Climbing the log requires skills, muscles, and coordination that are usually developed at a young age. In a young bear the motivation to climb trees is provided by it's natural inclination to explore, play, climb, run, and forage. Motivation to experience these actions dissipates as the animal gets older. If the bear did not have an opportunity to experience climbing a log when it was young, it will have no experience to draw from in later life when the log is presented in its exhibit. Therefore, the bear may lack the motivation and skill required to make full use of the log as an enrichment opportunity.
Training is the tool that can provide motivation, skill, and confidence in the bear.
Training the bear to climb the log is just like training any animal to perform any behavior. Start by envisioning the final behavior and break down each step leading up to that behavior into small steps or successive approximations. Once the bear has accomplished a particular step without hesitation, move on to the next step. In the wild, animals use successive approximations to teach their offspring. A peregrine falcon will drop a dead bird from a thousand feet in the air for it's progeny to catch as it falls to earth.