due to deployment, my dog has missed the last two seasons. he's retained all his commands (basic and retrieving), but I'm curious about gun etc. i took my shotgun out and he sort of cowered a bit. should i jsut take him out get him going again or should i do some sort of gun breaking course of action?

Did he cower to just the sight of the gun?

I am no pro trainer. But I would start off by thorwing a bumper and you standing away from him with the gun. When bumper is in air shoot. And gradually work your way closer. Get him excited about it and you shouldnt have any troubles

You might want to get someone to get far away throw the bumper and shoot,you send the dog to retrieve, then let them work up closer to you. Stop when and if the dog flinches.Start off with a 410 then start over with a 20 and then again with a 12.
I'm no trainer of any kind but have listened to people who are good trainers. Go slow and good luck

That's the first thought I had, too. The post seemed to read that way and it sure would have bearing on next steps.

he was at heel, and was leaning a little away from me. he didn't like hide or anything... mostly when i racked it a couple times... Maybe i could take him to the skeet range?

I prefer this method over the skeet range. It associates the gunfire with the retrieve and otherwise distracts the dog from focusing too heavily on just the sound.