See My Dog Climb Trees [pictures]
69Why My Dog Climbs Trees
My two year old Golden Retriever was showing signs of low self confidence, by always submitting to other dogs. He has a very sweet disposition naturally, but this was something I felt needed to be revised for the sake of his doggy-happiness. I had to think about the best way to motivate this particular dog, provide him with the desire to drive hard and through the tougher portion of the training process. He has always had an affinity towards his Frisbee disc, so that is where I began.
Every day I would begin to toss the Frisbee for my dog harder and faster, requiring him to move with deliberate speed and intention. As he grew in speed and stamina (about a two week period dedicated to just building strength and stamina was maintained. This was to prevent a higher probability of injury from occurring once the dog began to actually climb the tree), I started to place his Frisbee in a low part of an old dead tree in the backyard, just high enough so he could reach it if he stretched for it. Then, as he became more familiar with the game, I would put the Frisbee a little farther up in the tree. Eventually my dog had to jump a bit to reach the disc. Now that he was stronger, retrieving the Frisbee from the tree became the goal. We practiced this initial climb for about an hour until he flew off of the ground and made his way up the side of the tree.
Eventually, I placed the disc far enough up in the tree that the dog had to give a really solid jump in an effort to retrieve the Frisbee. As we went through this process, he began to show an unexpected talent for this game.He can really climb, using his now larger shoulder muscles he conducts a 'doggy pull-up' and can get his fit body up that tree and acquire his tree-branch- perched Frisbee time and time again. We play this tree game several times a week and he just can't wait to get out the back door when he sees me pick up that old Frisbee disc.
My dog's confidence has improved and his mental state is far happier as is evident when we meet new or unfamiliar dogs. He is sure of himself and no longer becomes instantly submissive. He is able to hold his ground and do some of his own sniffing and dominance displays in a wolf-like passive, yet assertive manner, you know, like the big boys do! Now that he has found himself, I expect he will be dating soon and I will have to start considering an adequate mate for my big strong agile AKC Golden Retriever Dog!
DOGS
Tree Climbing Dog [click thumbnails to enlarge images]
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More Tree Climbing [click thumbnails to enlarge images]
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More tree climbing dog [click thumbnails to enlarge images]
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[click thumbnails to enlarge images]
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DOGS
Building Attention (2 min. and 11 sec. video)
Tree Climbing Dog Pull-ups! [click thumbnails to enlarge images]
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Dog Climbing Tree continued [click thumbnails to enlarge images]
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Tree Climbing Improves a Dog's Shoulder Strength
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Getting the frisbee out of the tree improved my dog's confidence in himself
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Comments for "Why My Dog Climbs Trees [pictures]"Loading...
I have some eerily similar pictures of my golden retriever, usually sitting on a tree branch. If no sticks are around on the ground he would grab a tree branch and tug and pull until he got it off of the tree.
we done!
Simply awesome!
Thanks for letting me know Kal is well. He has the most beautiful color. The Retrievers I'm familiar with are much lighter in color: almost blonde. My Baby loves to chase squirrels, too. They taunt her in the yard. Merry Christmas.
HI Mary~ I read your hub on dogs and found it fantastic! I do still have Kal, he is about 3-1/2 years old now, so I am hoping for a long joyous life together. We still play the tree climbing game once in a while. However, his new game of choice has to do with those lightening-quick squirrels that now occupy his Frisbee tree! Thank you so much for stopping by today! I hope Baby and Baily are flourishing in your friendship!
HubHugs~
K9
Hi K9, this is a related Hub to the one I just did on dog health and safety. I'm so glad I read it. What a dog! What a sense of satisfaction you must have to see the results, too. Kal is a beautiful dog. I can't help but wonder if you still have him, since this Hub is not new. Retrievers are wonderful dogs, I understand. I voted this UP, etc.etc.
This is amazing. Another reason why you do not need a cat ;)
K9-I am in awe of your amazing dog. I am so impressed you trained him little by little to climb trees. You sound like such a proud parent as you should. I couldn't help but think your dog should be on stupid pet tricks on David Letterman. I had so much fun checking out your pictures. He is so beautiful. Thanks for making me smile ear to ear:)
Nellieanna~I saw your comment and am hoping you can as well now? Thank you for the return trip, and the added comment! I am always humbled by your visits.
K9
Odd. I left a comment yesterday. My hubtivity even says I did, but I don't see it. I am puzzled!! It was to say your dog is amazing and so is your photography.
Nellieanna~Thank you for such a wonderful comment! I am thrilled you stopped by for a read!
K9
I am so impressed with your dog! I love golden retrievers anyway - and this one really wins the prize! Amazing feat for a dog! He's just wonderful!
Patty~ thank you so much for stopping by for a read. I think my dog is pretty a special guy also. You made me smile with your "his own show' comment! Appreciate your time.
K9
Your dog is quite a guy. He should have his own TV show! Voted up across the board.
Money Glitch~ Thank you for stopping for a read. I think he is a pretty super-dog myself! Good idea about the video, hmmm...
Thank you so much for the comments!
K9
Wow, it's super dog! This is just too cute. You should make a video of this and send it to America's Funniest Videos. The dog truly has talent. :) Thanks for sharing!
MPG~thanks for stopping by to read my humble hub. This was one of the more enjoyable hubs I have written. I had fun spending time with my tree climbing dog, and fun looking at the pictures as I wrote the article. I really appreciate the comments. I sure hope your dog doesn't tell my dog that he could be getting food treats for doing this stuff! he, he!
K9
You dog is too beautiful. Clever too, climbing a tree to get a frisbee, and what perseverance. My dog would probably do it for food but that's about it. Great photos K9.
Eiddwen~ Glad you enjoyed the pictures of my dog tree climbing. It was a fun training set and it realy worked out for my dog. Besides, I got some pretty cute pictures of him climbing! Thank you for your comments, I apprecite the read.
K9
SchoolGirlforreal~Nice to see you again! So happy you found the hub entertaining. I adore Golden Retrievers also and am finding that for the last 2 years that I have had my dog, the breed is very sensitive and loving and, yep, can even climb an old oak tree. I am very pleased to see you today, I think about how you are doing daily. Thanks for the wonderful comments HubBuddy! I'll be by to read some of your new stuff soon, I can't wait to see what fun hubs you have been presenting!
K9
Hi K9 Your dog is beautiful, I love golden retreivers, I always have and I think they're my favorite dog a) they are so beautiful and shiny and soft...b) they have a wonderful temperment and are friendly, not scary like a pit bull and c) they are a nice size, not too large not too small and plenty to hug! cute story you must be quite the dog expert and a very loving Mom to this dog. Nice to see him enjoying life and improving his self esteem. good job
Thank you so much for sharing these photos of your dog, what a star!!! he deserves to be applauded for his perseverance!!!
Absolutely brilliant, take care.
Hi Kim~ Love the new series you have presented here on hubpages; chapter two is awesome! Nice to see you get some time to stop by and take a peek at my tree climbing dog. I have only known of a few dogs that can climb trees, but we are still working on getting hire up in that old oak! Thank you for the comments, I really appreciate it.
K9
Pam! Hi glad to see you. Sorry you had to put your dog down last year, so sad. I hope you find another one that just lights up your life! Our two cats sit and watch the dog climb from the dining room bay windows. They seem to find the tree climbing k9 quite interesting. I am very greatful for your comments Pam and am happy you could stop by.
K9
Sweetiepie~ Thanks for stopping by. I think my dog is pretty cute also! The icon is a K9 eye that I have modified in photoshop (yours and my fav program). I appreciate the comment.
K9
What a beautiful dog! I think that was a suburb idea and it has helped him so much. We don't have a dog right now, just a cat but it makes me want to get another one. We had to put ours to sleep last year. Rated up!
Aww. Your dog IS cool! He has such a pretty coat! And he's so cute! ... ok, enough mushing over your adorable dog. Nice Hub. I didn't know dogs were capable of climbing trees. hehe. That's awesome. Good Hub!
Cute dog! Now I realize your icon is not an owl's eye, but a dog eye!
wordscribe43~ thanks for the comment. Glad you found the hub fun.
K9
Oh my gosh, that's hilarious! What a cool dog. My dog will do almost anything for a floppy disc, but have yet to see him climb a tree. Very cute!
oliversmum Level 3 Commenter 4 months ago
K9keystrokes Hi. What a very handsome guy he is.
Your patience and training has brought out the very best in him, he looks and sounds like a very very happy and healthy dog.
You should be so proud of yourself and him.
I loved reading this story and the photographs are so beautiful.
Thank you for sharing with us.Voted up and awesome.:):)