Bielakiewicz, Gerilyn J. 1968–

PERSONAL: Born 1968, in Malden, MA; daughter of Philip and Geraldine (Pilch) DiMattia; married Paul S. Bielakiewicz; children: Mark, Eric. Ethnicity: "Italian/Irish/Polish." Education: Boston College, B.S.; Association of Pet Dog Trainers, C.P.D.T. Religion: Roman Catholic.

ADDRESSES: Home—71 Clinton St., Malden, MA 02148. Office—Canine University, Malden, MA 02148. E-mail—[email protected].

CAREER: Canine University, Malden, MA, co-owner and dog trainer, 1992–. Paws with a Cause (service dog placement and training firm), field instructor.

MEMBER: Association of Pet Dog Trainers, Yankee Golden Retriever Club, Golden Retriever Club of America.

WRITINGS:

The Everything Dog Training and Tricks Book: Turn the Most Mischievous Canine into a Well-behaved Dog Who Knows a Few Tricks, Adams Media (Avon, MA), 2002.

(With Paul S. Bielakiewicz) The Everything Golden Retriever Book: A Complete Guide to Raising, Training, and Caring for Your Golden, Adams Media (Avon, MA), 2004.

The Only Dog Training Book You'll Ever Need, Adams Media (Avon, MA), 2004.

SIDELIGHTS: Gerilyn J. Bielakiewicz told CA: "My primary motivation for writing is to educate the average dog owner on kind methods for training his or her dog. My goal is to inform the dog-owning public that there is a better way to have a great companion. I have written formatted books that required discipline and brevity, neither of which I particularly excel at. I learned a lot.

"The dogs were my inspiration, as well as reflections of myself coaching new, struggling dog owners that I encounter. The more well educated the people, the better the dogs.

"I have always been able to write well and communicate my ideas in an easy-to-read style. I love when the words just flow and get frustrated when I have too much to say and too little space in which to say it.

"My clients influence my work a great deal. I find it particularly challenging to simplify complex issues for busy and frustrated new dog owners. I love when something I write really hits home for someone and they have that 'I get it' moment.

"I really like The Everything Golden Retriever Book because it contains a lot of novel and unique ideas that are not common to most of the mainstream training books. I'm pleased that the entire book is about positively based training methods and techniques. I like the message it brings to the general public: raising a dog to be a polite companion does not have to involve archaic methods that do more harm then good. Owning a dog (especially a Golden) should be joyful. If I gave that idea to even one person then I feel it worked.

"I want people to enjoy their dogs. I would like them to think a little more like a dog when they are done reading my books, and be eager to train and teach their dogs something new."