I’ve heard some posit that gun shyness has an inherited component, hence they don’t/won’t breed a gunshy dog. I personally don’t know where it lies in the whole nature vs nurture spectrum. However, if it were my dog, I would stand beside her and pet her and reassure her and give her treats while the pop gun was fired at a distance. As she becomes more comfortable, move in closer. If she seems fine with this, I would start over and repeat with something a little louder like a .22. Eventually, move up to a shotgun at a distance and then closer. The treats, petting, reassurance are used to create a positive association with the noise or at least an ignorance of it. Maybe some retrieves as she becomes more comfortable while firing at a distance. Others may have a different approach. Good luck! I hope you can work through it as some dogs never seem to get past it.
Last edited by Chocolatepossum; 10/04/21.
