Debbie Bickford

Debbie has worked as a professional dog trainer for over 20 years.

Her group classes are taught at For Your K9 - where she teaches Puppy, Basic, Canine Life and Social Skills/Canine Good Citizen, Tricks, and Rally Free.

Debbie is a long-time member of the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and the Pet Professional Guild.

She is one of just 70 trainers worldwide selected by Victoria Stilwell to hold the prestigious title of Victoria Stilwell Professional Dog Trainer – a global network of world-class positive reinforcement dog trainers personally approved by Victoria to ensure that dog owners have access to the most accomplished, professional, reward-based training option in their area.

She is an honors graduate of the Academy for Dog Trainers headed by world-renowned trainer & behavior specialist, Jean Donaldson. She received her CTC (certification in training and behavior counseling) from the Academy in 2000. The Academy's education in behavior, training, behavior modification, and teaching and counseling is widely considered to be unrivaled.

Debbie is an AKC CGC (canine good citizen) evaluator (for 20+ years), a Certified Canine Conditioning Coach, and a Certified Trick Dog Instructor. She has taught innovative tricks and circus dog classes for many years. Her tricks crews have performed tricks shows at For Your K9, the International Kennel Club's shows, and at assisted living facilities.

Debbie's own dog, a mixed breed named Pinky, trains in agility, rally-free, tricks, weight pulling and most importantly, how to lay down calmly and assist with demonstrations while Debbie teaches her classes. She's on her way to being a pro!

Her older pup (waiting for Debbie over the rainbow bridge), mixed breed Ludo, has appeared in commercials for Walmart and Gatorade and is a Champion Trick Dog.

Debbie is on the staff of Camp Dogwood, an overnight camp for owners and their dogs. She teaches a variety of classes including Coaching reactive dogs to success, Recall, Tricks, Rally free, Parkour, and many others through the years.