I consider myself a positive trainer. I subscribe to the LIMA, least intrusive minimally aversive, philosophy. I do believe that would likely fall into your common sense category.
https://iaabc.org/about/LIMA
I don't subscribe to the dominance/alpha stuff. When it comes to training and people/dog interactions that has been debunked. I am NOT saying that dogs don't have their own social structure. That's a completely different topic that also gets very heated. I am also not saying that dogs don't need structure, rules, and expectations - they do. Again, that's another discussion.
There are a lot of books I could suggest, but I'd have to get back to that later if you're interested. Off the top of my head I would suggest Sophia Yin's Perfect Puppy in 7 days. Not that it will give you a perfect puppy, but it does have good foundation exercises that can help prevent problem behaviors from ever developing. Also a newer book called Social, Civil, and Savvy by Laura Vanarendonk Baugh. Both are positive trainers. Anything by Patricia McConnell.
Yes, you can use a waist leash with the Freedom Harness.