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I'm an avid dog lover (actually I like most animals...but not necessarily all breeds of all animals!) and I can tell you this much...if you have not watched a dozen episodes of Cesar Milan, then you are missing out on some amazing information on how to successfully integrate a new animal to your home.
A few tips: Walk the dog, for at least a mile, before bringing him to your home. Especially with him being a nervous one this will help him bond with you more than any other action you can do. It's a fundamental thing for dogs to exercise to get them in a calm state of mind. Also, once he's home and he gets nervous, don't pet him or coo to him. This seems very against your nature but what that does is re-enforce that behavior....think about it like this, he gets nervous and scared and you pet him and soothe him, but in his mind you are rewarding that behavior with praise. Instead, get his mind off what is making him nervous by walking him or distracting him with a favorite activity.
Basically he's scared because he's unsure about something. The best way to fight this is to make sure he knows you are pack leader which makes a mutual trusting bond between you....so when he's scared, but you're nearby and broadcast dominance of the situation, he will calm down over time.
This can also really help the basset pup mentioned above, but then again...it's a hound, that's what they do when they're adolescent.
Just my tips, I'm no expert, but I like to think I have been around enough to have a good idea.
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