Action K9 Sports — Dog Training in Escondido, CA

Action K9 Sports is a dog training business in Escondido, California offering private lessons, working from a dedicated training facility. They publish pricing from $60 per session to $80 per session and have been in business for 40+ years.

Escondido, CA • Training facility • 4.5 ★ (65 Google reviews)

Verified listing

Last reviewed: Sep 5, 2026

Transparency Score

58 / 100

Moderately transparent

How clearly this listing publishes the details owners need. See our methodology.

Price transparency: 100%
Method transparency: 0%
Program clarity: 50%

About Action K9 Sports

Based on what the business publishes about itself

Terry Parrish founded this Escondido facility in 1985 after years working cattle ranches and managing her own commercial sheep flock. According to the business's website, she helped establish the American Herding Breed Association, which opened herding competition to breeds not traditionally recognized for the work. She has judged AKC and AHBA trials since their inception and helped design AHBA courses. The site notes she has been featured on Animal Planet and various Southern California media outlets.

Action K9 Sports operates on a 6-acre property near the San Diego Safari Park, with multiple arenas, open fields, and what they describe as 150 head of sheep for training and trials. They state it was the first private facility in California to host herding trials, previously only held at fairgrounds or equestrian centers. The site claims they hosted the first USBCHA-sanctioned cattle dog trial in the western U.S. and the first USBCHA Nursery trial in California.

The instructional team includes Rich Godfrey, described as having nearly two decades of herding experience and credentials as an AKC and AHBA judge, and Steve Kilgore, who currently competes with his McNab Shepherd in herding trials. Their stated approach emphasizes teaching owners to work their own dogs, using body cues and understanding sheep behavior. They offer private lessons for dogs from six months to ten years old, instinct testing for beginners, and continue hosting sanctioned trials at the property.

What dog training programs does Action K9 Sports offer?

Herding lessons are the specialty here, open to dogs between 6 months and 10 years old. Action K9 Sports offers weekly, bi-weekly, and drop-in scheduling options, all focused on building obedience and off-leash recall through stock work.

Herding Lessons (3 options)

Action K9 Sports publishes 3 versions of this program. The table shows how they differ; anything not listed here was not stated in their materials.

Private Lessons options at Action K9 Sports
Option	Length	Price	What differs
Herding Lessons — Weekly	Not stated	$60 per session	For herding-breed dogs and their owners, from beginners to experienced handlers, ages 6 months to 10 years.; Dogs from age 6 months to 10 years
Herding Lessons — Bi-Week	Not stated	$70 per session	For herding-breed dogs and owners looking for less frequent lesson scheduling.; Dogs from age 6 months to 10 years
Herding Lessons — Drop-In	Not stated	$80 per session	For herding-breed dogs and owners who prefer occasional, unscheduled lessons.; Dogs from age 6 months to 10 years

Herding Lessons — Weekly

Owner and dog attend private lessons in pens, arenas, or open fields, progressing to larger areas as skills improve.

Herding Lessons — Bi-Week

Owner and dog attend private lessons every other week in pens, arenas, or open fields.

Herding Lessons — Drop-In

Owner and dog attend a single drop-in private lesson in pens, arenas, or open fields.

How much does Action K9 Sports cost?

Sessions run $60 for weekly clients, $70 for bi-weekly, and $80 for drop-ins. The pricing rewards commitment, with regular attendees paying less per lesson than those who schedule occasionally.

Private Lessons pricing

Private Lessons pricing at Action K9 Sports in Escondido, CA
Program	Price	Length
Herding Lessons — Weekly	$60 per session	Not stated
Herding Lessons — Bi-Week	$70 per session	Not stated
Herding Lessons — Drop-In	$80 per session	Not stated

Consultations and evaluations

Herding Instinct Test: $104 per session

What training methods does Action K9 Sports use?

Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not state which training method Action K9 Sports uses.

Public materials reviewed by Barklen do not specify which training tools are used.

Who runs Action K9 Sports?

As described in the business's own materials

Terry Parrish, Founder & Operator

According to their site, terry began herding at a working cattle ranch, later managed her own commercial sheep flock and has taught herding full-time since 1991. She has judged AKC and AHBA trials since their inception, helped design AHBA courses, and has been featured on TV, radio, and in newspapers including Animal Planet.

Credentials listed on their site: AKC Herding Judge, AHBA Herding Judge, and AHBA course designer. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Rich Godfrey, Instructor

According to their site, rich has nearly two decades of experience training, trialing, and teaching herding, working with dogs of all breeds. He is a Vietnam-era Navy veteran who later spent 38 years as a med tech at a VA hospital.

Credentials listed on their site: AKC Herding Test and Trial Judge and AHBA Herding Test and Trial Judge. Barklen has not independently verified these.

Steve Kilgore, Instructor

According to their site, steve has trained and titled dogs across multiple disciplines including retrieving, obedience, and herding. He currently competes with his AKC Herding Champion McNab Shepherd, Ellie, in AKC and AHBA trials.

Where does Action K9 Sports offer dog training?

Action K9 Sports operates from a dedicated training facility in Escondido, CA, offering private lessons.

Their site says they serve owners of any herding breed dog, from complete beginners to experienced trial handlers, working with dogs from 6 months to 10 years old.

The facility sits on 6 acres of land in Escondido, California, across from the San Diego Safari Park, close to the 15 Freeway.

Parking and accessibility details aren't published.

How does Action K9 Sports compare with other Escondido dog trainers?

Barklen analysis

Barklen analysis based on 5 published Escondido listings (16 with published pricing). These comparisons are computed by Barklen, not claims made by Action K9 Sports.

Price: entry price below the published Escondido range for private lessons ($60–$80 vs. $62–$78).

Reviews: 4.5★ from 65 Google reviews, among 5 published Escondido programs.

Transparency: 58 out of 100 (moderately transparent), with 100% price transparency and 50% program clarity. 2 of 5 Escondido listings show certifications; this business does not list any.

Published prices at Action K9 Sports compared with Escondido ranges
Program type	Action K9 Sports	Escondido range	Barklen read
Private Lessons	$60–$80	$62–$78 across 3 Escondido programs	Entry price below the published Escondido range

What should you ask Action K9 Sports before booking?

Generated from what their public materials leave open

Ask which certifications their trainers hold and who issued them.
Ask for proof of liability insurance.
Ask which training methods they use and whether aversive tools are part of the program.
Ask how many dogs each trainer handles at once.
Ask about current availability and whether there is a waitlist.

Location and hours

15671 Old Milky Way, Escondido, CA

Hours are not published in the materials Barklen reviewed. Confirm before visiting.

How Barklen reviewed this listing

Barklen reviewed Action K9 Sports against the business's public materials and published this listing. That is not a check of licenses, insurance, or certifications. See our methodology for what a verified listing does and does not mean.

Details the public materials do not address (training method, aggression and reactivity cases, owner visits during programs, progress updates, overnight staffing, insurance, and others) are turned into the questions above rather than filled in.

Last reviewed by Barklen: Sep 5, 2026