I too have a gun-shy dog, a little beagle, 3 years old. He acts just as you describe. He also is very cautious about his surroundings. If anything is out of place, he sees it and very cautiously approaches it or avoids it all together. I carried a large rolled up rug into the house yesterday and he ran to the next room. I put it on the floor, still rolled and he would peek at it from the doorway but wouldn't enter the room until I unrolled it. I have to set with him on my lap every fourth of July and new year's while he quivers from fright! I hope you figure something out!. LK