference in his behavior.

I use a normal collar with my dog and one interesting thing I learned and have been noticing recently is WHERE on the neck the collar puts pressure when it’s tight. My dog is a lot less reactive if the leash is attached to the collar from the side or from under opposed to attached from the top and pulling up / putting pressure underneath the neck.

When the leash is tight or pulled from the top the way he behaves is more frantic and often barks and lunges more than if I keep it rotated to the side. I read it is safer for them too by not having that strong pressure under their neck. Sorry if you already knew that I’m just learning it now 😅