Aye Mate,
You are way off the mark on this. Taking a dog out on his "first hunt" with what is likely zero prior training is simply NOT the way to go. "Cycling a few rounds around him" is not the proper way to condition a dog to gunfire. You need to connect with a retriever club, training group or invest in a training program and adhere to it. NOT being judgmental mind ye, just giving ye me perspective based on nearly 35 years o' working, living, and training with retrievers. If ye do not wish to ruin a potentially good dog you'll heed me advice. I wish ye luck Mate.
Irishwhistler