Tucker Pup's Dog Activity Center

Our Services > Training > Instructor

Top Five - Best Dog Trainer Category Our trainer Debbie was voted in the top five in the Best Dog Trainer category in 2007, 2008, and 2009 in the Chicagoland Tails Readers' Choice Awards. She was also voted as the 'Runner Up' in the Best Agility Instructor category in Chicagoland in the 2010. View all awards

Current Training Promotion:

Sign up for any of our 6-week training courses and receive a free night of boarding, free day of daycare, or 50% off your next grooming reservation. Does not apply to training competitions. View all promotions

Debbie Bickford

• Click here to view Debbie's website.



• Debbie is one of the premier trainers in Chicago. Her knowledge of dogs is unsurpassed, and her classes are well-known for being very lively, energetic, fun, and thought-provoking.



• She has helped over 5,000 pet parents train their dogs in the last six years in Chicago. Most of her current students are referrals from past students, Chicago area vets, and rescue organizations.



• Debbie received her Certificate in Training and Counseling (CTC), with honors, from the San Francisco SPCA Academy for Dog Trainers in 2000. Under the direction of world-renowned trainer and author Jean Donaldson ("The Culture Clash", "Dogs are from Neptune", "Fight", and "Mine"), this school has gained the reputation as the "Harvard for Dog trainers."



• Her studies in psychology at Hofstra University (NY), where she earned a four year BA degree, have played an integral part in her understanding of dog behavior and training.



• Debbie has been a member of the Association of Pet Dog Trainers (APDT) for 6 years. Founded in 1993 by Dr. Ian Dunbar (behaviorist, veterinarian, and author), the APDT is a professional organization of people who are committed to becoming better trainers through education. Membership has grown to over 5,000 trainers worldwide. They offer a unique opportunity for professional networking and sharing of ideas through conferences, membership directory, newsletters, seminars, and daily trainer e-mail discussions.



• Debbie is also an official evaluator for the AKC's Canine Good Citizen (CGC) program. She has conducted many CGC evaluations over the years and teaches CGC classes at Tucker Pup's. View more information on the CGC classes.



• View Debbie's staff bio on our website

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Additional Info

A Happy Customer

My dog Bugsy and I completed both the Polite Puppy and the Good Manners 1 and 2 classes with Debbie. Recently, I was asked by my mom to take her Chocolate Lab, Brutus, to a training class at a popular franchise, whose identity I will not disclose. Sh e had a few errands to run, so I agreed to help her out. Once Brutus and I arrived and his "training" began, I WAS SHOCKED!!! Hands down, no comparison!! They were aggressive in their teaching techniques and Brutus was clearly not responding. Mid-way through the class, I found myself using techniques that Debbie taught Bugsy and me, and we were getting better results! For example, in teaching the "heel," they instructed the owners to aggressively pull both the leash and the dog into the desired position. They later brought out a dog, who was wearing a shock collar, to demonstrate. Unlike Nigel (Debbie's dog, whom she uses to demonstrate) this dog appeared frightened, disheveled, and anxious! I was appalled!! I consider myself VERY lucky!! Thank you all for all that you have done!!

- Agatha Mankiewicz
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