[AbSoLuTAL]

Hi all, I am new here but have read some of your posts and seems like you have a great site here.
I am becoming desperate here and am hoping you can help me before I have to get rid of my beloved little boy, Austin.
Austin is 5 years old and was very easy to train on a wee wee pad. The problem we always had was that he never allowed us to bathe him, trim his nails or cut his hair. He gets so scared and gets very snippy. When we would try to walk him, he tries to get away and chase everyone he sees. I believe it is just him wanting to meet new people and when he does, normally he barks like crazy until they pick him up. Over the years, I started bathing him and he became easy to cut him while he is bathed. Only thing I cant do it trim his nails. Anyhow, our apt. was flooded during hurricane Sandy and he seems scarred by it. Since we returned to a new apt on the same block, he has been so jumpy that we kind of cant recognize him. He still trusts/loves me but he gets worried when he hears neighbors, noises, sounds and he starts barking like mad and then when we try to quiet him, he becomes defensive and starts snipping at us. Now this happens daily and when I tried to bring over my niece which is 1yr old, he couldnt control him self. He began trying to jump at her, almost like he does when he sees someone in the street but this is an infant and his long nails will cut her up. I have tried to bring him to the vet and a groomer and while the vet isnt sure what to do, the groomer refuses to get involved.
Any idea on how to calm him, retrain him??I love my little man Austin, but my family come first and while it would break my heart, I dont know what else to do???Help!!!
Allan