ok I have been following this thread since it came to light on the forum I am from. I live in Mt. Carmel, no I cannot take on a DA dog, I have a reactive boy myself (see avatar). I can offer a little bit of advice that I do not think was offered...well it was but not super clear, keep him TIRED, like lots of walks where he is not aloud to sniff every 10 feet or mark everything. I know that today is a GREAT day and tomorrow is supposed to be more of the same, so you can give it a try, you want a SHORT leash, the shorter the better, if you cannot handle him on a walk that would be the beginning of your training right there, I used a prong collar (its the only thing that I have found that makes him not want to eat squirls and birds, Im 5 feet tall..he is 65lbs of 1 year old energy and this collar makes him walk correctly, but its not for everyone, and MUST be fitted properly link below is a great how to fit the collar if you go that route)
How to fit a Prong Collar
I walk my boy at least an hour when its nice like this, I also play with him with a flirtpole when its not to nice out. I can tell you a walk makes a great improvement on handleablility, he stops barking at things at night when he gets a good long walk, is less reactive in general, BUT after they get rest a walk is needed, so the next day its back to the pavement for 1 hour of walking. I find around here (I live on 6th street) if I walk down 6th to the end where the Middle school (I think its the middle school it could be elementary I don't have kids) is then over to 9th street on that really nice side walk past the horses it equals about an hour, and if your kids go to that school maybe you could make it a nice thing in picking them up at the end of there school day with a walk, great exercise for the entire family. I understand how scary it is when you have a DA dog (mine being reactive I treat him as though he is DA) I know you have a fenced in yard, but you might think of also getting a chain just so if the kids are out and the dog is out either the dog could already be on the chain or you could pop him on the chain when the kids want to go out of the yard to stop him from charging out of the gate at other dogs, I think of my fence as a barrier for other dogs to keep them out, and my chain to keep my boy in, one is safety for the strays the other is for me (my boy has never tried to jump my 5 foot tall fence but you never know when your dealing with DA or reactive dogs). I know many people think chains are cruel, I think they are cruel when not used properly, just like not using a prong collar properly, not using a E-collar properly, and not using a kennel properly there are reasons for these tools and when used right they save lives. I hope this helps, I prey you can train your boy, and build your own confidence, and train your new pup so it does not end up DA or reactive. Good luck, I will try to keep an eye out on this thread but I am forgetful.
Ellie