Lori Bielawa

Owner of Waggles, LLC | Trainer and Instructor | Certified by the National Association of Dog Obedience Instructors (NADOI)

I began on the path to training in 1996, when my husband and I acquired a Weimaraner puppy that had behavioral issues. I went to my first obedience class and never left. After many obedience classes, private lessons and having fun with agility, I began shadowing the owner and instructors and worked my way up to instructing classes and private lessons. Long story short, and several years and 5 dogs later (1 Weimaraner and 4 German Shorthaired Pointers), I’ve competed in conformation, hunting (mostly Roger), rally obedience and obedience. I have obtained a Canadian Champion title, Junior Hunter titles, NAVHDA Prize I, and rally titles. My love, however, is agility. We completed many titles in agility, including Master Agility CHampion (“MACH”), and Hannah was in the top of her breed in 2007 and 2009, earning her invitations to the AKC AGILITY INVITATIONAL in Long Beach, CA in both of those years. We made the cross country trip in 2007. What an exciting trip it was, and what a spectacular event!!!

In May and October of 2009 we were devastated to lose our two old girls, Ripley and Kelly. Both were 13 years old. On May 15, 2015, we had to say good-bye to Hannah. She was just shy of 15 years. On April 12, 2019, we hugged and kissed our Riva for the last time. Riva earned her Junior Hunter title, Novice Water Retrieve title and she competed in the highest level of AKC agility. She was the last of our original four girls and her loss is felt on an extremely deep level.

Looking forward, it’s all about our already-4-year-old GSP, Ellie. This little monkey holds much promise in the world of agility. She strutted her stuff in May of 2019, running in NADAC's barrelers and tunnelers courses. She far exceeded my expectations for her first outdoor agility show. Our forward momentum was halted with the pandemic, but we continue to practice agility and look forward to getting back to competing soon. Ellie is also training for scent work. Sometimes you don’t really know just how fun a sport will be until you see your dog shine in that sport. I look forward to the day when we can make our debut in scent work. Until then, we continue to have a fun time with this girl in our home, at Waggles and in the woods (where she continues to amaze people with her movement, recalls and response to handlers).

After collecting degrees in Political Science and Civil & Environmental Engineering, I set out to become a professional dog trainer. Two months after the sudden death of my first dog, Magic (Hat), I was inspired to enroll in the Animal Behavior College Dog [ABC] Obedience Program to become a professional dog trainer. Luckily, I still had our English Pointer, Heady (Topper) to help me through my schooling. During the coursework phase of the program, we rescued Sipa (Sunshine) a 12-week-old Belgian Malinois/GSD.

I was placed at Waggles for my ABC internship and I met my mentor, Lori. The time spent together blossomed into a full-fledged dog-crazy obsession! Lori helped me develop the skills to become a well-rounded obedience trainer. I observed, took and taught classes and I was hooked. After graduating from ABC as a Certified ABCDT, I continued to work at Waggles to gain more hands on experience in teaching and instructing people and dogs.

Then came Agility. I currently run agility with Sipa, who, in the summer of 2020, earned her first NADAC titles. I also experienced the loss of my girl, Heady “Peds” this summer. This loss hit hard. She was my heart.

In late fall, we rescued Duncan (Donut), a sweet but devastatingly shy 7 month old pup. Our goal for Duncan is to help him gain confidence and comfort in his new home.

Currently, I teach the Puppy Obedience classes, assist in the Basic Obedience classes and help with the Day Training Program. I hear my next step is to help with Agility classes.

Friend, please don’t mourn for me
I’m still here, though you don’t see.
I’m right by your side each night and day
and within your heart I long to stay.

My body is gone but I’m always near.
I’m everything you feel, see or hear.
My spirit is free, but I’ll never depart
as long as you keep me alive in your heart.

~Author Unknown