Dog training field at Metro K9 Academy, serving Somerset County, NJ

German Shepherd after dog training at Metro K9 Academy, Somerset County NJ

Looking for dog training in Somerset County, NJ? Metro K9 Academy trains dogs and the people who live with them, from our facility at 570 Mine Brook Road in Bernardsville. For Somerset County families in Bridgewater, Hillsborough, Warren, and Somerville, that means professional training close to home, not a long drive to someone you found on page three of a search.

Pulls on the leash. Won’t come when called. Reactive on walks. Most dogs don’t need more correction. They need clearer communication and a plan their owner can keep up at home. That’s what we build.

Training Programs for Somerset County Dogs

Semi-private training: Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Individual attention, hands-on owner coaching and practice around other dogs and real distractions.
Private lessons: one-on-one training built around your dog and your goals. Good for specific problems or busy schedules.
Board & Train: your dog lives and trains at our facility with daily professional sessions (minimum three-week stay), then we teach you to handle the dog the same way.
Family personal protection: obedience first, always. Protection work only after the foundation is solid.

Why Local Owners Choose Metro K9

Robert Gierla has been developing dogs for more than 35 years. We breed and raise German Shepherds and Dobermans, so we train with the same standard we hold our own dogs to: calm in the house, capable when it matters. We train all breeds, not just our own.

Getting Here

We’re in Bernardsville on Route 202, a short drive from most of Somerset County by Route 202 or I-287. Semi-private classes run on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, so most clients can fit training around work.

German Shepherd and Doberman Puppies near Somerset County

Families in Somerset County also come to us for well-bred puppies and trained adult dogs. See our German Shepherd puppies, Doberman puppies, current and upcoming litters and trained dogs for sale. We also offer the AKC S.T.A.R. Puppy program for our puppies.

What Our Clients Say

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 52 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Mary Loponte 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I honestly don’t know how to put into words how much this place means to me.

After going through domestic violence, my home (the place that is supposed to feel safe) no longer felt that way. I lived with a level of fear and anxiety that is difficult to explain to someone who hasn’t experienced it. Bringing my German Shepherd to Bobby for protection training has given me something I desperately needed...a sense of security and confidence.

Bobby is truly exceptional at what he does. His skill, knowledge, patience, and understanding of dogs are remarkable. He knows how to bring out the very best in a dog while building discipline, confidence, and trust. Watching the transformation in my dog has been incredible, and I have so much respect for the way Bobby approaches his work.

More than anything, I’m grateful for what his training has given me personally. Under Bobby’s instruction, I feel safe being in my home again. That feeling is something I worried I would never get back.

I will always be grateful to Bobby for helping me and my dog become a team and giving me back a feeling of safety that I thought I'd lost. I would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for an exceptionally skilled trainer or an outstanding dog.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   J.D 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I have to say, I’ve been through multiple trainers, and I can honestly say that working with Bobby has been a completely different experience. From the very beginning, I’ve seen nothing but genuine obedience, progress, and positive change.

My German Shepherd is a very high-energy, with a very strong prey drive , she is very strong, intelligent, and loving dog. She can be challenging, and before working with Bobby, I didn’t always feel confident that I had the control and understanding I needed. But with every training session, not only has my dog become more confident, I have become more confident as a handler.

Bobby is compassionate, funny, patient, incredibly knowledgeable, and truly amazing at what he does. Anyone can say they have experience, but experience means very little without the knowledge, skill, and results to back it up. Bobby has all of that and more.

What stands out most to me is that Bobby doesn’t just train dogs , he teaches the people who love them. He has helped me better understand my dog, communicate with her, and build a relationship based on trust, structure, and confidence.

My family and I are incredibly grateful for everything you’ve done for us, Bobby. You’re not only helping keep me and my family safe, but you’re also teaching my dog how to be safe, and most importantly confident!

Thank you for your dedication, your patience, and everything you bring to every training session. We truly appreciate you and everything you do.

A great trainer can change a dog. An exceptional trainer changes the entire relationship between a dog and their family. Bobby has done exactly that for us. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🐾💜🐕
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   tiffany bang bang 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I am so thankful for my protection K9 from Metro K9, and I couldn’t be happier with my experience. From the beginning, the team was professional, knowledgeable, and very helpful throughout the entire process.

The K9 I received has an excellent temperament, strong obedience, and a great balance between being a family companion and a serious protection dog. You can tell the amount of time, experience, and effort that goes into selecting and training these dogs.

What really stood out to me was the quality of the training and the support I received as an owner. Metro K9 didn’t just hand me a dog and send me on my way—they made sure I understood how to handle and work with my K9 properly.

I’m extremely happy with my K9 and would absolutely recommend Metro K9 to anyone looking for a professionally trained protection dog. Great experience from start to finish. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
  
 
        Posted on Google  
   
   kayla healy 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Bobby is undeniably one of the best trainers I have ever encountered. Our 2 yr old German Shepard had issues with other dogs and some obedience issues. We sent him to Metro K9’s boarding program and when we got him back he was a completely different dog. He is now able to walk past dogs with no issue, has phenomenal leash training and great obedience.

Bobby is incredibly knowledgeable with the breed and taught my family and I many things. We have continued to bring our German Shepard back to him for refreshers and basic concerns and questions we have had. He’s always made us feel welcomed and has never passed judgement. He not only wants to help our dog he wants to help us as well.

From my experience Bobby takes time in explaining each command and when to correctly use them. He explains your dog’s body language, the meaning , and the outcome. Most importantly he leads with compassion. I’ve never once felt belittled or a terrible owner. I’ve only ever left feeling supported and smarter than when I walked in.

All together Metro K9 has made me and my family feel supported and confident with our German Shepard. I thank Bobby and Metro K9 for their continued support. I will continue to work with them and I encourage others to do so as well.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Mare M 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We purchased our koda 5 years ago.  Best friend. Protector…. Our mom’s in the 90s. And our grandkids are always guarded and loved w care    I highly recommend.

Mary b.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Samantha Findlay 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Could not recommend Metro K9 Academy more. I brought my dog to build confidence and the changes he made I could have never done without the guidance, support, and expertise of Bobby and the whole team. Watching my dogs confidence grow and seeing him take on the world with less fear will always be worth every penny. I will be returning for sure for refreshers and future training needs.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Lauren Marquardt 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Bob and the team at Metro K9 are outstanding! It is a true commitment and partnership to have him train not only your dog, but also you and your family. He invests a lot of time and resources into customizing a tailored plan to address your needs and goals.  We noticed significant improvements each week. Now several weeks later after completing the program, we truly have a different dog. Bob is extremely knowledgeable, professional, and communicated effectively every step of the way. Our family highly recommends him and his services for all of your training needs.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Robert C 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I purchased my German Shepherd from Bobby and Metro K9 Academy last year.  I had training done with Bobby and took my female Shepherd home at 4 months of age.  Right from the very start i noticed this German Shepherd was calm and very attentive and obedient.  I should mention that i have had 4 previous German Shepherds from other breeders and none had the disposition and calmness that this dog possessed.  It is now at the 1 year mark and my dog is by far the best Shepherd i have owned and very family oriented and calm but at the same time protective of the house and my property.  She is extremely obedient and friendly when i am out with her at my grandchildren's sporting events.  i cant say enough about the Metro K9 Academy and the staff.  I would highly recommend this breeder/trainer for anyone interested in getting a calm/protective German Shepherd.