Desperate for leash training help for our rescued Doxie

Question
Dear Kristen,
We recently adopted a 4 1/2 year old Doxie from a breeder not realizing that she wasn't trained in Any way.  She was used as a breeding dog and kept in an outside kennel with about 9-10 other dogs.  They got her from a kennel of about 70 dogs (puppy mill) 2 years earlier.
We have crated her and worked on housebreaking with some success in 3 months.  The big problem now is leash training!  She is terrified of the leash and will hide when she see's it.  On leash she rolls like an alligator, turns on her back and grabs the leash between her paws holding it out from her neck.  We have to pry the leash out of her paws and she will grab it again.  I have tried a halter and that won't work either.
She is such a sweet dog and fits in with our other two doxie's ( 13 & 11 Yrs. ) but is very timid.  She will not come when called and I have had a trainer come out to tell us that the dog is just 'getting her way".  Even if this is true, you cannot do anything with a dog on her back except drag her.  I think someone has abused her.
We have a fenced back yard but would like her leash trained so we can walk her with our other dogs and take her on trips.
Thank you in advance.
Carol

Answer
Carol, that's awful that the people you got your dog from 'saved' her from a puppymill and then continued to use her for breeding. :^(

Her behavior on the leash is typical of a dog that has never been on one before. Usually, this is the way puppies behave when they are first introduced to a leash. Try just letting her drag it around when she's loose in the house and playing in the yard. Ignore her antics. I don't think she's been abused, just neglected.

Is she food motivated at all? If so, you can use it, and a happy voice to teach her to come to you when you call her. Running backwards away from her is also something that usually works, because dogs naturally want to chase things that are moving.