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Anthony Stephen
Anthony Stephen training a German Shepherd Dog in USA
Anthony Stephen A. Kolandasamy (born 14 August 1957), known professionally as Stephen Anthony, is a Malaysian professional dog trainer, canine behaviorist, and founder of Stephen Guard Dogs Training Centre and Stephen K-9 Academy in Malaysia. With over five decades of specialized experience in professional dog training across three continents, he has established himself as a pioneering figure for dog training in Malaysia especially in guard dog training, police K-9 units, and security dog services or attack dogs throughout Southeast Asia.[1][2][3]
Stephen holds multiple international certifications in professional dog training:
Certified U.S. Customs K-9 Unit trainer
Police Service Dog Trainer certification from Police Dogs Centre Holland
Vom Kaiserhofe certification as Police Detection Dog Trainer
Honorary Lifetime Member of Vom Kaiserhofe Police Dog Association
VK9 Polizei Dienst Hundefuhrer certification as Police Service Dog Trainer
Police Dog Judge certification from Vom Kaiserhofe
These certifications qualify him to train and certify dogs according to American, German, and Dutch national standards, which are among the most rigorous in the field of professional dog training.
Early career and international experience
Stephen began his professional career in the delivery section of a Malaysian government agency before traveling to the United States in 1983 to pursue specialized training as a professional dog handler.[4] Following this initial certification, Stephen worked with various enforcement agencies in Saudi Arabia, where he developed expertise in dog handling and became a specialized troubleshooter for detection dogs experiencing sensory fatigue - a condition where detection dogs temporarily lose their ability to identify target scents due to overwork.[4]
After his tenure in Saudi Arabia, Stephen expanded his technical expertise through additional advanced training and practical experience in the United States, working specifically with:
This international experience provided Stephen with comprehensive knowledge across multiple canine disciplines and training methodologies applicable to various working dog breeds.
Professional establishment in Malaysia
Stephen returned to Malaysia in 1986 and established his first professional dog training center in Sungai Buloh. He later relocated the operation to its current expanded facility in Cheras, Selangor.[4] The current training grounds span approximately half a hectare, providing ample space for comprehensive dog training programs and canine behavioral modification.[4]
The center offers certification that meets both American, German and Dutch national standards for professional dog training, establishing a high benchmark for canine training in Malaysia and the surrounding region.[1] It is recognized as one of the top dog training schools in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.[2]
Training methodology and philosophy
Stephen emphasizes the importance of both dog and owner training in responsible pet keeping. He particularly stresses the necessity of basic obedience training for medium to large pedigree dogs, noting that many owners fail to consider this crucial aspect when acquiring dogs.[5]
He has developed distinctive proprietary training methodologies throughout his career that differentiate his approach from other canine training programs. His techniques are characterized by:
Emphasis on establishing strong handler-dog rapport as fundamental to successful training
Specialized rehabilitation techniques for aggressive or behaviorally challenged dogs
Focus on balancing practical skills with disciplined obedience[6]
According to Stephen, properly trained service dogs perform optimally only when paired with handlers who have established good rapport with them, highlighting the importance of the human-canine connection in professional working relationships and also dog intelligence is important.[4] He has particularly emphasized this philosophy when discussing the potential use of sniffer dogs by Malaysian law enforcement agencies to combat drug trafficking.[4][7]
His training programs typically achieve measurable results within 14-21 days, though this varies based on the individual dog's temperament, age, and training objectives.[6] Stephen is known for his ability to simultaneously handle and train multiple dogs (10+ dogs) during training sessions.[6][8][9]
Stephen provides specific guidance regarding dog encounters, noting that while the common advice to "stay still and avoid eye contact" may work with most strays, different strategies might be necessary when encountering certain pedigree breeds. He emphasizes that showing fear through trembling or squealing while maintaining position can actually encourage some dogs to attack.[5][10][11]
Industry impact and advocacy
Stephen has made significant contributions to professional dog training in Malaysia and the broader Southeast Asian region:
Training thousands of dogs throughout his extensive career[6]
Advocating for the integration of sniffer dogs into Malaysian law enforcement operations to enhance drug trafficking interdiction efforts[4]
Establishing professional standards for guard dog training in Asia
Developing certification protocols aligned with international standards
Providing specialized consultation services for security firms and law enforcement organizations
In a 2012 interview with Bernama, Stephen expressed that Malaysian law enforcement agencies could enhance their success against drug traffickers by employing specially-trained sniffer dogs. He noted that while X-ray machines are helpful, the ingenious methods used by drug mules make well-trained detection dogs an invaluable resource.[4]
Recent Achievements
In early 2025, Stephen achieved a significant milestone when the Malaysian Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) acquired several Belgian Malinois dogs trained by his center. These dogs are deployed at major entry points including KL International Airport to combat wildlife smuggling. The specialized sniffing team can detect various contraband including live creatures like snakes and wildlife products such as pangolin scales. Their deployment has reportedly led to a decrease in smuggling incidents at KLIA.[5]
Stephen has also highlighted the expanding applications of trained dogs, noting their potential in industrial settings such as detecting minute leaks in gas pipelines, though such specialized training currently needs to be conducted outside Malaysia and requires approximately three months of training.[5]
↑ "犬蒙 靈敏嗅覺媲美掃描器緝毒犬可提高破案率" [Dogs have a keen sense of smell comparable to scanners. Drug-sniffing dogs can improve the rate of solving crimes]. China Press (in Chinese). 2012.
↑ Liu, Jiehuan (16 May 2012). "司迪芬:塑造性格 其 是一個白帳,你要合成为何等性格,就看" [Stephen: Character building is a blank canvas. It depends on what character you want to create.]. Nanyang Siang Pau / Nanyang Daily (in Chinese). p.8.
↑ "வெளிநாடுகளில் கிடைக்கும் அங்கீகாரம் சொந்த நாட்டில் கிடைக்கவில்லையே" [Recognition received abroad is not available in one's own country]. Makkal Osai (in Tamil). 19 May 2012.
↑ "狗不教性乃愆" [If a dog is not taught, it is a sin]. China Press (in Chinese). 11 May 2012. p.26.
↑ Tan, Karr Wei (17 May 2012). "MPSJ may ban restricted dog breeds". StarMetro. p.3.
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