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• Memories of Steve

ANOTHER YEAR BECKONS ………….

which should be a time for celebration but for many of our canine companions as yet another year begins nothing could be further from the truth.

This time last year, I wrote about the not so obvious causes of cruelty to dogs. I now see a rapid slide towards attitudes, which until recently were seemingly confined to the USA:

• the throwaway society – rescued societies overwhelmed with strays / over 100 dogs a month are destroyed in the UK
• allowing our dogs to become more and more obese
• cruelty to dogs (and all animals) is on the increase
• puppy farms still churning out their desperate charges on an unsuspecting public
• veterinary practices reporting a dramatic increase in Separation Anxiety problems
• dogs continuing to have their tails cut off (the ‘polite’ word is docked) – this is my personal soap box issue – how arrogant of us to mutilate these sensitive creatures and deprive them off their subtle communication mechanism towards other dogs and us!
• And AGAIN this Christmas, puppies will have been be bought as ‘surprise’ gifts for excited children – unwanted, unloved and very confused.

New Government legislation re canines has been added to the statute books with VERY little publicity or clarity of the content. I urge all dog owners, walkers and trainers to be on the lookout in both the National and local press for important changes under Dog Control Orders (DCO).

Hopefully, when the contents of these DCO’s are finally announced and published at both Government and local council level, these new laws will only benefit dogs and caring owners. Leaving the law to penalise those who abuse and misuse the freedoms that we all currently enjoy with our dogs here in the UK.

This is, also, the intention of the new DEFRA legislations but the ability to effectively implement these new welfare laws concerns me. The very recent case in point in Rome – the legal dictate that ‘ALL DOGS MUST HAVE ONE WALK EVERY DAY’ – all very admirable but how in the name of everything Roman can such a piece of legislation be enforced. Unfortunately even the best canine communicators cannot ask a dog that important question! There may, of course, be some indications that a particular dog has not had a walk –i.e. obese or hyper but in reality such laws like so many of our current legislation are only good in theory. They are totally unenforceable and only touch the tip of the iceberg and do NOT address the core problems.

LET’S WORK TOGETHER AND EDUCATE PEOPLE
TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEIR DOG NEEDS FROM THEM!

Thank you Steve Fryer

November 2005

Steve's out to collar the stars
Western Daily Press- October 10th 2000

SELF-STYLED Dog Whisperer Steve Fryer is bidding to collar the Californian market on a mission to the home of the stars.

The dog trainer, who lives at Alderbury near Salisbury, has already proved a saviour to many dog owners in the West driven to distraction by "problem" pets. He has booked a flight to Los Angeles early next month in the hope of extending his talents to the world's showbiz capital.

Steve, aged 53, has already made valuable contacts with clients and attracted potential media interest on the West Coast via the Internet.
His website brings a steady flow of enquiries from dog lovers around the world, but the U.S. in particular.
Steve labelled himself the dog whisperer after Robert Redford's film, The Horse Whisperer.

He speaks directly to his dog "patients," altering the tone of his voice to let the animals know when they are misbehaving and then working with the owners in and around their homes to make the training consistent for the dogs.

Steve, who describes himself as a "canine artist," said: "I believe I can cure most dogs of anti-social behaviour."

He says he is horrified at the 7.5 million dogs put to sleep each year in the U.S.

Dog trainer offers help for problem pets
Bath Chronicle - September 28th 1999

Despairing dog owners will be able to seek the advice of the 'Dog Whisperer' who is in Bath tonight.

Steve Fryer says he can help mixed-up mutts quickly change their anti-social behaviour, is giving a lecture at the Guildhall. The former Guide Dogs for the Blind instructor has trained scores of people to full mobility with their guide dogs. He now uses his gentle technique of quiet praise and reward to help problem dogs.

Last week he took just two hours to re-educate an 11-year-old dog from Bath who was driving its owners crazy by barking constantly during car journeys. But in many cases, it is the owners who are to blame for their pets distress. Steve said: "It's often more about training the owner than it is the dog.
"Half the dogs I see are rescue dogs. When they move in with a family the humans think in terms of love and attention.
"I'm not saying that they should not be given love, but that has to be balanced with control. For example, a new puppy needs to know what sort of environment it's going in to and what the parameters are. It's the same with dogs going to new homes."

Steve will be sharing tonight's platform with flower and gem practitioner Helma Alder-Collins, from Peasedown St John. Helma, who describes herself as a Buddhist priest and is known professionally as Je-Ka, works with animals and humans using flower and gem remedies to alleviate suffering.

"Better behaviour - Steve treats one of his 'patients' "

"Who you calling stupid"

Thank you letter
From Jackie Cooke- October 1999

Dear Steve,
Thank you very much for the session you gave at 'The Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases', Neuro-Head Injury Unit, Bath, on Thursday 21st October 1999. The talk was extremely interesting to both the patients and the staff. It was an excellent balance between theory and practice at a level that meet the different capabilities of the patients. The session provided an educational and social opportunity for both the patients and staff. I've had good feedback from patients, relatives and staff.

I enjoyed meeting you and gained important insight into training and management of dogs - which Simba will surely benefit!

I hope to keep in contact with you and may take you up on your offer of another demonstration at some point.

Thank you once again for your time and support.

Yours sincerely, Jackie Cooke.

Animal Therapy
Bath Chronicle - October 1999

A 'Dog Whisperer' will be offering animal therapy to patients at a central Bath hospital this week.

On Thursday afternoon, the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Upper Borough Walls will be visited by Steve Fryer, a former Guide Dogs for the Blind instructor who now helps problem dogs to change their anti-social behaviour. Jackie Cooke, who is a nursing sister at the hospital, said: "I attended a lecture at the Guildhall with Mr Fryer last month and invited him along to the hospital. "He will be visiting our head injuries department, which houses 23 patients of all ages who usually remain at the hospital for six to nine months.
"He will be bringing a dog along and demonstrating his training techniques.
Animal therapy is very helpful to the patients as they relate to the animals and have an everyday connection with them."

Johnny Morris' last public appearance
Salisbury Journal - September 1998

THE man who introduced thousands of children and adults alike to the wonders of the animal kingdom through his television, radio and personal appearances, visited Salisbury in September 1998 and enjoyed his afternoon at the city's first Dog Awareness Day organised by "The Dog Whisperer".

He and other visitors met over 200 different types of dogs brought along by their owners.

The Dog Whisperer, Steve Fryer, held "surgeries" throughout the afternoon assessing and advising on a whole range of dog related problems.

With plenty of trade stands, demonstrations of dogs grooming, training and general advice, there was much to interest the dog owner and their pets were able to enjoy the company of other dogs as well.

Watch this site for future Dog Awareness Days to be arranged next year.

Perhaps you have suggestions on where the next show could be held? E-Mail me with your suggestions.

Click on the images for a full size version