I use all those commands as well.
I agree with everything you said..
I teach a “leave it”  And “ drop it” early on too.  In case they are about to eat something or chase something I don’t want them too.
I do teach a stay.   But like you I prefer they not release until told to...but dogs get bored and want to try me... then it is “stay” time.
I also teach a strong “ Heel” command.  I needed this when I hunted a lot.  I have Pearl heeling on my right.  Her mother use to heel on my left.  That was because of the way I carry my guns..  After, Reagan, died I wished Pearl was on my left...but that would have confused Pearl.
I use to have Reagan do a bunch of tricks and I would end with “play dead”.
She played dead like a possum but her tail would keep wagging....so I started  “dead dogs don’t wag their tails”.... and she would stop wagging her tail...
She was way smarter than Pearl..
Reagan:
View attachment 2026210
		 
		
	 
Those are definitely very important too!! I forgot about those. And not only are they good if they’re being naughty and grab something or whatever, they could also, once again, save their lives too if they accidentally grabbed poison or something. You never know what they’re going to find.
And Reagan sounds like an amazing dog!! 
 
Libby is very smart too. Too smart for her own good lol
The other day I caught her trying to make a grand escape, head and neck fully under the fence, and I was so worried she was stuck. Her head is pretty small but her shoulders/chest are huge and I couldn’t move the fence cause there were logs on the other side so I’m like “great... how am I gonna get her back in the yard!?

” and at first she just laid there, then tried to keep going. 

 Then laid there some more.
But anyway, she 
knew she was not supposed to be doing this and I knew she knew how to get back as she is 
very smart so thankfully after enough lecturing/gentle scolding (no yelling or anything necessary. Just her full name and stern lecture 

 ) she managed to put it in reverse and come back into the yard. I watched with amazement as she tucked her little head kinda to the side/into her body and wiggle back under the way she came. 
 
 
Of course then she wouldn’t leave the fence so again I’m like Liberty.... get in the yard, now. And she did, all reluctantly and very sorry. 
 
Another time she escaped but this time she jumped and I didn’t want to go into the neighbors yard and I couldn’t lift her from the other side so I just bent the fence towards her and with enough coaxing she finally jumped back in on her own. She tried a lot with her front paws on it but kept giving up and I’m like come on, I know you know how to get back in, you got out, you can get back in. 

 thankfully, she could.
She is ridiculously smart. 
 
Understands every word you say LOL