Bearded dragon scared of me

[morgan6123]

So I’ve had Goku since mid august. He’s about 5 1/2 months old. He was always fine with people coming in and out of the room and going up to his enclosure. But recently for the last month or so, he runs into his hide every time he sees somebody, unless he knows it’s time to eat. Some days he does better, but most of the time he will hide. I just don’t understand the drastic change in behavior. I feel like I have to tip toe around him and it’s hard since his enclosure is in my room.
I attached a pictures of him and his enclosure below.
For temps:
Basking spot 101-107F (use a temp gun)
Hot side: 83-86F
Cool side: 71-76F
Stays around 69-72 at night

 

[Sadie]

So I’ve had Goku since mid august. He’s about 5 1/2 months old. He was always fine with people coming in and out of the room and going up to his enclosure. But recently for the last month or so, he runs into his hide every time he sees somebody, unless he knows it’s time to eat. Some days he does better, but most of the time he will hide. I just don’t understand the drastic change in behavior. I feel like I have to tip toe around him and it’s hard since his enclosure is in my room.
I attached a pictures of him and his enclosure below.
For temps:
Basking spot 101-107F (use a temp gun)
Hot side: 83-86F
Cool side: 71-76F
Stays around 69-72 at night

So hes shedding how long? That could have something to do w/ the behavior --- the basking temps should be taken w/a digital probe thermometer --- IR guns are no good on certain materials especially on hammocks -- they cant read off hammocks-- cool side of the tank should be in 80's at the 70's its too cool for day -- has there been any other animals in the room that may have spooked him --- dog / cat -- I am thinking something has happened in the last month to get this behavior --- the tank is nice and clean

 

[morgan6123]

So hes shedding how long? That could have something to do w/ the behavior --- the basking temps should be taken w/a digital probe thermometer --- IR guns are no good on certain materials especially on hammocks -- they cant read off hammocks-- cool side of the tank should be in 80's at the 70's its too cool for day -- has there been any other animals in the room that may have spooked him --- dog / cat -- I am thinking something has happened in the last month to get this behavior --- the tank is nice and clean

He’s just recently been shedding maybe the last week, but he’s had this behavior before that. He also basks on the wood piece, so the temp gun works well for me with that. I’ve tried the probes but he bites at them and and puffs his beard, he doesn’t like cords and things around his basking spot. He’s kind of a diva haha. There are 2 dogs and a cat, but he’s never had a problem with them before. In fact he actually likes to watch my cat. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened with him so that’s why I’m so confused with his behavior.

 

[morgan6123]

He’s just recently been shedding maybe the last week, but he’s had this behavior before that. He also basks on the wood piece, so the temp gun works well for me with that. I’ve tried the probes but he bites at them and and puffs his beard, he doesn’t like cords and things around his basking spot. He’s kind of a diva haha. There are 2 dogs and a cat, but he’s never had a problem with them before. In fact he actually likes to watch my cat. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened with him so that’s why I’m so confused with his behavior.

I also just added a 75w halogen closer to the cool side to warm that up a little more, I’ll see if that’s makes a difference!

 

[Sadie]

He’s just recently been shedding maybe the last week, but he’s had this behavior before that. He also basks on the wood piece, so the temp gun works well for me with that. I’ve tried the probes but he bites at them and and puffs his beard, he doesn’t like cords and things around his basking spot. He’s kind of a diva haha. There are 2 dogs and a cat, but he’s never had a problem with them before. In fact he actually likes to watch my cat. Nothing out of the ordinary has happened with him so that’s why I’m so confused with his behavior.

Yeah I am not sure then --- he maybe still adjusting to the tank and surroundings - is he on the floor or do you have him up on a dresser/ stand ?

 

[morgan6123]

Yeah I am not sure then --- he maybe still adjusting to the tank and surroundings - is he on the floor or do you have him up on a dresser/ stand ?

He is on a stand now, he was on the floor initially, but he had this behavior then too.

 

[Sadie]

He is on a stand now, he was on the floor initially, but he had this behavior then too.

How long has he been on the stand? Could be relocation stress

 

[morgan6123]

How long has he been on the stand? Could be relocation stress

About 2 weeks, but he acted the same while on the floor, I think he’s gotten a bit better since being on the stand, but still skittish. I’m wondering if maybe it has something to do with prepuberty? He’s the first male I’ve had so I’m not sure how that affects them.

 

[Sadie]

About 2 weeks, but he acted the same while on the floor, I think he’s gotten a bit better since being on the stand, but still skittish. I’m wondering if maybe it has something to do with prepuberty? He’s the first male I’ve had so I’m not sure how that affects them.

It's hard to say - could be personality + I have 2 males completely different-- opposite

 

[morgan6123]

It's hard to say - could be personality + I have 2 males completely different-- opposite

Okay, I’ll just wait it out and see if he gets better, thanks!

 

[Bailey]

There are lots of helpful videos on how to get your beardie acclimated to you.

Hand-feeding is pretty much the main trick as it is a big trust gainer. Its the key to their hearts lol.

 

[morgan6123]

There are lots of helpful videos on how to get your beardie acclimated to you.

Hand-feeding is pretty much the main trick as it is a big trust gainer. Its the key to their hearts lol.

He does hand feed pretty well, and does ask to come out sometimes and will crawl out onto me. If I approach slowly and show him that it’s me then he’s fine. It’s just when people are just moving around in the room in general. It’s so weird and he wasn’t like this at first.

 

[Bailey]

He does hand feed pretty well, and does ask to come out sometimes and will crawl out onto me. If I approach slowly and show him that it’s me then he’s fine. It’s just when people are just moving around in the room in general. It’s so weird and he wasn’t like this at first.

Are there other pets? Maybe move him to a less busy room.

Mine love to watch what is going on around the house so I keep my guy in the living room and he is unbothered.

 

[morgan6123]

Are there other pets? Maybe move him to a less busy room.

Mine love to watch what is going on around the house so I keep my guy in the living room and he is unbothered.

I have 2 dogs and a cat, but he doesn’t mind the dogs and actually enjoys watching the cat. Even if they bark he doesn’t seem to care, it’s only people that scare him. I keep him in my room so it’s mostly just my boyfriend and I in there.

 

[Sadie]

I have 2 dogs and a cat, but he doesn’t mind the dogs and actually enjoys watching the cat. Even if they bark he doesn’t seem to care, it’s only people that scare him. I keep him in my room so it’s mostly just my boyfriend and I in there.

It could be his personality or something has happened to him to traumatize him to where hes running from people-- I dont know