I agree with you all! We had the same problem with our Golden Retrievers, as soon as they saw the leads, the barking would start!

How we dealt with this was to ignore them, in more explanation...get the leads, set them down on the side and walk away, if a bark was heard, a water pistol over the gate sorted that, and then when they saw the leads they did not immediately associate them with getting walked, it was more, if we are quiet and behave we will get a walk, if not...we are going to get sprayed with a water pistol!

Hope that helps, but I think the key is to ignore the demanding behaviour that is the bark! It has to be on your terms and certainly if your neighbours complain (which we experienced too!) then you have to take the energy out of the reaction...

Best wishes & hope you have success.