Metro K9 Academy is a family-owned dog training and working-dog development program based in Bernardsville, New Jersey. For more than 35 years, our focus has been on developing stable, reliable dogs through thoughtful breeding, structured training, and careful placement.
Our program specializes in working-line German Shepherds and Dobermans raised and trained to perform confidently in real-world environments, not just controlled training settings.
That means steady temperaments, clear expectations, and dogs that can live calmly and reliably in everyday environments: at home, in public, and when it matters most.
Every dog is evaluated for steadiness in both family settings and working dog environments before placement.
Owner & Head Trainer
Meet the Trainer: Robert Gierla
Robert Gierla has trained dogs, and the people who handle them, for more than 35 years. He founded Metro K9 Academy and still runs it day to day from our facility in Bernardsville, New Jersey, where his family lives and works alongside the dogs.
His work covers the full range: family companions, sport and competition dogs, police K9 foundations, and family protection. That range shapes how the program works. Robert breeds for the same qualities he trains for: stable nerves, a clear head, and a dog that can switch off. Dogs from his own vom Haus Gierla line, including our stud Aurum and Aurum’s sire Clyde, are part of the program today.
Robert uses Schutzhund (IGP) as a breeding standard, not just a sport. It tests a dog’s temperament and clarity under pressure, and it tells him which dogs should be bred.
Away from the training field, Robert teaches K9 awareness and safety seminars for utility and delivery teams, including PSE&G in New Jersey and Long Island, American Water, SUEZ, and UPS. He keeps learning, too, attending seminars and working with respected trainers in the field.
Robert at a Glance
- 35+ years training dogs and handlers
- Owner & Head Trainer, Metro K9 Academy, Bernardsville, NJ
- Breeds working-line German Shepherds (AKC and SV registered) and European Dobermans (AKC and FCI registered)
- Trains family companions, sport dogs, police K9 foundations, and protection dogs
- K9 awareness seminars for PSE&G, American Water, SUEZ, and UPS
- Active with Service Dogs of America, Schutzhund USA, the American Working Dog Federation, the SV, and the AKC
Working with Robert
When you ask about a puppy, Robert answers personally, usually within 48 hours. Training and protection clients start with a free evaluation, so he can see your dog before recommending a program. His approach is simple: be honest about fit, train for real life, and stay involved after your dog goes home.
Or call or text 201-230-2285.
Breeding, Development & Placement Come First
Metro K9 specializes in German Shepherds and Dobermans, bred and developed with temperament, health, and long-term suitability as the priority. We are intentionally selective about the dogs we raise and place.
Our breeding philosophy focuses on:
- Stable nerves and clear heads
- Sound structure and health testing
- Dogs suited for family life, work, or both
Every placement is guided thoughtfully to ensure the right match between dog and household.
Training as Proof, Not the Product
Training supports and confirms our breeding and placement standards. Through structured, real-world training, dogs learn clarity, confidence, and predictable behavior while owners learn how to maintain that progress at home.
Training is never rushed or generic. Programs are tailored to the dog, the handler, and the environment they will live in.
Our approach emphasizes:
- Real-life proofing beyond the training field
- Clear communication
- Fair structure and consistency
Who We Work With
Metro K9 works with:
- Families seeking a calm, reliable companion
- Professionals with elevated security or working needs
- Organizations requiring specialized K9 services
- Owners committed to responsible handling and long-term success
Not every dog or owner is the right fit for every program, and suitability is always evaluated first.
Where Our Dogs Train
Our facility supports structured development with:
- A full-size working field
- Obstacle and agility areas
- Clean indoor and outdoor kennels
- Quiet evaluation and training spaces
Dogs are developed in environments that reflect real-world conditions, not just controlled settings.
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. Robert 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 an evaluation. Not every dog or household is the right fit, and that selectivity is intentional.
A Long-Term Commitment
Metro K9 does not disappear after placement. We remain involved to support clarity, handling, and responsible ownership over time.
Founder Robert 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.” — Robert Gierla, Founder & Head Trainer
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.
Serving New Jersey & Nationwide Placement
Based in Bernardsville, NJ, Metro K9 serves clients throughout New Jersey and offers guided nationwide placement for puppies and trained dogs. Support does not end at pickup. We remain available to help owners maintain clarity and confidence long after placement.
Start with a Conversation
Call or text 201-230-2285 to learn more about Metro K9 Academy, our breeding philosophy, and whether our programs are the right fit for you.
Browse our Available Dogs • Training Programs • Services
We are proud to work alongside trusted local partners. See our collaborations with Kelly’s K9s, Bernardsville K9 Resort and Spa, and Jersey Raw.