Metro K9 specializes in working-line German Shepherds and Dobermans, along with professional dog training programs designed to develop stable, reliable dogs. For more than 30 years, our work has centered on one principle: dogs should be bred, raised, and prepared to live calmly and reliably with people.
Our reputation has been built over time through consistency, transparency, and dogs that perform well not just in training, but in real life.
How Metro K9 Began
Metro K9 Academy began with a simple obsession: dogs—and what they’re capable of when they’re raised with structure and trained with clarity. Bobby Gierla built the program through hands-on work, learning how dogs think, how they respond under pressure, and what it takes to create reliable behavior in the real world.
As the years went on, Metro K9 became more than “training.” It became a development program—where dogs are shaped from the start with routine, exposure, and clear communication, so they’re prepared to succeed in the environments they’ll actually live in.
Why Family-Owned Matters
Being family-owned allows Metro K9 to remain:
- Selective, not volume-driven
- Personally involved in every dog raised or placed
- Consistent in standards across breeding, development, and training
We live and work on-site, which means dogs are observed daily in real environments—not rotated through anonymous systems.
Our Role Today
Today, Metro K9 Academy focuses on:
- Breeding and developing German Shepherds and Dobermans
- Placing puppies, started juveniles, and trained adult dogs
- Supporting owners through structured dog training programs
- Providing specialized K9 services where appropriate
Every program begins with evaluation. Not every dog or household is the right fit—and that selectivity is intentional.
The Metro K9 Training Philosophy
Professional dog training is built on structure, clarity, and consistency between the dog and the handler.
At Metro K9 Academy, training focuses on developing dogs that remain calm and reliable in real-world environments—not just controlled training sessions. Dogs are exposed to new environments, distractions, and structured routines so they learn how to behave confidently in everyday situations.
Whether the goal is obedience, working-dog development, or family-protection training, the process begins with understanding the dog’s temperament and the owner’s expectations. When both are aligned, training becomes clearer and long-term success becomes far more predictable.
A Long-Term Commitment
Metro K9 does not disappear after placement. We remain involved to support clarity, handling, and responsible ownership over time.
Founder Bobby Gierla describes the program simply:
“We start with community and finish with families who feel safe and confident. Whether we’re raising puppies, placing trained protection dogs, or helping owners build clarity at home, the goal is always the same: calm dogs, clear expectations, and real-life results. We don’t rush the process, and we don’t disappear after placement. We put in the work, stay involved, and earn trust over time—because that’s what responsible dog ownership deserves.” — Bobby Gierla, Founder & Head Trainer
Serving New Jersey & Nationwide Placement
Metro K9 Academy is based in Randolph, New Jersey, and provides professional dog training, working-line German Shepherd and Doberman puppies, and trained dogs for families and professionals throughout the state. We also offer guided nationwide placement for dogs developed through our program.
Associations and Registrations
Metro K9 Academy maintains active involvement in recognized working-dog and breed organizations, including Service Dogs of America, Schutzhund USA, American Working Dog Federation, the Schaeferhund Verein (SV), and the American Kennel Club (AKC).
All dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club, and breeding decisions are made with attention to health testing, structure, and temperament—not trends.
Get to Know Metro K9
Call or text Bobby at 201-230-2285 to learn more about Metro K9 Academy, our dog training programs, and available German Shepherd and Doberman puppies.