My female dog, Zara came from the rescue centre with a morbid fear of her lead; who knows why and who did what to her ?? She would shiver and quake at it.

Like angie and pugster suggested, we made games with her lead... left it laying around the house, and slowly ( a week or two) she came to at least not fear the sight of it. That accomplished we'd put the lead on & make that part of the game and take it off again... and give her a treat.

Within a month she had no fear of the lead, indeed when she sees it she knows she's in for a walk or some socialising and bounces up and down with sheer pleasure.

I hope it's soon like that for you and your dog.