My 9 month old Griff pup and I recently worked with George and it was time well spent. I appreciate George's style and method of working with dogs as he really connects with both dog and owner. It
was hard to get my pup to go back home with me. George knows how to bring out the natural instincts in a dog without diminishing their hunting drive. George loves his work and it shows.
#32
Wayne Morrow (Wayne.morrow@gmail.com)(Friday, 11 February 2022 16:26)
George:
Like you, I’ve loved and lived with a variety of pups. And as I gather a little wisdom I begin to understand how too often a certain behavioral rigidity and rote thinking has been running my
sincerely good intentions.
I recently read your Old Dogs article in Versatile Hunting Dog - and found myself deeply moved.
I’m currently reading Tips and Tails - and at night as I drifting off I find myself savoring your teachings and developing my Amazon rave review.
Suffice to say, I appreciate what you’re sharing and how you’re going about saying it: an Invaluable Heads Up about the critical important of paying attention, and listening: loving our dog rather
than our ego.
Today I came upon a article summarizing a very recent long term study of the negative impact that certain very controlling preschool programs have on kids, and was in that way reminded of the
critical importance of paying attention and guiding with a gentle hand.
When you write the next edition of your book, please consider reminding your reader that perhaps the pups who appear to react badly to being overworked, pushed too hard too soon are ‘the canary in
our coal mine’.
Great Work, George. Thank you for sharing this fundamental truth along with the tools to teach cooperative canine/humankind communication.
Wayne
#31
Dan Brodkey(Friday, 01 October 2021 10:51)
Over the last 25+ years, I have owned and run 5 dogs (3 different short haired pointing breeds) and over the last 10 years I've focused only on rescued dogs. I have worked with fine trainers in
several states, but have especially enjoyed working with George at his ranch. Rescues present a particular training challenge - their backgrounds are usually unknown - and George has been methodical
and careful as we introduced my new GSP female to birds and gunshot. She is well on the way to becoming a terrific partner, really gratifying given her history as a rescue dog. Deep thanks to George
for his knowledge, experience and love of dogs!
#30
keith(Tuesday, 28 September 2021 13:13)
Worked with George today who was so accommodating so close to hunting season. Such a nice guy with knowledge consistent with his years of training dogs. He had a gentle easy way of relating to my
Griff and explained all without attitude or ego. He answered all my questions and gave me easy to follow instructions to allow me to continue my training independently. I have had experiences with 3
other trainers throughout the years and George outshines them all! I will definitely be returning , and would reccommend George to anyone for training any breed.
#29
Mike Modica(Friday, 27 August 2021 10:21)
Spent a Saturday morning with George at his ranch last weekend. My son expressed interest in bird hunting and a mutual friend put us in touch. George is a class act - he took time out of his weekend
to let us see his dogs work, give us an overview of bird hunting, dog training, his property. All of this while making connections with both of my kids that got them excited and interested. Could not
thank you more, George! Look forward to seeing you again.
#28
Steve Sauer(Thursday, 12 August 2021 14:45)
I just got home from an amazing week in the great northwest and now have time to reflect on our great adventure. First and foremost was the unbelievable dog training seminar. I wanted to start by
saying my father, Dash and myself would like to say THANK YOU to you, your staff/family/friends, and all the presenters. Thanks for letting us: be a part of such an amazing event, letting us use your
beautiful land, training facility, equipment, all your knowledge, tips and TIME including all the behind the scenes work and HOURS to make such a great event run so smoothly.
Thanks to yourself and everyone else including but not limited too: George (amazing dog trainer), Dr. Baxter (great Veterinarian), Levi (outdoor and fitness guru), Family/Friends (Marlene, Tom, Kate,
all are amazing behind the scene helpers and GREAT chefs, who never get all the notoriety they deserve). I want you all to know that I believe I speak for most of us, but certainly myself when I say
you all are much more than your titles, you all are WONDERFUL people! You all took so much of your personal time from your busy lives and family to put on such a great event in hopes to help us learn
and have a great time. I want you all to know you definitely succeeded as I know I learned a lot, but more importantly you all inspired me to continue to create a better BOND and hopefully better
train my 4 legged family member.
I believe you all did this by showing your true colors on how much you care for and love your hunting dogs. Some of my more memorable moments include but are not limited too: your heart felt stories
of some of the dogs you’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of. It was great to see a dog trainer with so much love for all the dogs, I am truly inspired. Thanks for sharing stories that brought
you to tears. I believe you hit the nail on the head when you said unfortunately we do not get enough time on Earth with these amazing creatures. Also, thanks for Levi’s and Dr. Baxters amazing
presentations and stories. Levi has me awe-inspired as such an adventurous outdoorsman. Others include the wonderful dog work with the younger/timid Griff at the pond (amazing to watch such a HUGE
transformation take place right in front of my eyes), the amazing EXCITEMENT and work of Margaux (the hunting Legend), the perfect dog work of CK all weekend long, and the amazing hand signal work of
Momma Cota. Thanks again to all for your time and efforts. I recommend this awesome event to every bird dog lover. I feel very fortunate to have been able to attend this awesome event.
#27
Trish & Tom Kieckhafer(Monday, 19 July 2021 16:18)
We were some of the lucky few to attend George’s “ Train the Trainer” seminar this weekend. The format, presentations, demonstrations, and sharing between owners was inspiring and incredible. We
learned so many nuances to training, care and testing that our minds are still processing it all a day later. Truly truly one of the best experiences of my life.
#26
Luke VandenBrink(Monday, 24 May 2021 12:58)
Gus (my almost 3 year WPG) and I came to train with George at his Bird Dog Paradise in ID. We were training on a session by session basis, focused around reestablishing Gus's point. Being a novice
dog trainer, and upland hunter, I had done everything wrong in terms of getting Gus to hold point. He had developed a bad case of "chase that bird or anything else that moves to the next county". He
also hunted a lot of waterfowl before becoming a proficient upland dog. We ended up doing 4 sessions and by the end of the 4th he held point for over 2 minutes and only broke once we flushed the
bird. Could not be more pleased with my experience with George as well as the results. He is passionate about bird dogs, training, but also was willing to help train me (the most difficult part of
the process) would highly recommend him as a trainer and person.
#25
Dennis Daw(Tuesday, 24 November 2020 10:46)
Agi is hunting and pointing like a champ, and I owe it to George and his amazing skills. I worked with George in September and he helped me bring out the natural hunting instinct my dog had. Now
instead of running around like she has no idea what to do, she is pointing birds that other dogs have missed. This past weekend my son and I were hunting a WMA. It was pretty busyl. We came into an
opening and there were three other hunters all with dogs that had just walked through the area. We waited a couple of minutes to let them get further away and then cut across the field to go in a
different direction. Agi locked up on a pheasant that all three of those other dogs had missed. Thanks George, it is very rewarding to watch my dog perform.
#24
Christian Hansen(Sunday, 27 September 2020 22:35)
I am a first-time gun dog owner who hunts upland and waterfowl. I brought my 13 month-old Pudelpointer to George DeCosta in August to get him ready for his NAVHDA Natural Ability (NA) test and first
hunting season.
Training with George has been an amazing learning experience. He constructed a training plan based on my interests and my dog's needs. We finished my dog's gunfire introduction, including shooting
birds over him. We went through drills to prepare us for the three parts of the NA test. These drills worked on improving my dog's searching, steadiness on point, tracking and general cooperation. I
was astounded at how quickly my Pudelpointer learned and progressed; he showed improvement with nearly every drill. George also worked on my handler skills, showing me how to evaluate my dog's
performance, interpret his body language, handle him on point (approach, body positioning, flushing the bird) and how to get him consistently into the water.
George DaCosta is a dynamic and experienced trainer who knows how to train gun dogs and their handlers. He has a tremendous store of gun dog, hunting and NAVHDA test knowledge and is happy to share
it. He has a great facility with fields and ponds that often used for NAVHDA testing. I highly recommend training with him.
#23
Dennis Daw(Thursday, 03 September 2020 15:35)
I have a three and half year old griff that I have been attempting to train myself, and I have been struggling with getting my dog to point birds. I swallowed my pride and reached out to George. He
was very patient with all my questions. I have been training with George for several weeks now and the progress is absolutely amazing. George's knowledge of how to train a dog is amazing. Even more
impressive than that his patience and help with training me. In a few short weeks he has transitioned my dog from a really good companion to a working field dog, that doubles as a good companion.
George is amazing and I highly recommend him for your dog training needs.
#22
Levi Day(Wednesday, 02 September 2020 11:00)
Over the course of the last three years I have worked exclusively with George on the development of my griff, Margaux. I can not recommend George and his facility enough. I have referred multiple
people to his operation since my first visit three years ago. George's love for dogs, his passion for teaching, and his authenticity are truly a breathe of fresh air. My dog LOVES when she gets to
see George, and I too am excited, as he always treats you like family. I feel so fortunate to have found George in the beginning of my griff journey, and to now call him a friend. You my friend are a
class act!
Cheers,
Levi
#21
Faith Anderson(Wednesday, 01 July 2020 13:53)
We just had our first training session with George this morning and it was an incredible experience! We’ve watched all of the YouTube videos, but training with him first hand was great! It’s crazy
how in sync with my pup he was after just meeting! He definitely is passionate and it’s evident that he truly loves what he does. George had Harper pointing, the first try, she swam across the pond,
sniffed out hidden birds, and this was all in the first session at 5 months old. With what we experienced in just the first training session, I’m beyond excited to see what’s to come!
Thank you George, we’re so excited to be working with you!
#20
Jim Dobbins(Wednesday, 22 April 2020 16:56)
It has been a dream of mine to have an HG Griff puppy from the time I met George ~3 years ago. This Spring my dream was realized and I drove to Idaho to get HG'S Bijou. It is an honor and a privilege
to have one of George's dogs.
George is a passionate life-long upland game and waterfowl hunter with extensive experience raising and training hunting dogs. His skills and the loving relationship he has with his dogs are
something to behold. His dogs are phenomenal in the field and cherished companions in his home.
Anyone who has researched Wire Haired Pointing Griffons, understands the breed characteristics, and wants a versatile hunting dog that is great in the field and a loving companion in their home could
do no better than having a Griff from the George DeCosta's Hunting Griff lines.
#19
Steve(Monday, 23 March 2020 14:35)
Hello, I have a 7 month old WPG and am new to the upland dogs. I am receiving occasional help from a gun dog trainer out here in AZ. I recently found and subscribed to your YouTube videos. Thanks for
the great videos. Do you or can you add a video on “heel” training?
Thanks
#18
Pat and Katie Midyett(Friday, 20 March 2020 08:32)
After several years of research and waiting for the right time to bring our first griff into our family, we had built up pretty high expectations and a clear vision of what we were looking for in our
new family member. We decided George and The Hunting Griff were a perfect fit to make that a reality. All of those expectations have been exceeded! George's knowledge and passion for these versatile
dogs is unsurpassed. This is clearly reflected in the care he takes through the breeding process and in placing each individual pup in the perfect hunting home. We are grateful to have been selected
to join The Hunting Griff family and are beyond impressed with the little girl he placed in our hunting home!
#17
Aaron and Morgan Poloni(Wednesday, 19 February 2020 08:04)
As soon as my wife and I met George, Cota and CK we knew that this was the right fit for us. George is a class act with a ton of experience breeding, raising and training hunting dogs. George was
very concerned with the type of home his puppy would be going to which showed us how deeply he cares for his dogs. I couldn’t give higher praises and recommend The Hunting Griff 100%!
#16
Erland Williams jr(Monday, 17 February 2020 23:48)
If you are looking for a new hunting partner and an amazing dog. George is the only person I can recommend. His knowledge of the breed and ability to raise great dogs is his passion. I consider
myself very lucky to have one of his dogs in my home.
#15
Pat Linscheid(Monday, 09 September 2019 10:10)
I was referred to George through a neutral friends and we met shortly after that with my Weimaraner Ripp to do some training. With his knowledge of Versatile hunting dogs and training he worked with
I and Ripp and we got a 112 prize 1 on the NAVHDA NA test. We will be seeing more or George as we get ready for our UPT and UT tests in the future. George has a way with dogs Ripp just loves him and
he explains things and is very patient with whoever he works with. I can’t give this guy enough props. Thanks for everything George.
#14
Brian Munson(Saturday, 22 December 2018 18:04)
I was looking for a griff for awhile. I hadn’t found a breeder I felt comfortable with until I contacted George. He is very committed to doing right by his dogs in placing them as well as setting the
new pup owners up for success. He is a wealth of information in training techniques. You can tell he really loves what he does.
Now on to the pups. Ours, Huck, is very well mannered. He has been easy to train the basics and we are now working on refining his skills. He has a great nose and a soft mouth. He is ready to hunt
ant time I am. Aside from that, he is also a great family dog. My wife was nervous about a pointer, as her experience had been they were very high strung. Huck is even tempered and well behaved. I
know I will get another pup in the next few years and hope George will have a litter available.
#13
Ross Lemons(Monday, 20 August 2018 09:43)
I was in the market for a griffon for 3 years before I made the commitment to buy my new pup. I used these three years searching for a strong pedigree and a breeder that shares the same drive I do
when it comes to hunting and the unconditional love a dog provides a family with. George is that guy. I have the upmost respect for the hunting griff and their dedication to placing these pups with
hunting families. These dogs were meant to hunt and have an incredible drive to do so. The pup I got from George (Flint), is 9 weeks old now. The natural ability of this pup at this age is
incredible. His nose is one of the best noses I've ever seen on a dog. I haven't started any formal training because it is far too early but he has already tracked a pheasant wing to numerous hidden
locations and instinctively given multiple sight and scent points. We have been doing 10-15 soft retrieves down a hallway since we got home and he is getting to the point where he searches for my
hand now consistently. I have no doubt that Flint will be a brag dog in the field someday and can enthusiastically recommend George and his family as a breeder for Wirehaired Pointing Griffons.
Thank You George. It has been a pleasure working with you and was a joy meeting you, June, CK and Cota...
#12
David Borges(Friday, 21 July 2017 11:55)
Couldn't have gotten a better breeder. George and his family have given me an awesome puppy, best friend and soon to be hunting partner. You will not meet a more passionate, responsible and
knowledgeable breeder then George. This dog is extremely intelligent and I cant wait to start hunting with her. These are born and bred hunting dogs and I couldn't be happier with mine shes already
catching on.
Dave Borges
7074168847
#11
Michael Brewton(Wednesday, 19 July 2017 21:22)
Submitted by: Michael Brewton on Jul 19, 2017
George DeCosta's knowledge and experience regarding versatile hunting dogs is surpassed only by his passion for Wirehaired Pointing Griffons and more specifically hunting griffs.
After considerable research and waiting for the appropriate time to choose a new hunting dog, I chose to go with George for my new pup.
George went above and beyond throughout the entire process, from breeder/new family interview and selection, to the follow up after receiving my new pup, he has been a joy to work with.
If you are serious about a well bred hunting dog, contact George DeCosta at the hunting griff.
#10
Andrea & Garrett Matt(Tuesday, 30 August 2016 13:16)
We got lucky and discovered The Hunting Griff/George about 8 months ago in our long search for the best WPG breeder around. We connected with several other breeders and there was NO ONE like George.
When we found him, we knew right away he was the person we wanted to get our pup from, no matter how long it took. We just brought our little Murphy home 1 month ago from George's most recent litter
of 10 pups (summer of 2016). George and his family are not just a breeder, they give their heart, soul, time and every ounce of energy they have to raising the most incredible puppies for people all
over the US. Our little Murphy was already 85% potty trained, very well socialized with tons of people and birds, eating his food great, and literally the most loving little addition to our family.
We have since spent time with George, his family and his WPG's - we feel so blessed to have met George and his family and even more blessed that our little Murphy spent some of his most important and
formative weeks and months in George's care and home. Thank you, George! We are forever grateful to you for our amazing Griff! Murphy has changed our lives forever!
#9
Kristin Wilson(Sunday, 28 August 2016 17:21)
In my family there are 2 of George DeCosta's Wirehaired Pointing Griffons. The 2 year old female has the sweetest disposition and is loyal as can be. The new 3 month old puppy is no different. George
is not a regular breeder, the time and effort that he puts into his litters shines through with his pups. He devotes his life to giving these dogs the best possible start in life. The early bird
skills and swimming lessons are a wonderful bonus for these future hunters! The puppies are not only lucky to start their lives with George but they are also fully support by George's wife and sons.
The puppies were so well socialized that we had zero problems introducing our pup from anyone from babies to the elderly.
I feel very lucky and thankful that we have come across this special breeder :)
#8
Cynthia Erb(Tuesday, 22 September 2015 23:01)
George DeCosta's skill as a trainer isn't limited to the Griffs. I am the owner of 2 spirited German Shorthaired Pointers Lebeau (m2 1/2, Tosca f10 mo.), and as a first time hunter & hunting dog
owner I was really overwhelmed by the training.
My dogs come from the Hege Haus line of GSP's and they have amazing raw talent, but needed guidance. I had floundered through various trainers and AKC Junior Hunting events with Lebeau, and while he
did achieve his JH, he had picked up the bad habit of pouncing on birds rather than holding a point. I felt that trying to change him was hopeless.
While attending a NAVHDA event where my older pup Lebeau was running in the NA test, I had the pleasure of meeting George and Cota. I saw right away that Cota and George had a very unique connection
characterized by mutual respect and affection. I told George about my problems with Lebeau's bird pouncing and we set up a series of training sessions to tackle the bad habits. You may or may not
have ever experienced a dog training miracle, but let me assure you that with George's guidance, expertise and genuine love of the dogs, he took Lebeau from being a bird pouncer to becoming a truly
finished dog who works the field, points, holds the point steady to flush and then retrieves to hand. He comes to a whistle command and heels like he's glued to your side. I can honestly say that
with Georges training my pups, while still a work in progress, will now live up to their wonderful heritage of well trained and talented hunting dogs.
A final note is how George really focuses on the relationship and bond you create with your dog. We all know the pleasure of having a dog - but the depth of relationship when you and your dog are
connected by a genuine communication and shared experience is rare. With George's training and guidance I now have the opportunity to have this deep connection.
It has been a distinct pleasure working with George DeCosta training my Griff, Josey. Though she comes from a different breeder (Whiskeytown Sporting Dogs), George has been very generous in sharing
his years of experience, skills, and devotion to hunting dogs with us. As a result we achieved a NAVHDA NA P1 (110 points) this August. George has the rare ability to read dogs and tailor training
for the dog's breed characteristics, individual temperament, and stage of development.
During our training I've watched George working with Cota. They are a remarkable team. Cota is an amazing dog and what one can hope to aspire to with one's own dog.
George has a love for dogs and deep insight about them. He loves dogs as much as anyone I've known and the dogs in turn love him. If my hands weren't already full with Josey I'd have my hat in the
ring for one of George's future pups. George's big heart and generosity are reflected in his breeding program. Anyone getting one of these dogs or having the opportunity to train with him will be
fortunate indeed.
#6
Mark Matteson(Friday, 11 September 2015 05:13)
I met George while training for the NAVHDA invitational. He was a great training partner and provided me some excellent tips to work through some difficulties we were having.
I saw first hand what a great dog Cota is. If you are thinking of getting a Griff or working with George on training, I highly recommend it. You won't be sorry.
#5
Joe and Andie Vigil(Tuesday, 10 February 2015 00:26)
It has been an upmost privilege of having George Decosta as the breeder that our pup came from, and it was pure luck being a last minute family to be given one of these pups from Cota and Gus' first
litter. From day one of having any interaction with George, it was and continues to be a superior experience. George is professional, responsive, experienced, knowledgable, and most importantly in
our eyes, loving and kind and caring. He absolutely poured his heart and soul into this breeding, Cota and Gus and all puppies, like I imagine he will do with any and all future breedings. We made
the 19 hour drive from Denver, CO to his home, where we were welcomed with a BBQ and drinks and a serenade by George himself, and were sent home with some delicious smoked salmon and the most
magnificent pup. From the moment we got Einstein home, we was instinctive, smart, strong and stunningly confident. House breaking was a breeze, and he is mastering most basic commands at 5 and a half
months. Watching him point out of pure instinct is thrilling, and he is absolutely tireless when it comes to retrieving. We can't wait to see how his upcoming training and natural ability test goes,
but we have no doubt he will be awesome. Our one huge disappointment is that George does not live closer, as he is such a valuable resource in this entire process as a whole, and it goes without
saying that he was a main tool in producing these top of the line pups, and last but not least, George is an overall great guy.
After browsing the Web sites for about a year and a half, and contacting a number of breaders, I got a hols of George. He informed me that the litter was spoken for, but if I wanted I could be on the
list for puppy number 10, assuming the litterms had 10. My son and I made the 4.5 hour drive up there to meet George and Cota, as well as Gus. George is a charming man who loves the Griffons bread. I
own a German Shorthair Pointer and a Hungarian Visalia which I hunt qual,dove, duck and goose with. I told him the Visalia is getting older and I'm looking for a new dog to bring into my little pack.
Being the Griffons lover he is, he had all the answers to all of my breed questions. And being the proud owner of one of the most behaved bird dogs I have ever had the pleasure of seeing, I new he
was the breeder I wanted to deal with. The lucky day came for myself and my family when Cota had ten puppies and I got the call that we were getting a Griffon. The entire time, from the birth of our
puppy to the pickup George was on top of every detail and informed the proud owners with constant email updates. I must say that our pickup day was bitter sweet, as George, being the caring man he
is, got a bit chocked up prior to my son and I driving home with our puppy. It's my heart felt opinion that those of us who got puppies from George are blessed by the experience of having him as the
breeder we delt with. We will be forever grateful to George and his family for enriching our lives by being the care givers of our new family member.
#3
Matt Roster(Saturday, 01 November 2014 12:54)
My experience has been outstanding with George DeCosta. After speaking with many breeders about getting a Wire-haired Pointing Griffon, George @ The Hunting Griff was the obvious choice. George and I
spoke for quite a while the first time in regards to getting a dog. He honestly cared about who and where his puppies were going. I was lucky enough to get one of the last pups available. The
breeding happened several months later, and pick up was some time after that. During this time period, I received regular e-mails and updates in regards to everything related to the dogs. George kept
us posted on Cota and Gus's NAVHDA testing along with vet exams before the breeding. Cota's pregnancy was well documented, and George monitored her very carefully the entire time. When the puppies
were born there were constant updates and photos of the puppies. George's high level of training knowledge expanding over 30 years helped decide which pup was best for us. We drove from Tacoma, WA to
the bay area in California to pick up our new addition to our family. The amount of care that George's family put into the care of the puppies in their home was exceptional. The whole family took
park in raising these puppies until they were released to their new owners. My puppy was already socialized with people, kids, other animals, and she was somewhat potty trained. The best part is that
the first day we got her home, she was not afraid of any noise (not gun shy by any means). She was also very birdy in regards to her interest in the scented bumper and grouse wing from the very
beginning. I'm looking forward to years of training and field work with my new puppy. I can't thank George enough for choosing us as a family for one of his puppies. You will not find a Breeder with
more care for his Dog and puppies than George @ The Hunting Griff.
#2
Ken Parish(Thursday, 30 October 2014 18:07)
I had just lost a German Wirehair Pointer to cancer and started looking for a new dog when I found George. I contacted him through his website and he phoned me right away even though I live in
Canada. We had a long and wonderful talk and I decided right then to wait as it turned out quite a few months for a new puppy. I am sure glad I waited and didn't rush out and get the first dog
available. George and his family are first class people that love dogs and hunting them. I have just picked up a beautiful female Griff and already love her to death. I didn't get to come and see the
litter so George asked me what I wanted in a dog and gave a choice of two. The one I picked has markings similar to my wirehair and she is a going concern just like he was. I just could not be
happier.
Thanks again George---Ken
#1
Chris and Jessie Jellison(Thursday, 30 October 2014 10:07)
George and his family have been great to deal from the beginning of our journey to have a Griffon. I came across George when I started looking for a Griffon puppy. He has been amazing to deal with
from start to finish. From the first introductive phone call I placed to George I knew he was a guy that was very passionate and loving about his Griffons. He kept us in the loop and advised of all
of the details of the litter and selection. We even relied on him to evaluate and suggest what gender would be best for us. We looked forward to his weekly update son the puppies and their status. We
even went to his house and he allowed us to visit with all of the puppies before we selected our little bundle of joy. Once you talk to George you realize he is a man with passion and integrity and
loves his Griffon. It’s also great George helps our veterans with organizing hunts and giving a military discount. I absolutely recommend George and his family if you have any future plans of owning
one of his puppies. Once you talk to him you will get the same sense of compassion, trust and love he has for the breed. I know my wife and I absolutely love our little Griffon.
Click on Gus and Cota below to see our Facebook page The Hunting Griff, Wirehaired Pointing Griffons. See pictures of puppies, our Griffs on the hunt, training
and testing.
George DeCosta, Jr.
decotag04@gmail.com
208-740-0080
For information on training your puppy or dog contact George at:
Tim O'Leary (Tuesday, 22 March 2022 08:41)
My 9 month old Griff pup and I recently worked with George and it was time well spent. I appreciate George's style and method of working with dogs as he really connects with both dog and owner. It was hard to get my pup to go back home with me. George knows how to bring out the natural instincts in a dog without diminishing their hunting drive. George loves his work and it shows.
Wayne Morrow (Wayne.morrow@gmail.com) (Friday, 11 February 2022 16:26)
George:
Like you, I’ve loved and lived with a variety of pups. And as I gather a little wisdom I begin to understand how too often a certain behavioral rigidity and rote thinking has been running my sincerely good intentions.
I recently read your Old Dogs article in Versatile Hunting Dog - and found myself deeply moved.
I’m currently reading Tips and Tails - and at night as I drifting off I find myself savoring your teachings and developing my Amazon rave review.
Suffice to say, I appreciate what you’re sharing and how you’re going about saying it: an Invaluable Heads Up about the critical important of paying attention, and listening: loving our dog rather than our ego.
Today I came upon a article summarizing a very recent long term study of the negative impact that certain very controlling preschool programs have on kids, and was in that way reminded of the critical importance of paying attention and guiding with a gentle hand.
When you write the next edition of your book, please consider reminding your reader that perhaps the pups who appear to react badly to being overworked, pushed too hard too soon are ‘the canary in our coal mine’.
Great Work, George. Thank you for sharing this fundamental truth along with the tools to teach cooperative canine/humankind communication.
Wayne
Dan Brodkey (Friday, 01 October 2021 10:51)
Over the last 25+ years, I have owned and run 5 dogs (3 different short haired pointing breeds) and over the last 10 years I've focused only on rescued dogs. I have worked with fine trainers in several states, but have especially enjoyed working with George at his ranch. Rescues present a particular training challenge - their backgrounds are usually unknown - and George has been methodical and careful as we introduced my new GSP female to birds and gunshot. She is well on the way to becoming a terrific partner, really gratifying given her history as a rescue dog. Deep thanks to George for his knowledge, experience and love of dogs!
keith (Tuesday, 28 September 2021 13:13)
Worked with George today who was so accommodating so close to hunting season. Such a nice guy with knowledge consistent with his years of training dogs. He had a gentle easy way of relating to my Griff and explained all without attitude or ego. He answered all my questions and gave me easy to follow instructions to allow me to continue my training independently. I have had experiences with 3 other trainers throughout the years and George outshines them all! I will definitely be returning , and would reccommend George to anyone for training any breed.
Mike Modica (Friday, 27 August 2021 10:21)
Spent a Saturday morning with George at his ranch last weekend. My son expressed interest in bird hunting and a mutual friend put us in touch. George is a class act - he took time out of his weekend to let us see his dogs work, give us an overview of bird hunting, dog training, his property. All of this while making connections with both of my kids that got them excited and interested. Could not thank you more, George! Look forward to seeing you again.
Steve Sauer (Thursday, 12 August 2021 14:45)
I just got home from an amazing week in the great northwest and now have time to reflect on our great adventure. First and foremost was the unbelievable dog training seminar. I wanted to start by saying my father, Dash and myself would like to say THANK YOU to you, your staff/family/friends, and all the presenters. Thanks for letting us: be a part of such an amazing event, letting us use your beautiful land, training facility, equipment, all your knowledge, tips and TIME including all the behind the scenes work and HOURS to make such a great event run so smoothly.
Thanks to yourself and everyone else including but not limited too: George (amazing dog trainer), Dr. Baxter (great Veterinarian), Levi (outdoor and fitness guru), Family/Friends (Marlene, Tom, Kate, all are amazing behind the scene helpers and GREAT chefs, who never get all the notoriety they deserve). I want you all to know that I believe I speak for most of us, but certainly myself when I say you all are much more than your titles, you all are WONDERFUL people! You all took so much of your personal time from your busy lives and family to put on such a great event in hopes to help us learn and have a great time. I want you all to know you definitely succeeded as I know I learned a lot, but more importantly you all inspired me to continue to create a better BOND and hopefully better train my 4 legged family member.
I believe you all did this by showing your true colors on how much you care for and love your hunting dogs. Some of my more memorable moments include but are not limited too: your heart felt stories of some of the dogs you’ve been fortunate enough to be a part of. It was great to see a dog trainer with so much love for all the dogs, I am truly inspired. Thanks for sharing stories that brought you to tears. I believe you hit the nail on the head when you said unfortunately we do not get enough time on Earth with these amazing creatures. Also, thanks for Levi’s and Dr. Baxters amazing presentations and stories. Levi has me awe-inspired as such an adventurous outdoorsman. Others include the wonderful dog work with the younger/timid Griff at the pond (amazing to watch such a HUGE transformation take place right in front of my eyes), the amazing EXCITEMENT and work of Margaux (the hunting Legend), the perfect dog work of CK all weekend long, and the amazing hand signal work of Momma Cota. Thanks again to all for your time and efforts. I recommend this awesome event to every bird dog lover. I feel very fortunate to have been able to attend this awesome event.
Trish & Tom Kieckhafer (Monday, 19 July 2021 16:18)
We were some of the lucky few to attend George’s “ Train the Trainer” seminar this weekend. The format, presentations, demonstrations, and sharing between owners was inspiring and incredible. We learned so many nuances to training, care and testing that our minds are still processing it all a day later. Truly truly one of the best experiences of my life.
Luke VandenBrink (Monday, 24 May 2021 12:58)
Gus (my almost 3 year WPG) and I came to train with George at his Bird Dog Paradise in ID. We were training on a session by session basis, focused around reestablishing Gus's point. Being a novice dog trainer, and upland hunter, I had done everything wrong in terms of getting Gus to hold point. He had developed a bad case of "chase that bird or anything else that moves to the next county". He also hunted a lot of waterfowl before becoming a proficient upland dog. We ended up doing 4 sessions and by the end of the 4th he held point for over 2 minutes and only broke once we flushed the bird. Could not be more pleased with my experience with George as well as the results. He is passionate about bird dogs, training, but also was willing to help train me (the most difficult part of the process) would highly recommend him as a trainer and person.
Dennis Daw (Tuesday, 24 November 2020 10:46)
Agi is hunting and pointing like a champ, and I owe it to George and his amazing skills. I worked with George in September and he helped me bring out the natural hunting instinct my dog had. Now instead of running around like she has no idea what to do, she is pointing birds that other dogs have missed. This past weekend my son and I were hunting a WMA. It was pretty busyl. We came into an opening and there were three other hunters all with dogs that had just walked through the area. We waited a couple of minutes to let them get further away and then cut across the field to go in a different direction. Agi locked up on a pheasant that all three of those other dogs had missed. Thanks George, it is very rewarding to watch my dog perform.
Christian Hansen (Sunday, 27 September 2020 22:35)
I am a first-time gun dog owner who hunts upland and waterfowl. I brought my 13 month-old Pudelpointer to George DeCosta in August to get him ready for his NAVHDA Natural Ability (NA) test and first hunting season.
Training with George has been an amazing learning experience. He constructed a training plan based on my interests and my dog's needs. We finished my dog's gunfire introduction, including shooting birds over him. We went through drills to prepare us for the three parts of the NA test. These drills worked on improving my dog's searching, steadiness on point, tracking and general cooperation. I was astounded at how quickly my Pudelpointer learned and progressed; he showed improvement with nearly every drill. George also worked on my handler skills, showing me how to evaluate my dog's performance, interpret his body language, handle him on point (approach, body positioning, flushing the bird) and how to get him consistently into the water.
George DaCosta is a dynamic and experienced trainer who knows how to train gun dogs and their handlers. He has a tremendous store of gun dog, hunting and NAVHDA test knowledge and is happy to share it. He has a great facility with fields and ponds that often used for NAVHDA testing. I highly recommend training with him.
Dennis Daw (Thursday, 03 September 2020 15:35)
I have a three and half year old griff that I have been attempting to train myself, and I have been struggling with getting my dog to point birds. I swallowed my pride and reached out to George. He was very patient with all my questions. I have been training with George for several weeks now and the progress is absolutely amazing. George's knowledge of how to train a dog is amazing. Even more impressive than that his patience and help with training me. In a few short weeks he has transitioned my dog from a really good companion to a working field dog, that doubles as a good companion. George is amazing and I highly recommend him for your dog training needs.
Levi Day (Wednesday, 02 September 2020 11:00)
Over the course of the last three years I have worked exclusively with George on the development of my griff, Margaux. I can not recommend George and his facility enough. I have referred multiple people to his operation since my first visit three years ago. George's love for dogs, his passion for teaching, and his authenticity are truly a breathe of fresh air. My dog LOVES when she gets to see George, and I too am excited, as he always treats you like family. I feel so fortunate to have found George in the beginning of my griff journey, and to now call him a friend. You my friend are a class act!
Cheers,
Levi
Faith Anderson (Wednesday, 01 July 2020 13:53)
We just had our first training session with George this morning and it was an incredible experience! We’ve watched all of the YouTube videos, but training with him first hand was great! It’s crazy how in sync with my pup he was after just meeting! He definitely is passionate and it’s evident that he truly loves what he does. George had Harper pointing, the first try, she swam across the pond, sniffed out hidden birds, and this was all in the first session at 5 months old. With what we experienced in just the first training session, I’m beyond excited to see what’s to come!
Thank you George, we’re so excited to be working with you!
Jim Dobbins (Wednesday, 22 April 2020 16:56)
It has been a dream of mine to have an HG Griff puppy from the time I met George ~3 years ago. This Spring my dream was realized and I drove to Idaho to get HG'S Bijou. It is an honor and a privilege to have one of George's dogs.
George is a passionate life-long upland game and waterfowl hunter with extensive experience raising and training hunting dogs. His skills and the loving relationship he has with his dogs are something to behold. His dogs are phenomenal in the field and cherished companions in his home.
Anyone who has researched Wire Haired Pointing Griffons, understands the breed characteristics, and wants a versatile hunting dog that is great in the field and a loving companion in their home could do no better than having a Griff from the George DeCosta's Hunting Griff lines.
Steve (Monday, 23 March 2020 14:35)
Hello, I have a 7 month old WPG and am new to the upland dogs. I am receiving occasional help from a gun dog trainer out here in AZ. I recently found and subscribed to your YouTube videos. Thanks for the great videos. Do you or can you add a video on “heel” training?
Thanks
Pat and Katie Midyett (Friday, 20 March 2020 08:32)
After several years of research and waiting for the right time to bring our first griff into our family, we had built up pretty high expectations and a clear vision of what we were looking for in our new family member. We decided George and The Hunting Griff were a perfect fit to make that a reality. All of those expectations have been exceeded! George's knowledge and passion for these versatile dogs is unsurpassed. This is clearly reflected in the care he takes through the breeding process and in placing each individual pup in the perfect hunting home. We are grateful to have been selected to join The Hunting Griff family and are beyond impressed with the little girl he placed in our hunting home!
Aaron and Morgan Poloni (Wednesday, 19 February 2020 08:04)
As soon as my wife and I met George, Cota and CK we knew that this was the right fit for us. George is a class act with a ton of experience breeding, raising and training hunting dogs. George was very concerned with the type of home his puppy would be going to which showed us how deeply he cares for his dogs. I couldn’t give higher praises and recommend The Hunting Griff 100%!
Erland Williams jr (Monday, 17 February 2020 23:48)
If you are looking for a new hunting partner and an amazing dog. George is the only person I can recommend. His knowledge of the breed and ability to raise great dogs is his passion. I consider myself very lucky to have one of his dogs in my home.
Pat Linscheid (Monday, 09 September 2019 10:10)
I was referred to George through a neutral friends and we met shortly after that with my Weimaraner Ripp to do some training. With his knowledge of Versatile hunting dogs and training he worked with I and Ripp and we got a 112 prize 1 on the NAVHDA NA test. We will be seeing more or George as we get ready for our UPT and UT tests in the future. George has a way with dogs Ripp just loves him and he explains things and is very patient with whoever he works with. I can’t give this guy enough props. Thanks for everything George.
Brian Munson (Saturday, 22 December 2018 18:04)
I was looking for a griff for awhile. I hadn’t found a breeder I felt comfortable with until I contacted George. He is very committed to doing right by his dogs in placing them as well as setting the new pup owners up for success. He is a wealth of information in training techniques. You can tell he really loves what he does.
Now on to the pups. Ours, Huck, is very well mannered. He has been easy to train the basics and we are now working on refining his skills. He has a great nose and a soft mouth. He is ready to hunt ant time I am. Aside from that, he is also a great family dog. My wife was nervous about a pointer, as her experience had been they were very high strung. Huck is even tempered and well behaved. I know I will get another pup in the next few years and hope George will have a litter available.
Ross Lemons (Monday, 20 August 2018 09:43)
I was in the market for a griffon for 3 years before I made the commitment to buy my new pup. I used these three years searching for a strong pedigree and a breeder that shares the same drive I do when it comes to hunting and the unconditional love a dog provides a family with. George is that guy. I have the upmost respect for the hunting griff and their dedication to placing these pups with hunting families. These dogs were meant to hunt and have an incredible drive to do so. The pup I got from George (Flint), is 9 weeks old now. The natural ability of this pup at this age is incredible. His nose is one of the best noses I've ever seen on a dog. I haven't started any formal training because it is far too early but he has already tracked a pheasant wing to numerous hidden locations and instinctively given multiple sight and scent points. We have been doing 10-15 soft retrieves down a hallway since we got home and he is getting to the point where he searches for my hand now consistently. I have no doubt that Flint will be a brag dog in the field someday and can enthusiastically recommend George and his family as a breeder for Wirehaired Pointing Griffons.
Thank You George. It has been a pleasure working with you and was a joy meeting you, June, CK and Cota...
David Borges (Friday, 21 July 2017 11:55)
Couldn't have gotten a better breeder. George and his family have given me an awesome puppy, best friend and soon to be hunting partner. You will not meet a more passionate, responsible and knowledgeable breeder then George. This dog is extremely intelligent and I cant wait to start hunting with her. These are born and bred hunting dogs and I couldn't be happier with mine shes already catching on.
Dave Borges
7074168847
Michael Brewton (Wednesday, 19 July 2017 21:22)
Submitted by: Michael Brewton on Jul 19, 2017
George DeCosta's knowledge and experience regarding versatile hunting dogs is surpassed only by his passion for Wirehaired Pointing Griffons and more specifically hunting griffs.
After considerable research and waiting for the appropriate time to choose a new hunting dog, I chose to go with George for my new pup.
George went above and beyond throughout the entire process, from breeder/new family interview and selection, to the follow up after receiving my new pup, he has been a joy to work with.
If you are serious about a well bred hunting dog, contact George DeCosta at the hunting griff.
Andrea & Garrett Matt (Tuesday, 30 August 2016 13:16)
We got lucky and discovered The Hunting Griff/George about 8 months ago in our long search for the best WPG breeder around. We connected with several other breeders and there was NO ONE like George. When we found him, we knew right away he was the person we wanted to get our pup from, no matter how long it took. We just brought our little Murphy home 1 month ago from George's most recent litter of 10 pups (summer of 2016). George and his family are not just a breeder, they give their heart, soul, time and every ounce of energy they have to raising the most incredible puppies for people all over the US. Our little Murphy was already 85% potty trained, very well socialized with tons of people and birds, eating his food great, and literally the most loving little addition to our family. We have since spent time with George, his family and his WPG's - we feel so blessed to have met George and his family and even more blessed that our little Murphy spent some of his most important and formative weeks and months in George's care and home. Thank you, George! We are forever grateful to you for our amazing Griff! Murphy has changed our lives forever!
Kristin Wilson (Sunday, 28 August 2016 17:21)
In my family there are 2 of George DeCosta's Wirehaired Pointing Griffons. The 2 year old female has the sweetest disposition and is loyal as can be. The new 3 month old puppy is no different. George is not a regular breeder, the time and effort that he puts into his litters shines through with his pups. He devotes his life to giving these dogs the best possible start in life. The early bird skills and swimming lessons are a wonderful bonus for these future hunters! The puppies are not only lucky to start their lives with George but they are also fully support by George's wife and sons. The puppies were so well socialized that we had zero problems introducing our pup from anyone from babies to the elderly.
I feel very lucky and thankful that we have come across this special breeder :)
Cynthia Erb (Tuesday, 22 September 2015 23:01)
George DeCosta's skill as a trainer isn't limited to the Griffs. I am the owner of 2 spirited German Shorthaired Pointers Lebeau (m2 1/2, Tosca f10 mo.), and as a first time hunter & hunting dog owner I was really overwhelmed by the training.
My dogs come from the Hege Haus line of GSP's and they have amazing raw talent, but needed guidance. I had floundered through various trainers and AKC Junior Hunting events with Lebeau, and while he did achieve his JH, he had picked up the bad habit of pouncing on birds rather than holding a point. I felt that trying to change him was hopeless.
While attending a NAVHDA event where my older pup Lebeau was running in the NA test, I had the pleasure of meeting George and Cota. I saw right away that Cota and George had a very unique connection characterized by mutual respect and affection. I told George about my problems with Lebeau's bird pouncing and we set up a series of training sessions to tackle the bad habits. You may or may not have ever experienced a dog training miracle, but let me assure you that with George's guidance, expertise and genuine love of the dogs, he took Lebeau from being a bird pouncer to becoming a truly finished dog who works the field, points, holds the point steady to flush and then retrieves to hand. He comes to a whistle command and heels like he's glued to your side. I can honestly say that with Georges training my pups, while still a work in progress, will now live up to their wonderful heritage of well trained and talented hunting dogs.
A final note is how George really focuses on the relationship and bond you create with your dog. We all know the pleasure of having a dog - but the depth of relationship when you and your dog are connected by a genuine communication and shared experience is rare. With George's training and guidance I now have the opportunity to have this deep connection.
Jim Dobbins (Sunday, 20 September 2015 16:52)
It has been a distinct pleasure working with George DeCosta training my Griff, Josey. Though she comes from a different breeder (Whiskeytown Sporting Dogs), George has been very generous in sharing his years of experience, skills, and devotion to hunting dogs with us. As a result we achieved a NAVHDA NA P1 (110 points) this August. George has the rare ability to read dogs and tailor training for the dog's breed characteristics, individual temperament, and stage of development.
During our training I've watched George working with Cota. They are a remarkable team. Cota is an amazing dog and what one can hope to aspire to with one's own dog.
George has a love for dogs and deep insight about them. He loves dogs as much as anyone I've known and the dogs in turn love him. If my hands weren't already full with Josey I'd have my hat in the ring for one of George's future pups. George's big heart and generosity are reflected in his breeding program. Anyone getting one of these dogs or having the opportunity to train with him will be fortunate indeed.
Mark Matteson (Friday, 11 September 2015 05:13)
I met George while training for the NAVHDA invitational. He was a great training partner and provided me some excellent tips to work through some difficulties we were having.
I saw first hand what a great dog Cota is. If you are thinking of getting a Griff or working with George on training, I highly recommend it. You won't be sorry.
Joe and Andie Vigil (Tuesday, 10 February 2015 00:26)
It has been an upmost privilege of having George Decosta as the breeder that our pup came from, and it was pure luck being a last minute family to be given one of these pups from Cota and Gus' first litter. From day one of having any interaction with George, it was and continues to be a superior experience. George is professional, responsive, experienced, knowledgable, and most importantly in our eyes, loving and kind and caring. He absolutely poured his heart and soul into this breeding, Cota and Gus and all puppies, like I imagine he will do with any and all future breedings. We made the 19 hour drive from Denver, CO to his home, where we were welcomed with a BBQ and drinks and a serenade by George himself, and were sent home with some delicious smoked salmon and the most magnificent pup. From the moment we got Einstein home, we was instinctive, smart, strong and stunningly confident. House breaking was a breeze, and he is mastering most basic commands at 5 and a half months. Watching him point out of pure instinct is thrilling, and he is absolutely tireless when it comes to retrieving. We can't wait to see how his upcoming training and natural ability test goes, but we have no doubt he will be awesome. Our one huge disappointment is that George does not live closer, as he is such a valuable resource in this entire process as a whole, and it goes without saying that he was a main tool in producing these top of the line pups, and last but not least, George is an overall great guy.
Mike (Saturday, 22 November 2014 19:03)
After browsing the Web sites for about a year and a half, and contacting a number of breaders, I got a hols of George. He informed me that the litter was spoken for, but if I wanted I could be on the list for puppy number 10, assuming the litterms had 10. My son and I made the 4.5 hour drive up there to meet George and Cota, as well as Gus. George is a charming man who loves the Griffons bread. I own a German Shorthair Pointer and a Hungarian Visalia which I hunt qual,dove, duck and goose with. I told him the Visalia is getting older and I'm looking for a new dog to bring into my little pack. Being the Griffons lover he is, he had all the answers to all of my breed questions. And being the proud owner of one of the most behaved bird dogs I have ever had the pleasure of seeing, I new he was the breeder I wanted to deal with. The lucky day came for myself and my family when Cota had ten puppies and I got the call that we were getting a Griffon. The entire time, from the birth of our puppy to the pickup George was on top of every detail and informed the proud owners with constant email updates. I must say that our pickup day was bitter sweet, as George, being the caring man he is, got a bit chocked up prior to my son and I driving home with our puppy. It's my heart felt opinion that those of us who got puppies from George are blessed by the experience of having him as the breeder we delt with. We will be forever grateful to George and his family for enriching our lives by being the care givers of our new family member.
Matt Roster (Saturday, 01 November 2014 12:54)
My experience has been outstanding with George DeCosta. After speaking with many breeders about getting a Wire-haired Pointing Griffon, George @ The Hunting Griff was the obvious choice. George and I spoke for quite a while the first time in regards to getting a dog. He honestly cared about who and where his puppies were going. I was lucky enough to get one of the last pups available. The breeding happened several months later, and pick up was some time after that. During this time period, I received regular e-mails and updates in regards to everything related to the dogs. George kept us posted on Cota and Gus's NAVHDA testing along with vet exams before the breeding. Cota's pregnancy was well documented, and George monitored her very carefully the entire time. When the puppies were born there were constant updates and photos of the puppies. George's high level of training knowledge expanding over 30 years helped decide which pup was best for us. We drove from Tacoma, WA to the bay area in California to pick up our new addition to our family. The amount of care that George's family put into the care of the puppies in their home was exceptional. The whole family took park in raising these puppies until they were released to their new owners. My puppy was already socialized with people, kids, other animals, and she was somewhat potty trained. The best part is that the first day we got her home, she was not afraid of any noise (not gun shy by any means). She was also very birdy in regards to her interest in the scented bumper and grouse wing from the very beginning. I'm looking forward to years of training and field work with my new puppy. I can't thank George enough for choosing us as a family for one of his puppies. You will not find a Breeder with more care for his Dog and puppies than George @ The Hunting Griff.
Ken Parish (Thursday, 30 October 2014 18:07)
I had just lost a German Wirehair Pointer to cancer and started looking for a new dog when I found George. I contacted him through his website and he phoned me right away even though I live in Canada. We had a long and wonderful talk and I decided right then to wait as it turned out quite a few months for a new puppy. I am sure glad I waited and didn't rush out and get the first dog available. George and his family are first class people that love dogs and hunting them. I have just picked up a beautiful female Griff and already love her to death. I didn't get to come and see the litter so George asked me what I wanted in a dog and gave a choice of two. The one I picked has markings similar to my wirehair and she is a going concern just like he was. I just could not be happier.
Thanks again George---Ken
Chris and Jessie Jellison (Thursday, 30 October 2014 10:07)
George and his family have been great to deal from the beginning of our journey to have a Griffon. I came across George when I started looking for a Griffon puppy. He has been amazing to deal with from start to finish. From the first introductive phone call I placed to George I knew he was a guy that was very passionate and loving about his Griffons. He kept us in the loop and advised of all of the details of the litter and selection. We even relied on him to evaluate and suggest what gender would be best for us. We looked forward to his weekly update son the puppies and their status. We even went to his house and he allowed us to visit with all of the puppies before we selected our little bundle of joy. Once you talk to George you realize he is a man with passion and integrity and loves his Griffon. It’s also great George helps our veterans with organizing hunts and giving a military discount. I absolutely recommend George and his family if you have any future plans of owning one of his puppies. Once you talk to him you will get the same sense of compassion, trust and love he has for the breed. I know my wife and I absolutely love our little Griffon.