Abstract
This study was performed to find out how the training for overcoming the fear of and adapting to unfamiliar environments and noises, such as exposures at different levels to noises of a helicopter, affected German Shepherd dogs' characteristics to a specific condition. One hundred and nine German Shepherd dogs were tested in this study. There were no significant differences between genders, tasks, experiences boarding a helicopter, tempers and lengths of time spent with the handler in fearful scores. The dogs at different ages showed significant differences in their fearful scores at the time of the arrival of the helicopter(p<0.001) and approaching to it(p<0.01). In conclusion in the cases of the German Shepherd dogs, there's a need to re-examine the existing training methods for overcoming the fear of and adapting to unfamiliar materials and noises.