My German Shepherd rescue

I have a shepherd rescue that I’ve had now about 5 years. He was abandoned and when found he only weighed 45 lbs and had been obviously tortured. Yet, this is the sweetest dog I’ve ever had. He just loves everybody and smiles when he sees you.

My problems are that:

1. He’s afraid of everything! He weighs 85 lbs now, and he hides his head when he hears thunder. He runs from the sound of you putting a sack in the garbage. He’s afraid of kittens! He got scared about a bug crawling towards him.

2. The barking is beyond anything I’ve ever experienced. He barks at floating leaves, he barks every time this certain dog down the street barks and he has no idea why. He barks when I talk on the phone. He barks constantly.

3. This rental we’re in is very small. He paces constantly and can’t settle. It’s much worse during storms and on July 4th.

I love this big lug beyond reason and I’ve tried everything I can afford.

I would appreciate suggestions for helping him.

Thanks very much.