He’s really good, and will be able to tell you how to distract your dog and get him to focus on you. Good luck!!
I used to own a stubborn Samoyed dog. He benefitted so much from beginner obedience training, and then intermediate training. Being in a class with other dogs showed him that it’s ok to learn. I appreciate that money is tight, so maybe ask facebook or other local groups for a trainer recommendation, and see if you can find one who works on a sliding fee scale. Some may help just to make sure a dog doesn’t get reactive or aggressive.
You have a lot of time, which is great. Lots of repetition, treats, and consistency will produce a well trained and happy dog!