Debbie Bickford, CTC
Staff Trainer
A For Your K9 instructor since 2013, Debbie Bickford teaches puppy I, basic obedience, tricks, canine life and social skills, and Canine Good Citizen. She has worked as a professional dog trainer for over 20 years and loves seeing her human and canine students’ bond and make progress with their goals.
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.
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, mixed breed Ludo, has appeared in commercials for Walmart and Gatorade and is a Champion Trick Dog. Debbie loves traveling with her dogs, camping, gardening, needle felting and crafting in her spare time, and is on the staff of Camp Dogwood, an overnight camp for owners and their dogs.