


Professional Canine Styist Credentials
Become a Certified Pet Stylist
Program Overview
Earn your Professional Canine Stylist Diploma online in just 3 months! This program is designed for experienced pet groomers with under 5 years of experience who want to validate their skills, elevate their careers, and distinguish themselves in the pet grooming industry. The program aligns with IAPEG certification standards and does not require show trims.
Program Duration
Total Duration: 3 months (12 weeks)
Weekly Time Commitment
2-3 hours per week (flexible to fit a busy professional’s schedule)
Learning Objectives
Validate grooming expertise by earning the Professional Canine Stylist Diploma.
Develop foundational skills and techniques to stand out in the pet grooming industry.
Build confidence in professional grooming practices and client interactions.
Learn how to prepare for certification and professional growth in the grooming field.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, students will:
Receive their Professional Canine Stylist Diploma.
Be fully prepared to achieve IAPEG Certification as a grooming professional.
Possess a foundational portfolio showcasing their skills and knowledge.
Build confidence in their grooming techniques and customer service approach.
Gain the credentials to stand out and grow in the pet grooming industry.
Each cohort will be limited to 20 aspiring PCS. Program Start Dates 2025: February 3rd April 7th July 7th October 6th
After completing five years as a groomer, you can advance your title to Master Canine Stylist.
How to Enroll:
Click “Enroll Now” to pay the one-time enrollment fee
We’ll help you set up your payment plan
Enroll and begin training
Become a Certified Pet Stylist
Program Overview
Earn your Professional Canine Stylist Diploma online in just 3 months! This program is designed for experienced pet groomers with under 5 years of experience who want to validate their skills, elevate their careers, and distinguish themselves in the pet grooming industry. The program aligns with IAPEG certification standards and does not require show trims.
Program Duration
Total Duration: 3 months (12 weeks)
Weekly Time Commitment
2-3 hours per week (flexible to fit a busy professional’s schedule)
Learning Objectives
Validate grooming expertise by earning the Professional Canine Stylist Diploma.
Develop foundational skills and techniques to stand out in the pet grooming industry.
Build confidence in professional grooming practices and client interactions.
Learn how to prepare for certification and professional growth in the grooming field.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, students will:
Receive their Professional Canine Stylist Diploma.
Be fully prepared to achieve IAPEG Certification as a grooming professional.
Possess a foundational portfolio showcasing their skills and knowledge.
Build confidence in their grooming techniques and customer service approach.
Gain the credentials to stand out and grow in the pet grooming industry.
Each cohort will be limited to 20 aspiring PCS. Program Start Dates 2025: February 3rd April 7th July 7th October 6th
After completing five years as a groomer, you can advance your title to Master Canine Stylist.
How to Enroll:
Click “Enroll Now” to pay the one-time enrollment fee
We’ll help you set up your payment plan
Enroll and begin training
Become a Certified Pet Stylist
Program Overview
Earn your Professional Canine Stylist Diploma online in just 3 months! This program is designed for experienced pet groomers with under 5 years of experience who want to validate their skills, elevate their careers, and distinguish themselves in the pet grooming industry. The program aligns with IAPEG certification standards and does not require show trims.
Program Duration
Total Duration: 3 months (12 weeks)
Weekly Time Commitment
2-3 hours per week (flexible to fit a busy professional’s schedule)
Learning Objectives
Validate grooming expertise by earning the Professional Canine Stylist Diploma.
Develop foundational skills and techniques to stand out in the pet grooming industry.
Build confidence in professional grooming practices and client interactions.
Learn how to prepare for certification and professional growth in the grooming field.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the program, students will:
Receive their Professional Canine Stylist Diploma.
Be fully prepared to achieve IAPEG Certification as a grooming professional.
Possess a foundational portfolio showcasing their skills and knowledge.
Build confidence in their grooming techniques and customer service approach.
Gain the credentials to stand out and grow in the pet grooming industry.
Each cohort will be limited to 20 aspiring PCS. Program Start Dates 2025: February 3rd April 7th July 7th October 6th
After completing five years as a groomer, you can advance your title to Master Canine Stylist.
How to Enroll:
Click “Enroll Now” to pay the one-time enrollment fee
We’ll help you set up your payment plan
Enroll and begin training
“The Professional Canine Stylist program has been a great refresher after being out of the animal care industry for a few years. It’s given me the confidence to handle animals again and apply the lessons to real-world situations. Being part of this program is one of my biggest accomplishments, and I’m excited for what the future holds!”
How It Works:
Apply Online: Fill out a simple application form to get started.
Prepare: Utilize our comprehensive study materials and join our online study groups to ensure you're ready.
Schedule Your Test: Choose a testing date that fits your schedule.
Take the Online Test: Demonstrate your grooming expertise through a challenging, hands-on assessment of dogs of any coat quality.
Earn Your Diploma: Receive your professional diploma credentials upon passing the test.
Apply to the IAPEG, we submit in your GPA and Transcript from us and receive your IAPEG Certification!
Who Should Apply?
Are you an experienced career groomer ready to formalize your skills and take your expertise to the next level?
Do you aspire to become a Master Stylist, achieving advanced certification without the need for additional coursework?
Are you eager to stand out in a competitive market and unlock new career opportunities?
If this sounds like you, this program is tailored to help you achieve your professional goals.
Program Highlights:
Showcase Your Expertise: Prove your skills with a rigorous online test designed for professionals like you. If you have the experience, no additional coursework is needed.
Work on Your Schedule: Enjoy the flexibility to take the final test and submit your documentation at a time that works best for you.
Connect with Peers: Join online study groups where you can share insights, learn from others, and receive valuable support throughout the process.
Focus on Real-World Grooming: Demonstrate your abilities on everyday dogs without the need for show-quality coats, reflecting the practical work you do every day.
Earn a Prestigious Diploma: Receive an internationally recognized diploma from a licensed post-secondary school, showcasing your mastery in canine styling and boosting your career prospects.
Program Advisors
Bullet's lifelong dedication to animal care, coupled with diverse experience, makes her an asset to veterinary medicine and animal rescue. Her passion for pets and wildlife drives her tireless work to positively impact countless animal lives. Her journey from kennel help to licensed vet tech highlights her unwavering commitment to animal welfare and making a difference.
Her involvement in creative grooming competitions led her to establish the International Association for Pet Esthetics and Grooming (IAPEG). Under IAPEG, Bullet initiated programs for scientific knowledge and professional development for groomers worldwide.
Driven by her relentless pursuit of excellence, Bullet knew other niches within the grooming industry needed attention. Many groomers sought professional education in pet esthetics, amalgamating artistry science and a deep understanding of pet well-being. This realization led to a pivotal turning point in the organization's trajectory.
Recognizing the broader needs of the grooming industry, Bullet transformed the NAPCG into the International Association for Pet Esthetics and Grooming (IAPEG). Under her guidance, IAPEG has become a leading institution for professional development in pet esthetics, providing groomers with scientifically grounded information and empowering them to deliver exceptional care.
IAPEG provided scientific information to grooming professionals about the most volatile products available. The goal was to empower groomers with research and knowledge, so they could make informed decisions and provide exceptional care to their clients. Thanks to IAPEG, groomers no longer have to rely only on trial and error.
Bullet's global impact includes delivering workshops and lectures worldwide, notably becoming the first dog groomer to speak in Moscow, Russia. Her current focus remains to educate professional groomers enrolled at the WPGA, emphasizing premium service for their clients, and prioritizing safety.
Grooming became a passion quickly in 1986 when I was just starting in the pet industry. I was able to jump into the grooming industry through an apprenticeship in 1992 with Lori Charette at Aintree Kennels in Boxford Massachusetts. Due to not being able to find a suitable grooming position, I stayed on as a veterinarian technician till 1995 gaining many years of veterinarian skills that have been a tremendous help in both dog training and grooming. I had the joy of working with Lynn Travers, a well known Standard Poodle breeder in the New England region, where I learned all styles of poodle grooming for pets and shows.
I was one of the first housecall groomers and opened Happy Critters in 2000. I love grooming small, as I like to call them “my little behavior cases” and thrive when working them through fears, stress and anxiety. In October 2018, I started my podcast Creating Great Grooming Dogs that is hosted weekly on Tuesdays about where grooming and dog training meet. My show allowed me the opportunity to get noticed as an educator and opened doors to speaking for Barkleigh at grooming expos. I love teaching and look at dog training as logic puzzles and grooming is the art. As much as I love teaching, I love learning and geeking out with other dog professionals. The more knowledge I possess, the more I can give back to those I educate. One of my current hobbies is strong passion for Flyball with my current Border Collies Brok and Po. Flyball started for me with Isa in 2005 and over the years have been awarded numerous titles with my other dogs.
President and Founder
Dara Forleo is the founder of multiple entrepreneurial businesses.
She started The Whole Pet Grooming Academy, an arts and sciences school specializing in training professional pet stylists. She and her husband, Lee, created Come What May Racing, a Thoroughbred racehorse syndicate operation based in Kentucky and the Mid-Atlantic Region.
Dara has been recognized as Educator of the Year, Emerging Business Leader, and a Pet Age Icon Awards honoree for her experience and long-term contributions to the pet industry. She recently was top in her Executive Education Women's Leadership Program class at Yale University and had a B.A. in Business from Ottawa University. Her insights have been featured in multiple publications, and she often shares her expertise, speaking at conferences nationwide.
Dara has honed her education and experience over the last two decades culminating in her mentor program for business owners nationwide. Having experienced firsthand how being a successful business owner can give life to your dreams as with her Come What May Racing passion, she is uniquely suited to help any entrepreneur do the same.