Professional Dog Trainers, Proven in the Field
We're not hobby trainers with a certificate from a weekend course. Major K-9 was built on operational K9 experience — and we bring that standard to every family dog in South Jersey.
Named for a K9 Who Served
Major K-9 takes its name from Major, a working K9 deployed to Fallujah, Iraq, whose training included work with the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service. Alongside Keko and Draco, our detection K9s have worked at the professional level across explosives, narcotics, bed bug and recovery disciplines.
That background shapes how we train family dogs: honest evaluations, control-first methods, positive reinforcement, and standards that hold up in the real world. We're also an official AKC evaluator for S.T.A.R. Puppy, Canine Good Citizen, Community Canine, Urban Canine and AKC Temperament Testing.
And because training should build community, we run $5 Saturday group classes at Saratoga Farms, the AKC Fit Dog Club, and K9 Scouts events across South Jersey.
Why South Jersey Trusts Major K-9
AKC Evaluator
Official evaluator for S.T.A.R. Puppy, CGC, CGCA, CGCU and AKC Temperament Testing — train and test in one place.
Operational K9 Experience
Detection and protection experience at the professional level, from military deployment to diplomatic security training.
Honest Assessments
Free evaluations with real timelines and real pricing. If a case needs veterinary behavior support, we say so.
Community Partners
Trusted partners including Playful Paws (board & train hosting), Garden State ARC and Sheepdog Security.
The People Behind Major K-9
Troy Sarro
Owner · Trainer · K9 Handler
Explosives Detection K9 handler and approved AKC Evaluator (#113060). Director of Operations at Sheepdog Security, former Fire Official and Lieutenant with East Newark FD, and former fugitive recovery agent — with DHS bombing-prevention and detection certifications running pages deep.
Barbara Taylor
Trainer · Office Manager · Booking
Former emergency veterinary technician at VCA Animal Hospital and former dog groomer — the medical-side eye that keeps every dog's health and safety front and center, and the person you'll talk to when you book.
The Dogs Behind the Name
Major
German Shepherd / Dutch Shepherd / Belgian Malinois mix, trained in explosives detection and protection for the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service since 8 months old. Deployed to Fallujah, Iraq at age one, running asset searches — trained on 16 explosive and firearm odors.
Keko
Lab/Whippet mix in training as a drug detection asset — learning to alert on cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, fentanyl, PCP and MDMA under handlers Troy and Barbara.
Draco
Belgian Malinois in training for bed bug detection and personal protection work — the newest member of the detection team.