I have a climbing hydrangea that is 3 years old and almost 6 ft tall, with several laterals. I have trained mine through a trellis--here's a pic:

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Mine also tries to spread across the ground--I just cut them off--I figure keeping them just diverts the plant's energy from growing taller and spreading farther. Since trimming them again this year, I've noticed the laterals are putting on new growth. The lack of growth of your plant may be due to placement or watering or both. My vine gets morning sun and afternoon shade and I water very frequently (every other day at the least.) I recently removed several roses from that trellis--while there, the roses were fertilized regularly, so the vine benefitted from proximity to them. Hope this helps!

Oops-broke my link-here it is again. :)

Climbing hydrangea will only attach to a porous surface - masonry or unpainted wood. The surface has to be occasionally moist and the vine has to rub against the surface. This will trigger the growth of the rootlets that this vine uses to climb. Usually rain and wind do the trick. Since it hasn't in 10 years, I would move it. It is not well situated.